By Tunde Adeoti

Like a picture painted into the tales of time, the medieval era changed the whole ball game by becoming one of the ages when fashion was at its peak—this period spanned from the 5th-15th century. It was a period that laid the groundwork for modern fashion. so many clothes we have in current times like hoods, cloaks, and coats emanated from this era.

The medieval period had such an impact on fashion because, though those times were filled with frigid laws and rules, fashion was birthed amid the chaos. Fashion came in as a mediator using its distinguishing quality of labelling to revolutionise the world. This worked because during those times, a personal sense of fashion detected how you would be addressed or perceived by society and because the individuals of that era gratified the notion of respect dressmaking became quite a big deal.

How did that happen?

Designers of old realised that aside from wanting to look good, individuals used these clothes to showcase status and wealth—of course, no one wanted to be left behind. Soon they began to make dresses and wear that not only highlighted wealth and status but also exuded respect and sophistication. From then on, the demand for fashionable wear boomed causing a new inflow of fashion creators who aimed to create even better designs than what had existed. Through these, clothes like Kirtle, Bliant, Cotte, Tunics, Braises and Doublets were created.

The circle of ‘making better’ became a ritual in the fashion industry with the subsequent inflow of fashion lovers. However, this circle is not a stagnant movement but one that evolves with each year and generation. This is why today; we have outfits that not only capture the essence of the golden ages but also provide trendy styles.
A good instance that validates the above statement can be seen in the Duafe 2023 collection launched by the YAAWAA fashion house. It is a brand that creates distinctive pieces that resonate with modern women and is dedicated to redefining the perception of African fashion by showcasing its depth and variety while maintaining a contemporary edge that appeals to an international audience. With its commitment to inspire confidence and creativity in women, the brand continues to design garments that honour the past while embracing the future. From workwear to everyday basics and elegant occasion pieces, the brand’s designs are quintessentially African in their conceptualisation while remaining relevant to urban, social, and corporate settings.

Ohemaa Yaa Serwaa-Kyerewaa Awuah founded her brand YAWAA in 2019. Ohemaa is a unique fashion designer who through using her skillset has crafted several fashion wears, some as single releases and others as collections. The Duafe 2023 collection is a royal set that contains a variety of delicate yet resonating designs.
The introductory statement of the collection can be found in the first fit, a classic piece known as a maxi gown. Through the image, you can feel the sass, confidence and grace oozing out of the dress because it is one piece created to be a showstopper. It is that ‘hey, look at me. I am fabulous’ kind of dress.

The top area of the dress was made out of a skin-tone fabric also called a nude fabric. this part was designed with a crew neckline and a long sleeve. Due to the upper bodice being made out of transparent net fabric, a floral embroidery was added to the creation to ensure modesty while still being stylish. The dress spans out into a flare with the addition of the lower part of the gown. This part is made with Sequin material with inclusion of gathers stitches by the left side of the dress to create a slanty and wavey appearance. The flared pattern then flows down into a train with a thigh-high slit.

The attributes of the fit make it an awe-worthy piece. Designer Ohemaa with careful assembly of the sequin fabric, floral embroidered and skin tone net was able to achieve a flashy, glamorous and sophisticated look all in one. However, some improvements could be made to make it a majority choice. Though the slit was created to create a bold impression, it can be lowered a bit to below the hip area. This would help to encourage modesty while ‘slaying’. In addition, more floral embroidery can be increased to prevent the lower busts from peeking out of the covering.

What does the sight of this attire bring to your mind?
Can you hear the wedding bells ringing?
This beautiful mermaid dress is a striking attire that can pass off as a wedding dress or be worn for special occasions, such as a ballroom event or a gala night.
The mermaid term used to describe the gown is attributed to the lower part of the dress which resembles a tail but is called a train in fashion. the train on this peculiar dress however is exaggeratedly sprawled out on the floor which gives it that magnificent look. The A-line trait which made the dress into a mermaid outfit started from the knee length of the dress and trailed down. Going up, the dress takes a shaped form around the hip up to the mid-waist where a waistband made out of lining is located. There is a presence of padding or what is sometimes referred to as ‘falsies’ in the chest region. This feature ensures that the dress sits firmly and comfortably in that region, especially as it is an off-shoulder gown.
The fit is a simple but intricate dress that is the dream of many wives-to-be and those who wish to stand out elegantly amongst the crowd. The design was achieved using a floral lace fabric and quality white linen.
Though the dress is no doubt exceptional, a pointer the designer might want to infuse is reducing the train. Understandably, it is one of the highlights of the dress but on occasions where help is not gotten, the wearer could easily get injured from tripping. So instead of making the dress’s train so long, it could be made into a detachable train that can be removed without reducing the overall look of the attire.
The collection closes with a creation that has you curious and enticed. The aura of the dress screams empress. A bold woman who is elegant and suspense-filled. The view of the dress from behind sheds light on the love-shaped keyhole feature. One can only imagine with the ropes that the front view of the dress has a corset. It also looks to be a ball gown from the ballon flare that starts from the waistline. The wide hat paired with the dress makes the design all the more interesting and we must say curiosity has us.
With this view of the dress, what is going through your mind? You must have your question, and so do we. Questions like is the dress a mini, midi or maxi dress? What kind of neckline was it given? Does it really have a corset or were the ropes attached to give the outfit shape? Was black the only colour used or are there hints of other colours at the front? So many questions yet to be answered but then again that’s what the world of fashion is all about. It reels you in and at the end of the day, you find that you just can’t get enough.
We must say Ohemaa Yaa Serwaa-Kyerewaa Awuah did a spectacular job with these three pieces and we are looking forward to observing more of her works. Through this collection, Ohemaa has successfully placed YAWAA as one of the most impactful trendsetters in the fashion industry. Aside from this beautiful contribution, Ohemaa has also released so many other collections which were showcased collections at several notable events, including Glitz Fashion Week in Ghana, Nairobi Fashion Week in Kenya, and African Fashion Week in Nigeria respectively.
This remarkable achievement places the Yaawaa brand on a fast-moving pedal to becoming a renowned fashion house which will impact styles and trends. Only time will tell the great things the brand is yet to unveil. So, stick with us and keep yourself up to date with the ‘latest’ in fashion.