African Design Dresses: Statement-Making Outfits by AfriQ Expressions

August 30, 2015
DUNIA Contributor
Posted in Fashion & Style

With African design on the rise, interest in African design dresses has also increased and designers are continuously raising the bar. We had the pleasure of interviewing Fashion Designer Ola Alabi about her company AfriQ Expressions and the inspiration behind the beautiful designs she creates.

1. – Describe AfriQ Expressions in 3 words

AfriQ Expressions is VIBRANT, EXCITING, SHOWSTOPPING.
We are not just another fashion clothing line because we only make 3 pieces of the same style variation, except by special order; and, we always use African Batiks as part of our design creations.

When you are styled by AfriQ Expressions, you will be making a statement about your uniqueness, personality and style; you will simply be dressing with a difference.

We create modern, sexy and sometimes futuristic looks, with the use of traditional African fabrics, but with the aesthetics of the global culture as the ultimate look. Together, the mesh of culture, trend and style becomes “AfriQ Expressions”.

Heads will turn, people will stare, women envy! The unapologetic glamour of our eclectic designs using African Batiks, ensures that all eyes are on you when you waltz into a room. Exercise your right to be different, come along with me and experience, “Statement Making Outfits with a Global Intention.”

2. – What are common fashion/style mistakes to avoid?
In the past, there were many fashion don’ts/mistakes, however we have heralded a new fashion era where fashion is now about your individual personality and style. There’s hardly any wrong doing — although we must always keep in mind that one man’s meat is another’s poison. Whatever your style, as long as you are able to wear it and carry it off with confidence — you are winning in my books.

3. – Tell us about the inspiration behind your work
My inspirations are drawn from the world of music, film, television and everyday life. The color palettes used in my designs and styling are inspired from my view of the world. I love the idea of celebrating the uniqueness of the different cultures of the world at large. My designs are clean, with pure lines, influenced by Art Deco, European Asian and African utilitarian aesthetics. If you have a flair for the fabulous, you are in the right place.

I am a curator of all things beautiful and exotic; I am also a stylist and a designer. My design ideas are very visual—seeing something, feeling it, and being inspired by it takes me into the creative world. When I style a person and they feel that my work mirrors who they are or shows them a vision of the best of who they want to be, that is the greatest feeling in the world for me.

4. – How do culture & fashion intertwine?
I believe that you can never have fashion without culture for it is the culture that usually gives birth to the fashion style that goes mainstream. AfriQ
Expressions is predicated upon the use of traditional African Batiks (mixed with other fabrics from around the world) and the use of African craftsmanship.

5. – What are some of your goals?
As I said previously, the fashion industry is ever involving, I see African Fashion also evolving too but most especially—I see AfriQ Expressions being a major force to be reckoned with in the fashion Industry. In the next 3 years, we would have expanded our line. We are also planning on opening a global ethnic boutique here in Las Vegas. We hope to do all this by reaching out to and helping women and children from improvised parts of Africa as part of our adopted social responsibility.