The most prominent feature of the Wave Sandstone Formation, is its vibrant, almost unnatural hues. Striated panels of sedimentary rock sit, exposed to the light by centuries worth of water, its channels the only evidence that water once defined these valleys. Water is an excellent sculptor and the monoliths it has created in the valley are abstract yet deliberate, the result of deliberate design. The Wave Sandstone Monolith have endured for centuries, and continue to inspire creativity in the pursuit of art and design and for our A/W 18 collection, we draw inspiration from its revered valleys as well. Our creative director draws inspiration from the fragility of the Wave Sandstone formation and the parallels it has with fashion as a culture, design as a process, and the often overlooked reliability that must define construction. She acknowledges the fragility of the sandstone formations, built over centuries through years of routine and layering of otherwise unremarkable sediments.
She replicates that sentiment through ruched tulle, layered at the hem of a spaghetti dress. She mirrors its striations and marries it with her love Adire, creating striped motifs that speak to our customer’s rejection of order and embrace of controlled chaos. We take direct reference from the formations neutral hues of muted browns and sallow oranges, and juxtapose them against defiant purples and unsoiled whites, referencing the unyielding earth in eternal conflict with water, ferocious and exacting. This season’s ideas are materialized in the softness of fabrics; tulle, chiffon, silk and twine as an homage to the softness of the formation ’s present incarnation, and how it is in a perpetual state of transfiguration.
For Demure by Denike, the Wave Sandstone formation is a metaphor for the tradition that defines fashion as a pursuit of excellence, each generation’s achievements hoisted on the achievements of the generation before them, resistant to the ravages of time and other circumstances, but pliable enough that this all-encompassing force shapes fashion into the behemoth in which our creative director defines herself today.
BRAND PROFILE
The Demure by ‘Denike brand was born in 2016, from a place of love for the dying traditional art that is African textiles like Adire, Asooke, Ukara etc.
Each piece is created with our love for tradition, which is juxtaposed with the unconventionality of our Creative Director, to create her idea of an everyday stylish African woman. Although fabrics are sourced from all over Africa, all garments are made in Nigeria, and this guarantees a profound care in every seam. All our garments are ethically produced, with hand-dyeing processes, and a personal relationship with everyone who makes your clothes. We are also very passionate about training and working with artisans in local communities, with a strong aim of empowering women.
DESIGNER BIO:
Born in Lagos, Nigeria in the early 90’s, Adenike Adegboye discovered her love for fashion in secondary school, when she took a sewing class during a long holiday, and she has not looked back since. After a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations, she embarked on a journey to Milan, Italy to hone her craft in fashion. This has come to reflect in her cuts and designs, even though she sticks to using traditional African textiles. She has been shortlisted for 2018 LFDW Fashion Focus program and is looking to explore other forms of design like jewelry making and accessories.
WEBSITE:
INSTAGRAM:
www.instagram.com/demurebydenike
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/demurebydenike
TWITTER:
www.twitter.com/demurebydenike
HASHTAG: #DemureWoman #DemureByDenike #DemureWave
LookBook Review:
This lookbook is everything a woman should dream of, I’m saying ‘should’ in case you’ve not been dreaming about it. I love the tones on the tulle dress, the use of Adire gives me an African vibe that we can see well in all the pieces.
This collection looks really neat and well thought out. The colour flows seamlessly into the pieces keeping you focused on the beauty without too many distractions. It allows you to enjoy the beauty in a piece before taking you to another. While the colours used are different, it all just comes together connecting you to that self you always picture yourself to be.
I’ve always loved ‘Denike’s works but these pieces kept my mouth open for a while longer than necessary.
My favourite piece is really difficult to pick hence I feel like I can rock everything here except for the layered bottom 2 piece and that is because I haven’t pictured myself in such before, but who knows, I should try one soon… what do you think?
Tell me your fav let’s see if we have same style!
