When Le Victoria by Zephans and Co debuted earlier in the year, it did so with a lot of fanfare and a look book headlined by media personality and plus-size sex symbol Taje Prest. At the time, we pegged the label as forward thinking, there are currently only a handful of labels dedicated exclusively to providing interesting options for plus-size women and with the label’s distinct vintage feel, we predicted that they would go very far. One season later, the label has undergone a complete aesthetic overhaul, one we’re not quite sure was a good idea.
The label’s new collection ‘Colour Pop’ (no relation to the international beauty brand) is first of all pretty much the opposite of their debut collection. Gone are the fabulous plus-size silhouettes, the carefully thought out construction and the flattering clothes. Zephans and Co is now very much a size zero label, as evinced by their use of socialite Jessica Ulo as the campaign’s face. The only thing that stays with the label is its partiality to vintage inspired art silks, a trick that two seasons in comes off as tired instead of innovative.
Quite frankly there is nothing new or interesting about off shoulder art silk blouses. There is nothing interesting in that or any of the season’s other trends that the label tries (fails pretty badly) to interpret in their new collection. Save for a pair of full skirted day dresses, that remind you strongly of the sixties, the clothes this season at Le Victoria by Zephans and co are very dated, and really there is nothing worse than clothes that will not last the season.
Maybe Zephans and Co might want to revisit that drawing board and restrategize, cos this most certainly isn’t it.
PHOTO CREDITS
Models: Jessica Ulo @JessicaUlo | Frances Igweonu @FrancesIgweonu
Photography: Olarenwaju Ali @olanrewaju_v
Make-up: Nene Ndukwu @cc_nene
Style direction: @duchesskiki
Contact: Instagram @zephansandco | Store 3 Gani Williams Close Ajao Estate Lagos | Phone Number +2347080782791
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