Sesi Couture by Nella Stitches at The Epic Show 2024: A Confident Evolution from Culture to Couture

In the gilded halls of the Glitz Events Centre, Lekki, Lagos, from May 31st to June 1st, The Epic Show, Fashions Finest Africa’s most anticipated platform for emerging talent, proved once again that Africa’s creative voice in fashion is not only rising but roaring. This year’s theme, “Culture to Couture”, celebrated the evolution of African fashion into a powerhouse of high concept design, and few brands embodied that transformation as boldly as Nella Stitches, the South African label helmed by visionary designer Oluwabunmi Bolawa.

Already known for its signature fusion of Afro modern aesthetics, eco conscious materials, and sharp tailoring, Sesi Couture by Nella Stitches presented a 15 piece collection that danced between nostalgia and modernity. Among the lineup, four standout looks captured the very essence of the brand’s pan African vision, technical ambition, and flair for visual storytelling.

The Pan African Pantsuit

Few pieces on the runway felt as declarative as Nella Stitches’ printed pantsuit, an unflinching homage to the unity and diversity of Africa. Rendered in a kaleidoscopic motif echoing the topographical and cultural richness of the continent, this pantsuit did more than flatter the form it communicated.

The tailoring was precise, crisp in the shoulder with a deliberate drop at the waist, inviting a feminine strength that didn’t sacrifice elegance. The motif, subtly mirrored across the collar, cuffs, and hem, tied the look together in a way that was less literal and more lyrical. For a brand with a footprint that spans West, East, and Southern Africa, this was a fitting declaration: Nella Stitches is not just a South African label it is pan African at its core.

Lace Edged Pencil Dress

This dress, the second in the standout series, is a masterclass in contrast, both in texture and tone. The body hugging silhouette clung just enough to suggest strength without rigidity, while the black lace overlays at the bodice and knee imbued the piece with soft, sensual refinement.

And yet, the dress never veered into predictability. What elevated it was the inclusion of the signature Nella motif, discreet yet deliberate, threaded along the side panels and echoed in the lining. It spoke to a design philosophy that values coherence and continuity while also embracing the art of surprise. This piece would not look out of place in a Milan showroom, nor at a Lagos art gala its cosmopolitan adaptability is a signature strength of the brand.

The Side Slit Statement Dress

Couture is at its best when it balances provocation with purpose, and this third look, a one sleeve dress with twin slits running up both sides, was nothing short of architectural.

Here, asymmetry was used to powerful effect: a singular sleeve that climbed upward toward the shoulder rather than cascading down the arm, offered a fresh take on structural femininity. The slits, daring but not gratuitous, created verticality and motion, revealing just enough with each step to draw the eye upward to the shoulder’s unexpected silhouette.

Once again, the house motif was worked in seamlessly, not dominating the piece but giving it cohesion within the broader collection. This dress was a study in fluid rebellion, an ode to modern African women who lead with both grace and edge.

The Short Suit Set

Utility met style in Sesi Couture by Nella Stitches’ fourth standout: a short suit ensemble comprising a tailored shirt with double front pockets and smartly cut matching shorts. This look was a breath of fresh air, a nod to workwear that felt streetwise, elegant, and entirely adaptable.

The double pocketed shirt, while simple at first glance, featured subtle tailoring details that elevated it: gentle pleating at the back, slight puff at the sleeves, and clean seams that sat comfortably on the hips. The shorts, mid-thigh and unfussy, allowed for the kind of mobility and ease that Nella Stitches is known for.

Together, this look whispered sophistication while nodding to the label’s Afrocentric, utilitarian roots. In a world obsessed with maximalism, it was this look’s restraint that spoke volumes.

With this collection, Nella Stitches demonstrated not just design finesse but narrative maturity. Each piece carried threads of heritage, sustainability, and modernity, woven into garments that move from boardrooms to red carpets without missing a beat. The brand’s commitment to cultural storytelling, balanced with its embrace of upcycled and organic textiles like barkcloth, as seen in previous collections, places Oluwabunmi Bolawa in the vanguard of Africa’s fashion evolution. At The Epic Show, Nella Stitches didn’t just showcase clothes; it showcased what it means to wear one’s identity with pride and precision.