BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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When Ore Falase speaks about her label ByFalase, she frames both a clothing line and a narrative space. Launched in 2023, the womenswear brand is rooted in storytelling and serves as an exploration of what it means to navigate the world as a woman with authenticity and without apology. “ByFalase is a brand for the modern woman,” she explains, “one that seeks to tell their story authentically and unapologetically.”
Her upcoming collection, Sirenia, continues that pursuit. Inspired by Gillian Anderson’s novel Want, Ore describes the capsule as an exploration of fantasy and desire, while also interrogating how women are often made to feel performative. “What is your own desire?” she poses, suggesting that her work is less about dictating aesthetics and more about urging women to reclaim their narratives and sexuality on their own terms.
Ore’s reference points are eclectic yet intentional. A self-proclaimed media junkie, she immerses herself in films and cultural texts that sharpen her vision, from Paul Verhoeven’s cult classic Showgirls to cinematic depictions of mermaids and their mystique, to Tom Ford’s Gucci era, when sex appeal was redefined as confidence rather than objectification. These influences coalesce in Sirenia, which Ore calls “romantic and sensual,” marked by playful shapes, fabrics, and textures that are designed to empower rather than diminish.
Every garment, she insists, carries intention. “I never want to make something just for the sake of making it,” she says.
Her approach to design prioritizes the story first, clothes second. This extends to her understanding of the gaze: for Ore, distinguishing between the male and female gaze in tailoring is about intention and execution. “Sexy isn’t just tight clothes, it could also be loose clothes that fall on my body perfectly,” she notes. Her process, which she describes as fluid, resists rigid structures. Ideas arrive unexpectedly, and her background as a textile student grounds her in both the technicality and the vulnerability of creation. “Everyone is their worst critique,” she admits.
Personal experiences frequently seep into her work, with life itself serving as a canvas. Taking breaks, living through daily rhythms, and reflecting on her own journey often spark creative direction. While her previous collection featured the Heritage Tee (a ruched T-shirt in Nigerian flag colors that resonated widely for its symbolism) Sirenia pivots toward media-driven interpretations of femininity, with references like The Last Showgirl woven into its DNA.
The visual language of the collection, Ore says, is cohesive and vibrant, with pinks, blacks, sheer fabrics, and vivid prints forming its foundation. It is also her favorite to date. She envisions the pieces not as occasion-only statements but as versatile garments that allow glamour to seep into everyday life. “I believe everyone should be glamorous in their day-to-day life… it makes life more fun,” she reflects. Pieces can transition from grocery runs to drinks with friends to the office, balancing tailoring and structure with sensuality and ease. For Ore, the point is not to bend to a curated or trendy aesthetic, but to remind women not to lose their personal style.
Fabric remains central to this philosophy, with details like chiffon adding what she calls “a see-through moment.” These small choices matter, and not just visually, but symbolically.
Looking ahead, Ore confirms that Sirenia is not an isolated experiment but a stepping stone toward the brand’s larger vision. Future projects will continue to expand on this ethos of unfiltered, “brain to hand” design. What was once a source of anxiety, the risk of doing something different, has become the very engine propelling ByFalase forward.
Set to launch in the coming weeks, Sirenia is a shift towards fearless storytelling, where fantasy, desire, and womanhood converge in fabric, form, and intention.
