By By Olu Segun

In accordance with the words of Ralph Lauren, beyond fashion labels and brands, your dressing is more about what comes from within you as an individual. This is vividly reflected in the values that the African Fashion label – Danibe Studios – stands for. Being a stylish fashionista himself, Daniel Chinedu Ibeh, the CEO, recognises styles in different kinds of people that form his target audience; and therefore, knows exactly what it means for them to be fashionable from within, with respect to their styles and not necessarily from a fashion label. It is on this premise that Danibe Studios was established and has developed over time.
Since its inception in 2017, the brand has rolled out contemporary ready-made and bespoke collections that skilfully blend sleek fabric architecture with impacts of African subcultures and craftmanship that press the buttons of every fashion-forward woman. This saying by Coco Chanel – “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman” – has been the watch word that guides the design collections in Danibe Studios. The 2024 collection reflect brilliant artistic touches that not only draw customers’ attention, but also keeps them remembered whenever they rock the brand.
Well displayed by this label is creativity which does not necessarily have to be a big thing. It could be a simple change in cut, or a distinctive tweak in the already existing pattern. The recently released 2024 collection has an artistic touch written all over the designs, one that ensures that the wearers look impeccable and do not go unnoticed when stepping out in the attires. Let us examine some of the pieces that make up this year’s collection.
This excellently curated piece is a casual and cute looking attire made with one of the most popular African fabrics – Ankara. It is a simple skirt and blouse with a thoughtful work of art on the top that modify it from being just a regular top and skirt design into a bespoke layout. The choice of African-themed fabric emphasizes the brand’s commitment to elevating the importance of traditional fabrics and techniques, and integrating them into contemporary living.
The round neck crop top features short sleeve hands that are barely reaching the wearer’s elbows. It is majestically adorned with long fringes that are attached to the strip of the top and let loose to freely dangle from the tip of the top, flowing down below the knees. The strands of fringe, made with the same fabric as the attire, is not limited to the front view of the top. It is joined all the way to the back of the dress, the edges of the short hands, and flows over the mini skirt in length. These strands of fringe, formed with trims of fabrics sewn in rectangular shapes, serve as fancy edgings that transform the idea of a casual crop top into a creative foxy piece, further highlighting that creative touch that Danibe Studios consistently offers.
Despite being a crop top, Danibe Studios has incorporated a zip at the back of the top for ease of wearing and removing. Perhaps, this is because the top is round necked. The full-length zip used ensures that the top can come off completely when unzipped.
The simple mini skirt also features a short zip that runs from the tip of the centre back view for ease of wearing and taking off. The skirt is high waist and makes up for the gap left in the belly area by the crop top.
Taking a holistic look at this fantastic design, it emits freedom, creativity and elegance in its simple form.
Who says you cannot rock a casual and yet spin necks?
Not only is the design trendy, it is also sure to be seasonable, which stresses the brand’s attention to creating sustainable apparels with minimal waste.
That being said, feel free to grace your casual occasions in this sleek and elegant piece, paired with low-heeled slippers and a pair of big hoop earrings; and you can be sure to live rent-free in the minds of your seers for a long time. There is no need for a heavy make-up or big hairstyle to make this attire pop. Even on a bad hair day, a pony tail or hair donut will do justice to your look in this beautiful piece.
However, for those who might have reservations for short outfits, the skirt may not resonate with you. The good thing is that it is two pieced, and the top can be worn on your choice of skirt, whose length you consider appropriate; or even a high waist trouser to match.
This creatively designed outfit is an off-shoulder top tucked into the high waist three-quarter carrot trouser. Again, this design blends African-themed textile with wool crepe fabric to generate a contemporary layout. The off-shoulder top features puffed hands that fall from slightly below the shoulders to the elbow. The crepe fabric forms the chest and back area of the top, while the Ankara comes in as the puffed hands, edged at the elbow with the crepe fabric as if trying to achieve a bishop sleeve.
Danibe Studios’ ability to cutely combine the two fabrics makes the design more appealing to the eyes. The blue crepe presents brightness to the overall design and perfectly complements the dark coloured Ankara fabric. Colour combinations without fear is another strength of design labels. Since the Ankara fabric has no blue tone on it, it is a bold move and sheer display of expertise to mix it with an Azure blue fabric. We know that a regular tailor would have suggested a yellow material. Now, the difference is clear – professionalism and expertise.
The back view of the top is finished with well sewn-in black zipper that enables the wearer to comfortably put it on and remove it. Although, the length of the top is not seen as it is tucked in, the dart stitches ensure that the top is shaped to reveal the curves of the wearer.
The trouser is predominantly made with the Ankara fabric, with a rectangular cut of the crepe fabric sewn across it on the thigh area. Not running to the back of the trouser, the crepe presents a further touch of artistry to the design.
The trouser also incorporates elastic bands at the tip, making it hug the wearer’s tibia and forming unique folds that create a sense of style to the attire.
The back view of this attire looks entirely elegant. Although, the hands are not balanced. While the left-hand puff hangs perfectly on the wearer’s triceps, the right is sloppy and falls below the elbow of the wearer. There is clearly a need for better attention to details. This should not have been missed by Danibe Studios at the level in which they operate within the Nigerian fashion industry. The effect that this sloppy hand has on the overall appearance of the outfit is enough for customers to be sceptical about the brand.
Also, layering the front view of the trouser with the crepe fabric is totally unnecessary. While creativity is essential in fashion, it should not hamper the layout of the design as it looks to have done in this one. Anyways, just as Laura Jaworski said; “trial and error is creativity’s way of prolonging the fun”.
Danibe Studios has the ability to perfectly blend Afro-themed textiles with other Western fabrics. This is another excellently blended two-pieced attire, consisting of a high neck three-quarter sleeves crop top and a high waist floor length bootcut trouser.
The choice of colour for the organza material completely syncs with the Ankara fabric, suits the style and complements the entire design. The crop top has the organza fabric at the shoulder to chest area and to the back, almost like a top bra; while the Ankara was blended in as the high neck, the two sleeves and the lower edge of the crop top. Also, for the trousers, the organza material occupies the hip area to the knee at both the front and back views, while the Ankara takes up the upper band and the rest of the lower trouser length.
This attire is absolutely beautiful. However, as observed in the other pieces in this collection, attention needs to be paid. If looked at clearly, one can see the holes punctured by the needle, possibly from a loosened stitch at the front view of the trouser. This is not good enough and needs to be watched. The material is a sensitive one and any wrong stitch will leave an unpleasant mark on the outfit, dramatically reducing the steeze and professionalism of the design label. Although, the uniqueness that makes Danibe Studios appealing to discerning women who appreciate both style and cultural significance is remarkable; the brand needs to be on its toes if it does not want customers and critiques to question its commitment to quality and innovation that has distinguished it in the fashion landscape.
Conclusively, Danibe Studios did an averagely good job on this collection. The designs are truly creative and elegant, however, there is always room for improvement. Daniel Chinedu Ibeh is a talented designer whose works have always attracted praises and this is no exception. The 2024 collection is a total display of artistic ingenuity.