The Ankara Fashion business has hit a global benchmark in recent times. Everyone seems to be catching up with the Ankara fashion, even celebrities. Beyonce was spotted wearing the fabric but what took the cake was the fact that the fabric had been designed by an Italian. This is to tell you how far the Ankara fashion print has gone, to the point that not only Africans use the fabric to craft beautiful dresses but also different designers across the world, irrespective of race.

Another celebrity who was seen rocking Ankara designs is Rihanna on several occasions. Her confident use of the material has also influenced several people across the world to experiment with the African fashion print. Former First Lady, United States, Michele Obama, has also been seen wearing the Ankara design print. Yara Shidi, the young actress and activist and Iman, one of the iconic models has also been seen rocking the prints.

All of the above-mentioned names have influenced the impact of the Ankara prints. Now, the fabric is in demand across the world. The contributions of several designers using the Ankara design across the globe have given the fabric global recognition.

The global boom of the Ankara print has brought several jobs to fashion creatives and also increased the number of designers in Africa. At every nook and cranny, you will find at least two couturiers creating and making outfits that are tailored to meet the needs of the customers.
The evolution of Ankara fashion has created several means of livelihood for people, from the print designers, the people who design the materials, to the dressmakers who make it into a resonating outfit.

Ankara creates bold designs that usually reflect the cultures and traditions of the African people. Plus, the fabric can also be used to create different kinds of clothing and accessories. This makes it very versatile in the hands of fashion designers these are some of the things that make Ankara fashion so unique and very marketable.

One of the African designers who uses Ankara fabric to sew beautiful designs is the founder of SimBena, Nigerian-born Simeon Akpan. He mastered his craft by learning at his mother’s feet when he watched her design beautiful dresses in their small apartment.

Now, Akpan carries on that legacy by creating pieces that spread joy to the wearer. Through his brand, SimBena which he founded in 2018, Simeon has paved the way for himself in the fashion industry. He is one to look up to when it comes to creating exceptional pieces that leave many awestruck. Little wonder when he released his 2021 collection, it left the fashion world mesmerised. The collection houses pieces that are creative, stunning and most importantly original.
Having a look at the offerings, it is clear that a lot of thought and hard work was put into every cut and stitch.
This outfit from the 2021 collection is a masterpiece. The beauty begins with the fabric prints; the choice of material colours and accents shows that the couturier has a good eye for beauty. The dress is a cropped Ankara blouse and a loose-fitting trouser. The outfit is a blend of many colours. The hue ranges from blue to orange, black, and yellow. The dress has brown as the dominant colour. Still, it is what you would call a balanced hue.
The colours blue, black, yellow and most parts of the orange form an accent that reveals the shape of the flower prints. The garment has a cropped-up top that reveals the midriff of a lady, which of course is what most ladies of this 21st century love, a dress that shows feminism with a thick underline.

The neckline is round, allowing zero show of skin or cleavage. The long sleeve has a mildly large volume along the arm but is tapered at the wrist area.

The trouser is well tailored to fit a slim waist which flows towards the knee and ankle. It gradually gets bulky and acquires more volume, which completely covers the feet. The garment is a thoughtful design; it shows the ingenuity of the designer. You will agree that the designer must have had the younger generation in mind when crafting this design. It is a design that the younger folks will resonate more with because it displays modern fashion; the kind a social lady will love.

Several ladies will go for the garment because the prints are creatively great; the design looks sexy, with an opportunity to show off some skin, though little, and it is well suited for social events.

This is a dress that will make you feel like you’re slaying when you put it on, it will give you that confident feeling of being admired when people stare at you. The designer’s mind must have been centred on women, who love to feel admired and are not afraid to know that they are being talked about at a gathering or function.

Some dresses will make people approach you at a function and try to start a conversation with you about how gorgeous you look, and this is it. This is the kind of dress that could score you a life partner; hence the reason why the young will resonate more with it.

This 2021 collection is what some people would call a ‘killer’ in a positive way because the beautiful designs are standout pieces. The designs are attractive, in a way that makes you do a double-take at a boutique when the outfit is spotted.

The second garment is also a cropped-up Ankara blouse, a style that relates and connects with the majority of the young ladies. This outfit looks like an elegant blend of African and Western design.

The dress has a round neckline which fits the neck. It has a long sleeve with ruffles attached at the seams, which gives it an ornately crafted look. The dress speaks of intelligence and elegance. It flows inches below the chest area and reveals the midriff, which gives the design a sexy view.

The dress is of different blend of colours, coming together to make a beautiful piece. The hue of the Ankara blouse ranges from purple to wine and a tinge of yellow.

The trousers give African Ankara vibes coupled with Western print vibes. You will agree that the trouser material is a great choice; the multiple stripes of sky-blue and different shades of brown are aligned side by side. It blends fashionably with the blouse and together, they form a simple, but aesthetic piece. Though the designer could have made the trouser slimmer with less volume; it would have given a better shape to the one who wears it.

The designer had the younger generation in mind when this piece was crafted. This is an outfit that no doubt compels attention at a gathering of people. This is an outfit that will make people want to relate with you at a social function. The downside to this outfit is the versatility. It might not be ideal for a religious gathering. Overall, Simeon Benjamin Akpan’s 2021 collection is specially designed for the young. It is fresh, vibrant and full of energy.