Over the last decade, African fashion has grown from local and petite tailors to international fashion designers making high-end couture pieces for some of the famous celebrities in the world. One of the top African brand helping to make this change is the Ade Bakare Couture.
Born in Bromsgrove, British Midlands and a graduate of Manchester University College; Ade Bakare established his own couture line in 1991. With his past work experience in fashion houses; Victor Edelstein and Christian Stambolian, Ade supplied boutiques in various parts of The United Kingdom with his bi-annual collections to the likes of Chic, Amber and Lucienne Phillips. Nowadays, he covers daywear, evening wear, bridal wear, hats and fragrances (Breeze).
His latest Summer 2014 Collection, “Adire Meets Modernity” is tie and dye inspired, hence the word “Adire” which is the literal translation in the Nigerian dialect of Yoruba. In his own words, Ade says, “I became interested in this rare textile and was intrigued by the way it was made.” “I felt it could be made in a more luxurious way which would endear it to more people and give it that international appeal”.
The bridal wear concept utilises volume in shape and draping that ultimately accentuate an “hourglass figure” while retaining the sensual and feminine appeal of the bride in her finest hour. The styles range from puffed mutton sleeve, sheer capes with sleeves and train in one, right up to spaghetti strap fishtail gowns with floor-sweeping hems. The top part of the dresses is usually empire line, occasionally with big bows and sweeping shawls as well as corsets with sexy, figure hugging skirts of varied length. Fabrics used are luxurious and chic and consist of silks, organza, chiffon and more. If the bride in question requires it, Ade will also design matching shoes and other accessories as well as organise special underwear to bring out the best in the dress as well as make that day extra special.
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For the Daywear collections, Ade chooses to work with fabrics such as georgette, Swiss cotton, silk, chiffon, linen and crepe. Clients can get their dresses custom made and styles vary from bold pastel bolero jackets, knee-length coats and dresses as well as high waisted palazzo pants to light woollen suits in beige, purple, navy through to red and pink.
Because eveningwear needs to be more eccentric to capture attention, the use of jewel colours with a more profound effect is used. These delicate fabrics may have a shimmer but retain the deep violet, ruby, emerald or other stone characteristics to give a finished opulent look. Gorgeous coats in various lengths with diverse sleeves also compliment the piece underneath as well as counter the weather elements.
The hats Ade makes are chic and eccentric, and will definitely turn many heads if one were to spend a day at The Ascot. They complete the look of the sophisticated bride or add that sensual touch to all the outfits they are combined with. The sheer tulles with Swarovski stones, shiny silks, organza and velvets reflect a true genius in each creation as do the delicate fragrances of orchids, jasmine and light “breezes” reminiscent of an African coastal pedigree. There are also small fashion accessories of men’s silk scarves and women’s clutch bags to complete the look from head to toe.
As a designer with Nigerian heritage, Ade has showcased some of his collections in Nigeria and other African countries such as South Africa, Morocco and Mozambique as well as abroad in America (New York), Monaco and the European capital of fashion: Paris. He has stores in London and a number of flagship stores in Lagos, Nigeria. His label is synonymous with style and flair as well as glamour and sophistication as you will find many aristocratic and royal women wearing it, as you would celebrities.
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Due to Ade’s major contribution to African fashion and namely that in Nigeria, many awards have been presented to him to recognise his efforts. Not only has he worked as a Fashion Lecturer but also a role model. Of special note is the award from the Nigerian Youth and Culture minister for the role Ade played in creating a young fashion designers competition to create incentives for young Nigerian students to be recognised and empowered. Other awards were for his input in bridal wear, banks, Conde Nast publishing, an academy in Paris and Western Union. He has also appeared in numerous publications and has written his own column in a magazine called Le Vogue.
Ade Bakare Couture can be seen in shows that usually showcase other prominent fashion designers and more information can be found on his website: adebakare.com
