There were quite a few side showcases at this year’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Johannesburg Spring 17 showcase, geared at providing much needed opportunities for emerging and established labels to reach a different kind of spectator and buyer audience. One of them was the specialized ‘Couture D’Afrique’ showcase that brought designers from all across Africa to debut their new collections on the showcase’s platform. One of them was Nigeria’s Osuare NG.
Three months ago, after a year long hiatus, the label debuted it’s second collection, Spring 16’s Unbroken, which we reviewed here. It was a great sophomore collection that consolidated the brand’s quirk of extensive embroidery and African inspired imagery. Considering the collection came much later than other Spring collections, when we heard the label was invited to show at this year’s showcase, we hoped that maybe they’d already have their fall offerings ready.
They show the same Spring 16 collection when everyone else is showing Spring 17. The labels don’t really matter, but they send a mixed message to potential retailers and buyers. It is great that Osuare is finally getting international recognition, but they have to do it right.
PHOTO CREDITS:
Simon Deiner/SDR Photo
