BN Style Presents Emerging Fashion Talent Week – Day 3 – RÉ BAHIA – “Lola” Spring/Summer 2011
Posted on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 at 11:25 PMBy BellaNaija.com
BN Style kicked off 2011 with a special feature on the “11 Young, Fabulous & Talented Designers to Watch in 2011″ – Click to Read.
Starting things off with that feature was no accident.
One of BellaNaija’s major goals for 2011 is to promote the next generation of talent across all fields – from fashion to music, movies, science, entrepreneurship and everything in between.
The BN Style team is pushing forward with this mandate, this week, we will be celebrating the “BN Emerging Fashion Talent Week“.
Everyday of the week, we will feature a lookbook from a promising design label. Some were included in our “11 for 2011″ list and some were not, however they are all immensely talented and breaking boundaries in their own unique ways.
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For Day 3 of our BN Emerging Fashion Talent Week, we have selected upcoming fashion label, RÉ BAHIA.
Ré Bahia was established in the summer of 2009 by Orire Omatsola, an art of history student of the University of Manchester whose fashion curiosity led her to attend a summer fashion programme in Milan.
The “Lola” for Spring/Summer 2011 collection was named after and dedicated to the designer’s mother – Lola. The collection fuses creative ideas from two generations, with pieces that express a boldly clever yet subtle combination of Ankara, fine silks and vintage fabrics.
The collection features pieces with Ré Bahia’s signature: exposed zippers and ‘uma’ threading detail, a technique adopted fron her mother, and age-old family tradition from Sierra Leone. Each piece has been christened with a Swahili name; the ‘Yakuti’ ‘Akiki’ and ‘Mwamba’ again inspired by her mother’s “obsession with Kenya” further reinforcing the unique individualism of each garment “whispering the spirit of Africa between each thread”.
Speaking of “Lola”, Orire Omatsola says, “The basis of our collection is our (Orire and her mum, Lola) mutual love and respect for fabrics, texture and colours. The Lola collection crosses over all age boundaries, designed for those who feel pretty, sexy and sassy and for those who are young at heart, like just like my mother“.
Contact
info@rebahia.com
www.rebahia.com
Tags: Emerging Fashion Talent Week, Re Bahia
Good good………… I love some of the pieces.
Nice pictures, but this is exactly what is wrong with the world today…Orire and her mum are supposedly Nigerians. What is wring with using beautiful black women as models…This is the reason why women are bleaching their skin today as the media projects white as the only acceptable presentable colour. If they were white designers, I can understand, but Nigerians..this is shameful..a mix of colours could have been better. Even beyonce wey brown before don white..
thats exactly what I thought as well and it kinda clouded my judgement yle looking at the pieces. But they r pretty good tho i must say
Caucasian designers use African models….. She just chose the model she felt was suited to the campaign.
Calm down please, everything does not have to be about race. BLACK people make EVERYTHING about race. The shoot was done in England and she used an agency. What is the big deal? Look at the clothes and not the models.
your comment is what is wrong with the world not the choice of model. black people need to calm down mhen!
I’m not too crazy about her designs…but does anyone know where she’s based?
and lastly, the model with the yellow lips and yellow dress…..why is her skin looking like that? NA WA!
lmao…could be the lighting
that model tanned the day before,see the boob area…i think/
Because obviously there are no Nigerian models left in the world… smh
I like that the designer did something different with the “ankara”. The model is also working it! Good collection.
I like most of the stuff here. Different types of fabric, simple clean lines, great proportions, and well-tailored. I’ve seen this stuff before, but this is fashion afterall, and it’s done well. Her aesthetic is obviously very different from Akpos Okudu’s more flirty designs.
Love love love! I want some
I love them all! The designer did a great job! I’m not too keen on her choice of models but oh well…
hmmm why do I feel I have seen some of these designs
I know, I was just thinking that!
Nice stuff, not crazy about all the pieces but good presentation. She’s based in the uk I heard
Hmmmm……i like. i had more likes than dislikes……
Rica, Rica, why so much beef? Orire is based in England, perhaps those were the only 2 models available, perhaps they are her friends who offered to model her clothes cos they also need to build up their modelling portfolios, perhaps over there it helps to kinda show that caucasians can wear African-designed clothes and look great, perhaps these are even the top 2 models and this is the portfolio she’ll use to pitch to some retailers so they can stock her clothes, perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. We can postulate all we want but the key issue is the clothes, my dear. You either like them or you don’t but please let’s not be myopic and focus on the skin colour of the models.
Me sef I fit vex and ask why she didn’t use Size 14 models (my size) after all size zeros et al tend to be in the minority! That’s really “shameful” to borrow your term
I tire for naija peps oh, Spot on jare, tell them! Lovely clothes n nice modelling.
I see some I totally Love…and some i don’t quite dig.Good job…!
they r okay…………
wow RE BAHIA is one great fashion designer but pls stop recycling your outfits
I think they’re great well tailored peices.I don’t have anything against her using white models,sure she does not use them all the time.It’s great to see whites in ankara too.
you took the words right out of my mouth Ayo, Rica nawa for you oh because they are nigerians they should use nigerians, because they are black they should you black models. Its really sad when people talk like this and only want to see life in black and white. I can understand if the next more collections the girl only uses white models, then i would question and find it very odd. Im a proud black woman, any body who is feeling sad about their skin because of the media and resulting to bleaching should seek guidance, don’t use the girl and her mother as scape goats for that issue.
for the simple fact that its very hard to get jobs as a black model in any western country. some designers will only be looking for 1 or 2 black models. out of 12 models, they may use just two or three all for the sake of “diversity.” why are we only limited to two slots? thats why i feel we as Africans should be supporting our own and helping them break into the industry. have you seen South Africa? a country with majority blacks but you still see a lot of their designers only using 2 black models per show. these white women could get modelling jobs anywhere in the world. so instead of promoting our own and our own beauty, you end up promoting theirs. Modelling is not just about clothes. do you see what TV and magazines do to little girls? heck, when i was growing up, my friend had all sorts of cut-outs from magazines and plastered all over her wall. so tell me its just modelling? NOT!
thats why i asked where she was based. if she were based in Europe or the US, then i would SLIGHTLY understand why she would use white models, but to be based in Nigeria or any African country for that matter. SMH! i say we all shouldn’t support!!
@kayla, even if she were based in the Uk. there are so many Nigerians in the UK its not even funny. Uk based or not, why white models?
Some of the clothes are rather good and some are rather ordinary. I like the fact that her line has a signature detail though ( even though it risks getting a bit repetitive). The modeling is a bit random.
I don’t think there’s anything necessarily wrong with using white models – as long as her target market is Middle Class Britain. It’s not necessarily a black pride or patriotism thing IMO. It should be a business decision; if she intends to sell clothes to Nigerian women then black models will sell better. If she intends to straddle both markets then maybe she should use a mix of both.
Now THIS is fashion! LOVE LOVE LOVE! I want all the little dresses! So sexy and flirty and feminine!
look at the end of the day she used white models, its not about the models so let it go. She is not thefirst african or nigerian designer to use white models. Your drawing away from the actual clothin And stop making race such a big deal please
My problem is not with the color of the models’ skin, it’s with their size…why hasn’t anybody commented on the model whose vertebrae is showing (Picture 6)? It saddens me that pictures like this still pass muster – does that mean that to look fabulous in the dress I have to be that size? because that is what the model is supposed to be saying :- ‘You want to look like me? well, you have to have this fabulous dress, and also BE MY SIZE, otherwise even the fabulous dress might not look good on you’…really? Ré bahia has lost me for good with this one…
every job has its requirements. and in stores clothes come in diff sizes. people should pls leave models alone
Nice fabrics, nice colors.Peperempe is absolutely right!
S’ok
*yawn*
Iki I suggest you go on vogue.com and watch some shows and look at pictures, they don’t use models bigger than 8 usually. Models usually very slim no one is saying you have to lose weight, models are models for a reason.
I like everything!! Plus orire is soooooooo nice….lol!!!
ignoring the models rant ,the clothes are actually nice .the styling eith the long print dresses is a bit off,anyone see it esp inpicture 19 and 20.
http://mbabaziannet.blogspot.com/
i really like
Keep up the great work! Use any shade or tone of models that YOU want to wherever in the world you may be. Women have bleached long before I was born and before you started making clothes and will continue in the instance all the designers use only black models. Above all, where can I buy ya dresses from and how muss? Shei you do slightly longer-ish minis o?
This is actually a solid collection from a young up and coming designer. But enough about the black vs white model issue its so played! so what she used a caucasian model? it actually transcends the stereotypes of fashion and race when it comes to black and white. But working with some black models I must say its not such a peachy experience. there’s enough attitude about them to fill the niger delta, even surpass it, they are unprofessional at times, late to set and don’t take the job of being a model serious enough. I know, because I have experienced it first hand. This is not to say it is particular to race, but its an experience that can be one of the reasons for her choice of models- errr we do remember the cell phone tossing supermodel don’t we? Either way, this is about the clothes and kudos where its due, ReBahia is doing her own thing and doing it well. She is not seeking to blend in but seriously guys, dial down on the haterade juice. Its unpretty.
“But working with some black models I must say its not such a peachy experience. there’s enough attitude about them to fill the niger delta, even surpass it, they are unprofessional at times, late to set and don’t take the job of being a model serious enough”
and we are the racists?FREE YOURSELF!
Actually if you bothered to read the rest of the write up you’d understand where I said it is not an issue particular to black models. Look before you leap- there’s a reason why that is a saying. I think YOU should SAVE YOURSELF.
@Bee, and if it wasn’t particular to black models, WHY MENTION IT AT ALL? isn’t a model a model no matter the color? if different races of models were giving you the same attitude, i don’t understant the point of mentioning it. and how you went on and on to talk about how the black models on set behave and then turn around to contradict yourself and say “well its not just particular with them”???? i ask again, what was the point?
and yes i read the whole comment, but i chose to comment on the part that stood out to me.
yes we can all see your subliminal message.
Not bad. Eku Edowor type of styles.
at the end of the day you have some people saying she used these white people for a specific target market. so white people are the only ones with money? or is it that using a black girl will not sell to a white market? after all, we as black people continue to use and patronize products where NO black girl is used to model or sell the product. so why must it be different in our case? hmm… and then you have some people are saying its just modeling of clothes and nothing else. OH PLEASE! if it were just modeling you would have every tom, dick, and harry modlling with all shapes and sizes. its obviously NOT just modeling. there is a message sent out to the public through modeling. the models are supposed to be desired. YES. people are not buying fashion magazines just to look at clothes, we all know that. let’s stop coming up with excuses on why our own refuse to support our own. its SAD.
This is actually orire and not a phony. I am not a racist and i was raised to see people not colour. Im sorry that i don’t see life the same way. Sorry if my choice of models offend you, i am not the first designer to use only white models http://www.duroolowu.com/aw10photos.html. Thats a link for Duro Olowus winter collecton which i absolutely adore and when i see the collection i only see the clothes and nothing else. There is no where that i have stated that i hate black skin, Nigerians and Africans. Im young and plan to work in the indsutry for a very long time, there is no where that i have stated that i would never use black models or Nigerians. Its gotten to far and im going to defend my brand. I am proud to black and look beyond colour. I cant please everyone unfortunately.
And you shouldn’t have to. It is about the clothes. Its disgusting that anyone should actually bring race into it. It is your art, your vision and your creativity and you should be able to project it the way you want to. This is not offensive and its a pity that anyone would actually jump to such nonsensical conclusion simply because of their small minded views. Whether or not you want to use a black or white model is a decision that is up to you, not everyone else. And for the *person* who takes offence to that, well I’d like to see what on earth *you* are capable of- you know who you are. We are always talking about uplifting our people I wonder what kind of uplifting this is if the first thing they do is slam you for something like this. Yes you used a white model and WHAT? argh! Its appauling.
you didn’t have to say anything. if you don’t see color, then why not feature girls of all shades? WHY ONLY WHITE? and just because that other designer used only a white model, does that now mean you must copy and that makes it okay, because others are doing it?
if you don’t see color, i will be looking forward to seeing a few black models in your next collection.
CIAO.
i really love the collection, been on your site!
the choice of models black or white isnt an issue. The clothes have been designed well and the girls have modeled the clothes very well.
The product are the clothes not the models.
I love the maxi and the brown zipped down dress
anyway do your thing, hope you do well
x
good job!
Dear proponents of the race war (THE AMAKA, Rica, etc), having read Orire’s response can you all kindly let things be and end the controversy? I kinda know her remotely and she seems like a sweet, young (20 years old) lady just trying to live her dream of being a designer. Now she’s being harassed for having 2 slim caucasian women model her clothes? Abi did you expect her to host special casting sessions for Nigerian models based in the UK just to prove a point? Not fair at all…Please stop being agbayas and either support the dream or provide constructive criticism of the clothes!!!
I really like the zips in front….now it’s that much easier for us guys to unzip you girls
im particularly not wowwed by this collection…its just there…good job tho!
lol at Amaka, why are you telling the poor girl she didn’t have to say anything. Is it not her line and ultimately her that you are bashing. The girl is defending herself like anybody would, she is making a point unlike ur race rants which are becoming too annoying now, you can see that everybody is even tired now sef, abegi enuf is enuf you have made your point countless times now.
Thank you Tess, Amaka shame on you for saying we shouldn’t support her. honestly who are you, commenting on lord knows even that is your real name. go through the comments and you’ll see now one is even supporting your rants. you need to check yourself and deal with any issues. suggesting that we should all boycott the girl to please whatever issues you have, shame on you
I do not care. I stated my opinion just like everyone else. I am not fond of people making excuses that Africans use white models to appeal to a certain market….but black women can’t be just as appealing? we blacks patronize the hell out of any product whether it has any black face on its product or not.
I am not saying thats what orire said, but I’m referring to the ones that used that as a possible excuse. it just doesn’t make sense.
anyway, I’m bored.
yawwwwn
AWWWWWWW @ orire, I dont think its fair, but like u said u cant please everybody (keep up a positive attitude, be open to nice suggestions, it is well with you and ur mum, u two are going places).
Anyways, I can kinder get where Amaka veiws are coming from, but I think it is unecessary because she just started out and she is making someone of herself. Thus, criticism needs to be positive, amaka if u feel u have what it takes to model then y not contact orire for a job, or perhaps u know any aspiring black models/indians/chinese y not introduce them to orire. I am sure she is open to great ideas. Never the less, I do think Amaka should apologise even though she meant well, the readers will not see it that way. I dont think anyone is in place to judge models… y should we?????
Great and wearable pieces..love the use of colors. Per the choice of model, i am sure this young talented designer is not racist. I personally get turned off by designers,brands and services that do not support diversity.If you are trying to elicit patronage from a diverse group then your marketing tools (e.g Models) have to be diverse.The designer, Orire is a newbie to the business and she still has loads of shoots and look books to prove that she supports people of different races. She sounds like she has her head screwed on rightly, hoping to see more from her.
( um…Orire, because Duro olowu is doing it, doesnt mean it is right o)
“screwed on right”
@The Amaka, I metioned it because this is the experience I have gained with every black model I have worked with which is not representative of all the black models in the indsutry, not that I have to justify my opinions to you but there you go. Further more, you seem to be harping on rather annoyingly about the whole “black white” issue that is really unnecessary when we should be talking about the clothes and not the intentions of the designers because YOU are NOT in her head so you cannot cast such RIDICULOUS judgement. Everyone who has had any criticism to say has done so with grace and constructively but you are uncouth and disrespectful. There’s a fine line between constructive criticism and negativity and you are just plain negative and there’s no need for that. I would like to see what you have done creatively to have such MYOPIC ideals on another’s work. For someone who is for the “uplifiting” of her people you seem to have such redundant views. And as for saying you’ll be keeping an eye out for the models in her future works? Well aren’t you the “all important” one. I do wonder how many naija designers do you support? Ignorance is not bliss do please don’t act like you are. Its really unpretty.
@ Lasola just “because Duro Olowu is doing it doesn’t mean it is right”. Are you basically saying that black people should not use white models, that using white models is now wrong, huh? The girl never said she copied him. I am so confused with the things people are saying, now giving people rules and restrictions because of race. So all the white designers that use black models is that one now wrong, because Burberry just did a campaign with jourdan dunn and one black male model, is that one now wrong?
Amaka you are truly quite sad and have a very limited view of life… Maybe you need to travel more and see the world… Open your eyes mate… The world aint black and white… Orire you are fabulous, your clothes do the talking not the model… And if people understood high fashion then they would be able to grasp that…. So amaka ciao to you…..a
lovely collection.
I see Eku Edewor pulling off ALL the pieces in this collection effortlessly. I think she’ll be a great brand ambassador for Re Bahia
Nice!
I think the concept is to sell African fabrics/design to the rest of the world.
Choice of models is an issue. If you are selling to the black Nigerian woman (i assume thats why your are being featured here) wants to picture herself wearing your clothes…using white models defeats that…
She should have used some black models though. I don’t really see myself wearing them cos I can’t imagine myself in them. Maybe if a black chick had rocked some of the outfits, I’d have liked it better. Most of the dress and skirts are a bit too short but I suppose they are targeted for a particular market….