Reina de las Fabricas: I AM ISIGO...FASHION IN MULTIFARIOUS LANES

African fashion if to be described in one word I would say "Bewildering". Playing on safe grounds and then occasionally testing the waters of complexities and dynamism, African fashion has flourished as a renowned contender in the international fashion word. The tale of tales for African designers has more meaning than the view through a looking glass as designs are not just built around soft edges, delicate silhouettes, couture and ready-to wear creations but leaves an usual hint of surprise and byzantine softness. Complexity in simplicity-Chrite Brown, Deola Sagoe, Mai Atafo, Wanna Sambo among the numerous designers emerging in the multi-faceted continent.

My intrigue with I AM ISIGO lies solely in the dexterity in the expression of themes and life in fabric manipulation. In their recently release Autumn Winter collection 2016 "Come of Age" , pieces are more daring yet delicate with an edge that takes it out of the comfort of a regular ready-to-wear the brand creates. According to the brand on recent release, “The phenomenon of expression without foresight via reflection, how fashion has become an art form that elevates and celebrates the body making it the ultimate canvas.”

It is no surprise of the brand's uniqueness especially when taking into close study previous collection.

Taboo Collection Spring Summer 2015

Taboo Collection Spring Summer 2015 was a very interesting presentation as the pieces were presented in dark power colours still maintaining the expression of femininity while telling the story intended. The pieces are built with a play on materials ranging from crinkled taffeta with elastane, knitted metallic fibres, tape lace, needle lace and Gabardine, to create a series of ponchos, trousers, shorts, bomber jackets and strapless pieces. According to OkayAfrica.com Spring/summer 2015 collection inspired by the Wodaabe (also known as “People of the Taboo), a nomadic Fulani ethnic group in the Sahel known for their elaborate ceremonies and traditional attire. On the inspiration behind Taboo, a description on IAMISIGO’s website explains: “IAMISIGO respectfully pays homage to aspects of the Wodaabe culture deemed ‘TABOO’; from the years of silence taken by married couples after the birth of their first child, to the ‘yaakye’ festival where the men’s songs and dances for the women are rewarded with a show a sexual prowess. ‘TABOO ‘pulls not only from the Wodaabe culture, but also from the contrast it provides to other cultures and what they deem as ‘TABOO’; the taking of new sexual partners, the years of silence between couples, the feminine display from the men, all pull together the collection.”

East To West Autumn Winter 2015/16

The East of West collection tells its tale in contrasts of White and Black, Grey and Silver, Yellow and Gold; done in silk, crepe de chine, cotton-poly blend, light tweeds, cotton twine, polyamide twine and mohair wool.Inspired by parallels between the designer’s youth and the American film Calamity Jane. 1950’s western, that chronicles a young Doris Day who embraces the duality of a masculinity and femininity, first as a ‘tomboy’ and then as a woman in pursuit of love.

The collection has strong western themes, evoking fringed hems, lapels and boxy cuts, embracing the ‘feminine’ art of crochet, the final frontier of truly bespoke clothing with hand-crocheted lattice dresses, flared pants and jackets, with traditional doily patterns exaggerated for effect. The Ultra-feminity and hyper-masculinity contrast and complement each other and ultimately, birth a truly liberated woman, East of West. Its colours and fabrics emphasize this study of contrasts, using twine traditionally prevalent in masculine environments to craft the feminine crocheted pieces. Fringed tops, dresses, jackets and pants in feather light silk and cotton create androgynous silhouettes that both celebrate and satirize the manly stereotypes Westerns have become associated with.

East To West Autumn Winter 2015/16

White Noise Chick Resort 2015

According to the Artistic Director & Owner of the brand, Bubu Ogisi – “Going back 15 to 20 years ago when we sat in front of the non-remote televisions then, waiting for a programme to start all I remembered was staring into the movement of the black pixels and wondering why they were confined to this box“-WHITE NOISET. he collection circles around the free spirited woman who appreciates comfort and style. Monochrome with a judicious uses of the brown colour, I AM ISIGO creates audaciously comfortable and sleek shirt dresses, jump suits, gowns and skirts.

African fashion just got a whole lot audacious...lol, well then, pour me a glass of certified contenders...*clicks