Fabslay has built a reputation for creating custom pieces that prioritise confidence, elegance, and a modern sense of femininity. Under creative director and fashion designer Gladys Ebiawurubo, the brand’s work blends simplicity with detail, often walking the line between timeless design and current trend.

The Fabslay25 collection continues in that direction with four distinct looks. The craft is evident, but not every design choice fully capitalises on the brand’s strengths.

Crystal

Crystal opens the collection with a maxi gown in onyx scuba crepe. The Queen Anne neckline is adjusted here; the back is lowered to the shoulder line, the front shaped into a softened sweetheart with a folded white insert. It’s a neat variation that gives the bodice definition without excess.

Trumpet-style bell sleeves extend the line of the arm, adding balance to the silhouette. A seam at the mid-waist connects bodice to skirt, reinforced with shaped stone detailing at the lower section. The back zip is discreet.

While the construction is solid, the mid-waist seam could be elevated with an integrated belt effect to break up the solid colour. Offering the gown in varied lengths would also widen its appeal.

White Fantasy

White Fantasy is a two-piece set: a strapless halter bodice in white crepe paired with straight-cut trousers.

The halter is reversed, bringing straps from the back to the front, and finished with a Basque (V) waistline. The trousers, though straight, carry a slight volume, finished with small bow ties below the waistline.

The outfit is feminine and well-proportioned, though adding detachable sleeves could make the piece more adaptable across customer preferences and settings.

Damsel

Damsel shares some DNA with White Fantasy — a strapless halter bodice with a Basque waistline — but opts for a rounded U-curve at the waist and trades trousers for a full-length ruffled skirt.

The rows of carefully layered satin ruffles deliver texture and movement, but the similarity in the bodice design makes it feel less distinct within the collection. A different neckline or alternate strap treatment would give the piece its own identity without losing cohesion.

But from waist down, the dress is brought to life by endless rows and layers of ruffles running from the waistline to the bottom of the piece. With carefully pleated layers, the eccentric addition gives the piece a soft and sophisticated landing.

Mini black dress

A puffed mini black dress closes the set with the most commercially versatile design. Cut from cotton with a touch of elastane, it features a low-neck collar, neatly structured flaps, and puffed long sleeves that taper to the wrist.

The proportions are sharp, the fabric choice practical, and the finish clean. It’s adaptable, suited for corporate settings and social occasions alike, and likely to be a strong seller with minimal modification needed.

Fabslay25 reinforces the brand’s eye for proportion and detail. The strongest moments come when design choices push beyond standard references, as seen in the modified Queen Anne neckline and reverse halter. Where it falls short is in repetition between pieces and missed opportunities to adjust for broader wearability.

With sharper variation across designs, the brand’s technical skill could shine even more.