It was the first time that the Nigerian label Orange Culture showed its collection during Berlin Fashion Week and FÜRST, Kurfüstendamm, was chosen as the location for this occasion. In contrast to high rooms and a very clean architecture, the audience was surprised with a highly emotional, beautiful and detailed collection. The label endeavours to challenge norms and focuses on emotional storytelling in fashion. “In the Shadows” should remind us that healing, honesty and humanity are always in style.
“This collection is for anyone who’s ever felt unseen or misunderstood. It’s a reminder that there’s beauty in the parts of ourselves we hide and that softness, emotion and honesty are revolutionary.” – Founder and Creative Director Adebayo Oke-Lawal
The show therefore demonstrates a raw and tender exploration of the quiet battles many face internally – a tribute to the resilience that exists even when no one is watching. What characterises this show and makes it memorable is its emotional depth and fearless vulnerability. The label believes that clothing is fluid – it should be for everyone and anyone. It is also important to mention that the label not only cares about the look of an outfit, but also about sustainable production. Therefore its pieces are produced with very special care by a team of accurate trained local staff. Furthermore, great importance is attached to the fact that materials are produced in an environmentally conscious manner and that the manufactory produces zero-to-little waste.
The result is an extremely elegant, beautiful, colourful collection in which each look is unique in its own way. The grace and elegance of these sophisticated outfits give the wearers a special strength. To underline this overall impression, layered textiles, custom prints rooted in personal reflection, handmade accessories, and the label’s signature androgynous silhouettes, are applied. In this context this range interprets softness as strength. Each outfit tries to provide an insight into the complexity of existing authentically – even when it’s unseen.
The vibrant colour palette shines in bright pink, magenta, violet, crimson, scarlet, fire engine red, sunset orange, lime and azure blue. The choice of colours is bright and expressive and it aims to reflect the emotional spectrum. Each look is designed in a different colour combination, which makes this collection so exciting. In addition to these very colourful shades, a number of soft, restrained nuances are also used, which contribute to the special elegance of these creations. The designer combines these looks with very delicate make-up in pastel colours and elegant accessories. The specical and varied choice of colours in this collection is particularly memorable.
Sequins, asymmetric cuts, prints that tell stories and fringed details create special eye-catchers and highlights. If you take a closer look at the style, simple cuts are reinterpreted and perfectly match the label’s characteristic androgynous, often playful spirit. One of our favourite creations of this line is the “Adesuwa dress” in ruby red, which is cut at the waist and looks voluminous thanks to ruffles at the bottom. It has a very figure-hugging cut at the top and is embellished with sequins, giving it an air of pure grace and elegance.
The men’s looks are the perfect complement for the contemporary gentleman; modern suits looks worn with a tie are very popular here. In addition, classic shirts, loose-fitting trousers and wide-cut styles are a choice that Orange Culture likes to favour for next season. Casually cut puffer trousers appear in both the men’s and women’s lines. Some of the women’s looks appear more androgynous, whereas some of the men’s looks also play with elements of women’s fashion.
The show is a wonderful tribute to the power of fashion and shows that fashion can do so much more than just dress us. It can heal and connect and show us that values such as honesty, humanity and empathy will never go out of fashion. We hope to welcome Orange Culture to Berlin again during Berlin Fashion Week.
Review by Sussan Zeck for DSCENE Magazine
All Images Courtesy of ©Orange Culture, Photography by Boris Marberg for BFW
