This is a collection from RR Atelier, a fashion brand whose introduction to the fashion industry has been nothing short of extraordinary. RR Atelier first announced itself to the world in 2020 in Lagos as a brainchild of the highly skilled designer, Uche Amadi. Since then, the brand has promoted the blend of culture, beauty and expression in its designs. This has strengthened the school of thought that believes it is possible to be both different and delicious. In such a short time, RR Atelier’s design output has redefined trends in the industry, not only locally but also in the international space. Setting and upholding standards can be difficult, but under Uche’s leadership, RR Atelier have made it look almost effortless.
In this article, each of the outfits in the 2023 collection will be rated on a scale of 1-10, from the lowest to the highest. Shall we?
Spicy
This is a red tuxedo jacket-styled mini-dress. The polished surface of the dress suggests that it’s made with satin. But beyond the shiny outlook, this outfit contains some features that could make it an instant favourite.
First, let’s talk about the long, puffed sleeves, which are elegant and imposing. The details in the sleeve alone score several points. For instance, the pointed edges at the top push the design’s crispy look, embodying the spicy quality of the entire dress. While the wrist collars are plain, they retain the overall feature of the sleeve rather than taking away from it.
The V-neckline seems razor-sharp and neat. From the length to the width and even the shape, it is precise and incredibly measured. It has a formal feel that evokes thoughts of trust and reliance.
The lapels are like triangles, going up and down in a zigzag pattern. They add a sleek but powerful effect to the feature.
The double-breasted black buttons are immaculate, giving the dress a jacket effect that seems to cap the overall outfit with excellence. Though this is a typical tight dress, the buttons make it look wide and spacious, offering a breath of fresh air to the features.
However, one can see two pockets on either side of the dress, which is fine, as jackets are known to have them. But these pockets seem oversized and lousy, as if spilling outward. Perhaps the oversized pockets would have been more effective as a single unit, but the double pockets are simply too much. A more conservative pocket size would have complemented the design by improving the sharpness of the dress.
The backside is simple, but for this dress, it is a minus, not a plus. There’s no sense of risk or adventure that one would expect from such a top-quality design. There is no need for new features, but a strip of white or blue might have added to the spiciness of the dress.
This is a brilliant outfit and, with minor tweaks, could have been flawless. For the moment of truth, this dress scores 8.0 on the 1-10 scale.
Here’s a yellow Ankara print dress with lovely black patterns. Ankara is one of the most celebrated fabrics in West Africa. But it’s usually interesting to see designers create something original from it. While the pattern doesn’t resemble the spots on an African leopard, it’s compelling enough to remember the wild African savannah. The circling motif soaks through the yellow background, creating a fascinating spiralling effect. It seems somehow coordinated.
The V-neckline can only be described as outrageous, in a good way, of course. It is probably the most daring feature of the whole outfit. It has a particular mental-click element in which the instant you see it, you decide you want this dress even without considering other features. The length of the neckline shows an illusion as if it will cut through the entire dress, but it doesn’t. Instead of lapels, the neckline sports a short neck collar that looks like a cool dot at the end of a beautiful sentence.
For the slit at the front, it’s more of a supporting act to the V-neckline and the buttons than a complete feature on its own. But it’s a reliable feature that rounds up the outfit.
The buttons did not disappoint as they matched the daring stance of the V-neckline. This long set of buttons is an intricate display of both genius and diligence. With the criss-cross effect that resembles the skeletal spine of a cat, they further enhance the thought of danger in the outfit. However, it begs the question of how you are supposed to put on the dress or take it off. While the artistry that goes into creating such a complex feature needs to be appreciated, the practicality might be a problem. You would have to unbutton at least most of the buttons to take the dress off, which can be time-consuming and require some effort. But this problem is further compounded by the back area. It appears that no zip is available as an alternative to putting the dress on and taking it off.
The most exciting feature is the yellow fringe at the bottom of the dress, but it also comes with a fault in the colour. The fact that it not only supports the length of the outfit, but it also gives it a modern, stylish energy is a plus. Creating a fringe in a dress is not easy, but designers sometimes fail to apply it with skill. While the fringe looks good, the yellow colour lacks dynamics and depth. Rather than merging with the dress, the fringe appears more isolated. With black, it would enhance the criss-cross effect of the buttons.
This is a fantastic dress on many levels. From the Ankara print to the features that keep you on the edge of your seat, it is almost perfect. With a little more consideration for practicality, this dress would be perfect. That brings us to an 8.5 rating for this outfit.
This is the crowning jewel of this collection. It’s a dark grey jumpsuit with a yellow Ankara print top. It’s evident that the pattern on the Ankara top is like the previous outfit, but it is remade in a new and refreshing style. Let’s look at the features that make it a stand-out dress.
First are the long, large puffed sleeves that grow bigger from the shoulder down to the wrist. The descending trajectory offers an explosive effect to the design. The black spirals can be seen in full on the sleeves, delivering a personality of their own. The wrist collar is tight, shaping the sleeves into a circular edge that also contributes to the puffed effect.
The neckline is square, and despite the lively look of the dress, the shape has a tidy and serious element that balances out other seemingly exaggerated features. Most designers might have gone for the spectacular, but this neckline is safe enough to pull the design together.
Moreso, the wide-leg jumpsuit looks dreamy and regal, especially with the dark grey colour. It perfectly complements the puffed sleeves. The smooth satin shines even with the dull colour, showing a contrast that’s joyous to the eyes.
At the abdominal level, there is a big bow detail. It appears so casual that it is not only ornamental, but also a closing curtain on the overall design. However, the only issue with this dress is the shoulder straps. If anything, they look out of place both at the front and the backside. While the function of the straps cannot be overlooked, they seem to obstruct the beautiful pattern of the Ankara print top rather than complement it. For instance, if the straps had been yellow, they could have blended better with the Ankara top. This dress deserves a 9.5 rating, making it the star of the collection.
The overall verdict of this collection can be summarised as a well-executed set of designs that mix corporate elements with cheerful features. And that’s why the overall rating for the collection results in an 8.5 rating. This is an amazing success for both Uche Amadi and RR Atelier. The way the combinations of colours are used to improve the features and the attention to detail can only be achieved by a gifted designer. Although the collection could benefit from further conservation in certain areas, RR Atelier has consistently met the high standards they set from the outset. You can only get excited for their future designs with their potential to push boundaries.
