Thanks to the glamorous after-parties, flashing cameras, and the coming together of the who’s-who of the industry, Fashion Week is a glitzy and exciting spectacle of beauty and entertainment. But for the designers and those working behind the scenes, it can be stressful, and exhausting, owing to the amount of work that goes into it. The logistics involved in putting together a smooth presentation are countless, not to mention the pressure on designers to conceptualize and produce collections that improve on their last and stand out from the rest.
As a mainstay on the annual Lagos Fashion Week schedule, Nigerian designer Cynthia Abila knows this better than most. Passionate about African cultures and the tradition of storytelling that characterizes them, this is something that has long informed her design approach—feminine polish and avant-garde silhouettes. She serves up collections that are fearless and focused, her pieces offering a symphony of bold, ecstatic color imbued with a spirit of youthful whimsy. Mostly made from locally hand-woven cotton in bold colorful patterns indigenous to the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, the brand’s tailored classics, resort wear-inspired jumpsuits, and draped, floor-length dresses are created with women of varying shapes and sizes in mind.
Produced by a predominately female team of artisans, Abila will be showcasing her SS’23 collection on October 29th. In her own words, the designer gives us a glimpse behind the scenes in the lead-up to her SS‘23 show at Lagos Fashion Week.
Cynthia Abila. Photo: via Cynthia Abila
Photo: Masego in a custom Emmy Kasbit ensemble. Via @emmykasbit
Textile weavers. Photo: via Cynthia Abila
Textile weaver. Photo: via Cynthia Abila
Woven textile. Photo: via Cynthia Abila
Cynthia Abila S/S ’22. Photo: via Lagos Fashion Week
Design Sketches. Photo: via Cynthia Abila
Design Sketches. Photo: via Cynthia Abila
Design Sketches. Photo: via Cynthia Abila
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