‘Retro Sexy Redefined’ – NouveauRiche 8485
Posted on Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 at 8:45 AMBy Ijeoma Ndekwu
We all love us some Ankara, don’t we? And there are a good number of African designers who work with it and create fabulous pieces for us to lust over. However, a big challenge for them is differentiating their brand from others who work with the fabric.
NouveauRiche 8485(NR 8485) has managed to give their Ankara pieces a different “song to sing” . Their pieces are captivating and I get no sense of déjà vu with them.
NouveauRiche 8485 was born out of the desire to create one of a kind pieces infused with culture and a refined edge. Creators Tolani Aremu andKolapo Alex-Oni aim to bring the polished stylings of their native Nigeria to the fashion forefront.
“The intent behind the brand is to overcome style barriers, continually challenge convention, and push the extraordinary. Empowered and inspired to create these distinctive conversational pieces, Nouveau Riche 8485 sets out to present a brand of undeniable dimension, depth and aesthetic.”- NoveauRiche8485
Their debut collection features 5 pieces mostly in traditional Anakara, but with fabric mixes with cotton and mesh. I like how they work with Ankara; their designs come off as a contemporary interpretation with tulip shapes , dramatic sleeves, body conscious dresses and bodycon skirts, and inserts like mesh, zipper details and chain links .
It’s retro sexy re-defined; from the short lengths to the bold cuts and styling. Although a small collection, the pieces are very strong; immaculately finished, polished and refined.
I’m really liking the personality I’m getting from this brand and I look forward to their future offerings.
View NouveauRiche 8485 debut collection:
W: Nouveauriche8485.com
E: Info@nouveauriche8485.com
Tags: african designers, Kolapo Alex-Oni, NouveauRiche 8485, Tolani Aremu
This is really nice! Definitely feeling it. Totally wearable too. Loving pics 2 and 4. The models and hair are also amazing.
What is this! i particularly do not find any of these styles appealing. I sense a lot of Deja Vu to respond to the write up. I am sorry but thats my take.
BTW i am first to commenet ….(now hand me my prize)
horrible make up sorry to say
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm , coolllllllllllllll
this is sooo bad! the make up looks horrible.
Apart from the poorly postured models and their not so fantastic hairstyles,I love it!!!
I like pix 2, 5 and 5 (without the chains on the back o)…well done guys, gives me ideas for some ankara I’ve to send to my tailor…
2,4 and 5 I meant*
love it
Hmmm….na waya!
This dresses are hot, love love love it
I’m loving the thread hairstyle in the 4th pic. Wish we could all go back to having our hair like that…lol
me too!!!!!
Nodding my head about the threaded hairstyle. Very Organic. Now if only I could get away wearing that instead of weaves, i will save A LOT of dough. lol. I love it though. First time seeing it in high fashion. GO GO GO!
I absolutely love this….its refreshing, stylish and most of all Wearable…Good job guys
Loving the designs..wearable, fashion forward with an ethnic twist…I’d rock it!!!
The Tawni Logues (freelance writing services) add it on Facebook!
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!… creative yet sexy
cant stop admiring the creativity…..one of my new favorite lines
errr… wat creativity?? d dress wit mesh top? i’ve one just like that from Asos.com from 5months ago. you cant just copy RECENT styles (emphasis on RECENT, esp highstreet) in local fabric and think we buy ur ‘creativity’.
I’m annoyed. try again pls.
Thank you my sister…exactly wat i was thinkin! English styles with African fabrics. hiss!
I love the model’s look especially the simbi is a girl hair
real retro sexy. not deja vu at all. @ tama and tolu, the focus is d clothes. horrible makeups and funky hairstyles tend to go well with a great deal of fashion designers. nice pieces NoveauRiche8485
Well done to the designers
http://www.tonibonoj.wordpress.com
i love th dress
Dis are rily nice designs tolani……….nd d model wore all designs well…….weldone temmy
I am feeling all of them!!!! Kudos and the hair styles esp the African ones… Very Very proud of what designers are doing in my Naija… keep repping!
Pls i need to know who did this makeup. As in this is awful…. not fair at all… nothing creative about this piece.. Not impressed..
horrible meke ups and hair dos. Abeg give us something better. The dresses are okay; Nothing I haven’t seen.
d dresses r realy nice
A new Perspective, I like it
I like that the model is not skinny
who took these pictures??
All the negative comments lets me know the world is still full of haters and people that no nothing about the fashion industry. Half of the naysayers, I’m sure, are printing these pictures out to take to their tailors. White America (Gwen Stefani) is getting rich off using native fabric with Western style….why not one of our own??!! I think these designs are wonderful and a modern contemporary take on native traditional wear.
I couldn’t have said it any better. very true!
Dat model’s really working ‘em dresses. Nice one, kudos!
OMG THE 2ND PIC!!!!!!!!!! WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE MAKEUP ARTIST? IS THIS THE BAST NIGERIA CAN OFFER? OH MA WORD, I HAVE NO WORDS
love it! love it !! love it !!! the clothes are wearable and they looked good on the models… thumbs up!!!
truly inspired,truly nigerian
NAWA o my naija ppl please learn to not say anything if you do not have anything GOOD to say…lets stop tearing each other down; instead encourage each other!
Great clothes!
Whats with allthe negativity . you guys are taking this too far. Have you stopped to think that the makeup is borderline as part of the styling. very futuristic esp in pic 2. i agree on the fact that the designs are not that original but face is they are good and wearable
iLove the last dress with the 3 chunky black chains in the back.
Ahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa! i laughed till i peed on myself!!!! what on earth is this? and the girl looks bozo