Breathtaking was the word used to describe the latest designs created and launched by Africa’s Queen of Haute Couture, Deola Sagoe, who was showcasing her Spring/Summer 2015 Collection tagged “Wings By Deola”, at the prestigious Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York this month.
Campaign photographs for Deola Sagoe‘s Spring/Summer 2015 collection titled ‘Wings By Deola’ have been released and as the name of the collection implies, it is full of magical moments. This beautiful and ethereal collection consists of 37 pieces whose names were derived from the characters in Shakespeare’s plays such as, Ophelia (the helper), Valeria (strong, valiant) and Juno (protector). The collection for Spring/Summer 2015 features detailed cut-outs, sheer fabric inserts, plunging necklines and more tying into the origami-theme. According to the design brief, the Lookbook also draws inspiration from Deola Sagoe’s daughter’s class project, which was part artistic, part scientific and based on moths, flies and butterflies. Deola explores the intricacy of these visually stunning and magical creatures in this collection. The collection was originally showcased during the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York and as usual the renowned fashion designer caught the attention of many with her stunning new collection pieces.
Deola Sagoe is a true visionary, and she stands out on the global fashion stage with her strong signature designs, elegance and attitude. Deola Sagoe designs are an haute couture experience of east meets west. Drawing inspirations from traditional Nigerian fabrics and cuts and western aesthetics, she has created wearable works of art. Her most recent collection included pieces created with Adire fabric which is hand dyed in Nigeria by the Yoruba women.
According to Deola Sagoe when speaking about the new collection and her use of her own unique fabrics, she said:
“Developing my own fabrics is essential for me. Every time you do it, it’s fresh; the drawings, the process of making Adire, starting with indigo and then just making music with colour and patterns, 'fabric jazz'. I wanted to play with floaty fabrics this time. It was just my mood. Of course I’m still in the throws of my love affair with Aso Oke which is still a huge feature in this collection.“
Deola Sagoe's fame, much like her aesthetic, has gone beyond the African continent. Aside from featuring collections in New York and Cape Town Fashion Weeks, she was the recipient of the MNET/Anglo Gold African Designs 2000 Award, in which she was nominated by Andre Leon Talley.