Dope, daring, and remarkable. This is the kind of energy a professionally tailored design should give, the kind that commands attention and makes it impossible to look away, even the first time and the second time.
No matter the design, a well-crafted garment enhances it with its irresistible charm. Gineva’s latest collection, the Dope and Daring, 2023 collection, blends couture sophistication with timeless classics, transforming everyday wear into modular masterpieces that leave a lasting feminine impression. Under the leadership of the Creative Director, Ginika Eva, this brand’s designs don’t just make an entrance; they linger in memory. They invite women to wear them again and again, each time with the same head-turning effect.
Gineva’s 2023 collection is crafted with skill and modular layers, featuring a repair-friendly construction where the designer went above and beyond to create the best dresses yet seen. With no further ado, let us get down to the first extraordinary piece.
This first design is a two-piece outfit consisting of a peplum top and pleated maxi trousers. Which, on first glance, may be confused with a skirt. This style features a high-necked, pink peplum top with baggy three-quarter sleeves. An asymmetrical hem that falls over a magenta pleated maxi trouser makes the design unique. Looking at this piece, Gineva’s artisanal skills are out of this world. The brand’s design team has perfectly crafted the idea into a work of art. The pair of pleated trousers, for one, is a beauty to behold, comparable to the Pantada pants, which are stylish yet functional, similar to Palazzo. This type of pants design might be a widely known style, but Gineva has democratised this design with the unique use of pleats and the outstanding choice of fabric. The fashion house develops the silky satin fabric with a shiny surface, adding elegance to the attire. No cap, this is Palazzo pro-max. Not only is the selected fabric for these trousers breathable, but it is also comfortable and suitable for casual wear by any fashion-forward woman all over the globe.
Moreover, the crepe fabric used in crafting the elegant peplum top matches the pants seamlessly. Another outstanding aspect of Gineva’s work on this particular piece is something no one saw coming: the back view of the top. One might have looked at the front view of this piece and thought that the top is a simple, so-so design. But the back view tells a different story. This shows the creative side of Ginika’s team. It reveals the level of craftsmanship systematised into the design and shows how much risk the team was willing to take to appeal to its audience.
And honestly, this combo is captivating. The drape at the back of the peplum top elongates to floor-length, like a bride’s veil. It gives the entire outfit a radiant look. It’s undeniably the highlight of this design, coupled with its C-cut three-quarter sleeves. Everybody knows peplum tops, but Gineva came with a vibe that says, ‘ours is different’, and we can absolutely see that!
However, the draped peplum top would look better if paired with a pencil trouser design. That would probably distinguish the top and make the overall outfit a little less baggy and ill-fitting. Moreover, the C-cut sleeves could use a bit more sleekness since there is a lot of bagginess going on in the lower area. Also, the hem of the top sweeps the ground, which many women might find uncomfortable due to the length. Well, unless of course they are on heels.
This is as mind-blowing as the first; the next piece in the 2023 collection of marvellously crafted items is a beautiful blend of teal, green, and brown fabric with a short, flared sleeve. A brown and beige plaid corset-style bodice, layered over it. Like the first outfit, this attire features a two-piece: a collared top hemmed with brown crepe fabric, classically paired with palazzo trousers. This top could also pass for a peplum top, with brown fabric that forms the belly area. Adding volume to the top and defining the wearer’s waist make the style resemble a chiffon-style blouse, except for the thicker cotton material used. One clear thing is that cotton fabric is not just thick; it is breathable and easy to style. This means Gineva is not merely designing wears for revenue, the fashion brand is particular about its customers and the environment in which it operates.
Meanwhile, Ginika’s team meticulously cuts a funnel collar that elevates the wearer’s neckline. The sleeves are three-quarter length, featuring a creative cut on the elbow area. This is almost the first of its kind, projecting Gineva as an innovative brand in the fashion scene. There are no hand restrictions on this design, allowing the wearer to freely adorn their wrists with various accessories that elevate the design and give it a luxurious feel.
While the green fabric forms the collar, shoulder, and the upper chest area of the top, a brown crepe fabric is used for the bust areas down to the waist and the edges of the sleeves. Going down, the corset style employed snatched the wearer’s waist, defining their shape and highlighting their feminine features. There are also about four white plastic buttons from the neck area to the wearer’s mid-chest area. Also, to further highlight the creativity of Ginika’s team, this attire features two flaps that protrude from the waist area of the top to each thigh, like pockets.
This style combines a structured, unconventional top with elegant pants. It is often seen in high fashion or avant-garde collections. The floor-length palazzo trouser provides a sense of movement and fluidity. Just like the one in the previously reviewed piece, it features a silk, shiny face, satin material, except that the colour is different. The designer did not add any distinctive features to the pants in this design.
This is a unique outfit that would advance any modern woman’s wardrobe and satisfy their fashion taste. However, it could be better, especially in the area of its finishes. First, the brown piece attached to the waist is not perfectly aligned. The stitching looks wrong, creating a lapping effect at the back view. Perhaps the designer attempts to incorporate a corset style into the blouse. Moving on to the last piece of the day.
The piece definitely should be the highlight of this collection. It just screams Daring, touch me, buy me and wear me! One look at this last piece in this 2023 collection, and Michael Jackson immediately comes to mind. And it is not just because of the golden yellow two-piece, it is mostly because of the glittery surface of the overall outfit, and of course, the King of style’s fascination with Egyptian style and jewellery. This outfit is a two-piece set featuring a golden or yellow-toned satin-like fabric.
The blouse is a cropped top. The sleeve design is one of the most intriguing parts of this style, enclosed by an invisible zipper. The rose or bow-like sleeve is the most eye-catching aspect of this piece. It has a long, full sleeve on the other side. The overall style is elegant and modern. And the combination of the fitted crop top with the wide-leg pants is a popular trend. The designer has done a fine job on this last design, but a few little adjustments to the length of the pants will make the design a perfect fit.
The designer and the team have proven with yet another successful collection that when talent meets skills, the unimaginable is achieved. But while this seems to be a successful rollout of designs, there is still more work to be done.
In design, fabric selection, sewing, and finishing, Ginika has proven strong, but needs to tighten its skills to advance the level it wishes to operate on. Without mincing words, this brand has come this far, showcasing its exceptional, interesting, and innovative designs to fulfil its promise within the African fashion space. We are amazed by the effort and dedication portrayed in every silhouette in this collection, and they are bound to keep it flying due to their uniqueness.
