Pan-African womenswear designer, Ophelia Crossland has just launched her latest collection tagged ‘’Pure Love” for the Spring and Summer fashion season.
Produced on the lines of an international pandemic and a lockdown that has affected the fashion industry and African enterprises , the Ghanaian brand with a luxury African aesthetic delved into her notion of unadulterated love to create the new line.
The new collection is also launched at a time when discussions of women rights, Black rights and diversity have hit an all-time high. Filled with fresh pieces that celebrates the strength, resilience and joy of being a black woman in today’s world, creative director Ophelia Okyere-Darko explores the fusion of Ghanaian folklore symbols, modern silhouettes, vibrant textiles and feminine designs to craft the pieces.
Okyere-Darko, who is also a Swarovski West African Ambassador and a cultural Ambassador for Ghana with an abled team of artisans was able to create building blocks with Ghanaian adinkra symbols including “Obaapa” which means ‘Good Woman or Wife’ in Akan, a popular Ghanaian dialect.
“Our world has changed drastically in the past few months, which has pushed us to think on the edge, questioned some of our truths and become more daring,” Ophelia Okyere-Darko says.
“Women including myself have mostly been affected by the disruptions that have occurred in the world; juggling several roles in their homes and careers which has taken a toll on their mental health.
“Our new collection is our bold way of infusing joy and love into the lives of Black women, we are sparking a never-ending affair with women and their clothes.”
Building on its renewed creative spirit, fashion photographers Frozen Second and Mel Arthur collaborated on the new lookbook which was on the bustling streets at a time when the government of Ghana eased lockdown restrictions in parts of the country massively affected by the COVID-19.
Model also sported face masks along with notable pieces such as unique peach embroidered cotton tiered Midi dresses, Vintage cotton Kimonos, brocade panelled skirt and a floral crepe midi dress with a wax print collar.
As it explores a new path, the brand has also launched its e-commerce website in a continent where internet connectivity, electricity, delivery services and proper mapping system is an issue that affects business face but for an optimistic Ophelia Okyere-Darko, it creates the opportunity to conquer the obstacles and introduce her brand to every Modern Woman of Colour.
“As a black woman who is making clothes for my kilt and kin, I want their clothes to be an expression of their values and their ethnic identity but more than that I want everyone to have access to authentic Ophelia Crossland pieces which are inspired by the motherland and that’s why we launched a new e-commerce website like the top brands in the world to give everyone access,” she revealed.
The Pure Love Collection is available directly through the brand’s Flagship shop, its affiliate stockists and the new e-commerce website. For this African luxury womenswear brand, love is what the world needs in the era of racial injustice amidst the pandemic
“Love is radiant, charming and too beautiful to hidden in a closet just like our clothes,” she affirms.
