Nigerian fashion brand Chi and Stainless Fashion has officially launched its much-anticipated “NEW Accents” collection, a bold and refined take on traditional African fashion. The collection, which debuted on August 1st, 2025, signals a significant shift in how contemporary African design engages with heritage, utility, and storytelling on the global stage.
Designed by the brand’s founder and creative director, Chisom Ilo, “NEW Accents” is a visual dialogue between tradition and modernity. The collection draws from Ankara fabric’s deep cultural roots while embracing minimalist silhouettes, structured tailoring, and a clean, timeless colour palette.
“The NEW Accents collection is about identity and presence,” said Chisom. “It’s my way of telling our story without shouting a quiet kind of luxury that speaks through form, balance, and authenticity.”
From flared high-waisted trousers and sharply cut dresses to architectural peplum tops and gender-fluid silhouettes, the pieces in this collection reflect both strength and softness. The deliberate use of neutrals like black and white, accented by rich golds and indigenous prints, grounds the collection in African aesthetics while projecting an international appeal.
“NEW Accents” distinguishes itself from the mainstream by stripping away the often-excessive elements associated with Ankara fashion, replacing them with thoughtful simplicity and a focus on the individual. According to the brand, each garment is designed not just to be worn but to be experienced a celebration of detail over decoration.
Chi and Stainless Fashion, which has previously showcased at events like the Black Culture Edition of Arcade Fashion Week Season 7, continues to rise in prominence for its ready-to-wear collections that blend cultural reverence with modern relevance.
Chisom, who has worked with public figures and contributed as a creative designer to both local and international brands, brings a distinctive voice to Nigerian fashion. Her approach highlights the power of design to both honour history and challenge the norms of beauty and structure in fashion.
With “NEW Accents,” she adds another chapter to this narrative one that’s bold, elegant, and unapologetically African.
“The future of African fashion is not just about prints or trends,” she affirmed. “It’s about grounding ourselves in who we are, and then using design as a medium to express that quietly, confidently, and globally.”
As Chi and Stainless Fashion continues to carve its space in the industry, “NEW Accents” stands as a testament to the evolving language of African fashion one where restraint meets innovation, and tradition finds new life in the now.
