BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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Celebrated fashion designer Tia Adeola marked a significant milestone at New York Fashion Week, unveiling her Fall/Winter 2025 collection to commemorate a decade in the industry. The collection paid homage to her Nigerian heritage, prominently featuring the nation’s flag colors and cultural motifs. Adeola’s signature ruffles were reimagined with elevated designs and enhanced craftsmanship, reflecting her growth and evolution over the past ten years.
The journey to this landmark collection began in April 2024, following a period Adeola spent in Nigeria due to health reasons. Opting to forgo the September fashion week, she dedicated herself entirely to conceptualizing and developing this collection. This hiatus allowed her to delve deeper into her roots, resulting in designs that seamlessly blend traditional Nigerian elements with contemporary fashion.
Throughout her career, Adeola has been renowned for her distinctive use of ruffles and sheer fabrics, drawing inspiration from Renaissance art and fashion history. Her designs have consistently challenged norms, offering a modern twist on historical aesthetics. This latest collection continues that narrative, presenting pieces that are both innovative and deeply personal.
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Reflecting on the challenges faced over the past decade, Adeola acknowledges the rising costs in garment production and a perceived decline in support for Black designers since the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement. Despite these hurdles, she remains optimistic and committed to her craft, expressing confidence in her current work and its direction.
Looking ahead, Adeola envisions expanding her brand into various categories, including retail stores, leather goods, jewelry, and fragrances. Her ambition is not only to grow her brand but also to inspire and make a lasting impact within the fashion industry. As she celebrates this ten-year milestone, Adeola’s focus remains on innovation, cultural representation, and empowering the next generation of designers.
The Tia Adeola brand, formerly known as “Slashed by Tia,” was launched in 2016 while Adeola was a student in New York City. Drawing from her art history studies, she became fascinated with the Renaissance period, particularly the absence of Black figures in its art. This led her to create designs that reimagine historical garments, incorporating ruffles and sheer fabrics to challenge contemporary fashion norms. Over the years, her unique aesthetic has garnered attention from celebrities and fashion enthusiasts alike, solidifying her place in the industry.
