WRITTEN BY SHARRA GREENE
SO, I was SO blown that my schedule wouldn’t allow me to attend DMV based luxury label Hanifa’s very first (In person) fashion show (because we can’t discount the ICONIC virtual show the designer blessed us with during the pandemic that was the FIRST of its kind, no matter what the misleading headlines said). However, I had to drop by the blog to share my thoughts on the premium womenswear brand’s latest collection because, well, look at the material…
Designer Anifa Mvuemba has a true gift of knowing exactly what details of a garment should be emphasized, and which aspects of the piece should remain subtle, classic, and timeless. I believe its the very thing that has kept Hanifa at the center of conversation, specifically for the sophisticated and sultry women who love to look regal, super sexy, and refined all at once. This collection was no different. The brand came in hot, serving glossy textures, voluminous silhouettes, and vibrant color to boot.
When I think of Hanifa, I think of that piece that hugs all of the right places on a woman’s body, shows just the right amount of skin via a signature cut out, and features a colorway that you can probably bet money no one else in the room will have on. Hanifa’s designs use subtle details to show women that their form, complexion, undertones, and their desire for originality are still deeply acknowledged celebrated within fashion.
This very concept was particularly evident with a few of my fave pieces from the show, including the golden yellow satin slit midi dress (see above), topped with a cropped ribbed turtleneck that featured exagerrated sleeves. The immaculate bodycon shaping paid homage to the model’s hourglass figure in an elegant formal satin fabrication, while the pullover sweater incorporated an element of outerwear gone sexy and impractical, yet so polished and chic.
Hanifa also brought back another signature of theirs this season, thick fringe. Hanifa often incorporates fringey trim onto their infamous sweater sets and wrap dresses. The designer took it up a notch by applying the texture to a show-stopping pink mock neck halter dress, that if you asked me has actress and fashion icon Tracee Ellis Ross’s name all over it. (Picture her with her curly fro, she would KILL in this dress.)
I appreciated the pink fringe dress specifically because it serves as a snapshot of what Hanifa does to stay current and keeping their consumer wanting more. They’ll take one element of a past design (in this case, fringe) and elevate it and make it new, by either changing where it’s placed on the garment, the colorway, or the spacing of it.
While Anifa made sure to include some of her simpler, more classic silhouettes that the brand is known for, I also noted some newer, more dramatic and formal pieces featured in this collection. For example, the silver metallic asymmetric top and skirt combo with a balloon sleeve, stood out to me as a worthy go-to for this season’s holiday parties and events. It’s a texture that’s much more on the formal side than I’m used to seeing from the brand, but it was refreshing to see nontheless.
Another headturner, the genius denim mermaid gown that closed the show served as a beautiful and fresh example of Hanifa’s eye for taking something seen as practical and making it extravagant and thought provoking. “Could we get away with a denim gown? Is that something we need to explore more often?”
I had a little debate in the dms with a fellow stylist friend of mine concerning the collection. While he felt that some of the cuts could have been more tailored and finely excecuted, I appreciated the fact that the brand still is taking the time to reinvent classic silhouettes that we’ve seen countless times, because revisiting certain shapes and actually making them your own is an art form that I feel is often lost among many of today’s designers.
Overall, I enjoyed the juxtaposition of Hanifa’s signature design elements with a few newer, elevated ones. She’s giving us something to look forward to this season by setting the standard when it comes to considering what silhouettes, colorways, and construction elements make women, especially black women, look and feel our best. See the full collection here.
Which looks from Hanifa Fall ‘21 are your faves? Let me know in the comments! The collection drops today at 1pm EST. Will you be purchasing?
Sharra,
“Empowering her evolution through style.”
Image Source: Vogue