Africa Fashion Week: Day 2 Edit - Madam Wokie, Duaba Serwa, Kiki Clothing

As with yesterday, more full-blown reviews of our top shows from Day 2 to come. Please stay tuned.


MADAM WOKIE - SIERRA LEONE

Bandage mummy-like pieces, an ultra chic wildcard suit with old-school appeal and distinctly Sierra Leonean embroidery were the highlights of this collection. At times muted in brown tones, at times highlighted with purple and yellow, the thigh-grazing minis were the most recurrent looks. While the collection was far too small and thematic for our liking, we enjoyed this ode to femininity and the jolt of electric blue, which we wish had been explored in more detail. The pieces that will probably linger the longest are the burnt gold bandage dress and skirt - the perfect fusion of naughty and nice.

DUABA SERWA - GHANA

Duaba Serwa's collection was a pleasant surprise. Being the young label's first full-blown collection and introduction to a global audience, one might have expected nervous jitters or a lack of direction, but not so for Duaba Serwa. Golden girl dresses reminiscent at times of Roland Mouret were an undoubtedly sexy (especially a structured, corseted number paired with an effortless jacket) celebration of the female form and were finished off with a metallic sheen. Form fitting minis in deep purple and grey had necklines adorned in seed and pearl beads - an early hint at a signature detail perhaps? Beading also showed up on a jacket and side panels on a custard yellow peplum dress, sprucing them up nicely. The show-stopper? A floor-length red dress with extensive, perfectly-positioned beading. We're certainly looking forward to this label's future offerings as they fine-tune their point-of-view in an industry where a unique selling point is key. Still, a commendable first attempt.

KIKI CLOTHING - GHANA

Print lovers after easy, ready-to-wear pieces may find some level of fulfillment in Kiki Clothing's collection. While offerings didn't dig deep enough for us we can't deny a commercial appeal in the poet sleeves, pussy-bow detail and the rompers, dresses, and shorts. Good for customers who don't do fuss and frills, especially with Kiki Clothing's fair asking prices. Highlights were a chiffon pussy bow blouse contrasted with print and wax-print sandals - a go-to accessory for warm summer days.

- SLiq