ISRAELLA KOBLA
Emefa Kuadey presented her brand ISRAELLA KOBLA on Wednesday 9th October Vancouver Fashion Week SS20 .What says S/S 2020, the brand ISRAELLA KOBLA certainly does. ISRAELLA KOBLA is the label by Canadian designer Emefa Kuadey. This British born designer came to Canada to study at Carleton University in Ottawa in 2009 and has made Canada home since. In fact this is the 2nd launch of this label, she first launched the label in 2012. However, a more practical career called, and Emefa returned to university to finish a degree in Civil Engineering. In this case, as it is in many Emefa Kuadey’s first passion won out and she eventually returned to her first love fashion.
Diversity has been my returning theme on these posts from Vancouver Fashion Week S/S 2020. Notably, this theme arises in the biography of Emefa Kuadey when in 2012 she visited her native Ghana. While there Emefa studied sewing and pattern drafting. Fast forward to 2018 and while studying fashion at George Brown College Emefa was involved in African Fashion Week in Toronto. I love to see how all these different designers draw inspiration from their diverse cultures.
ISRAELLA KOBLA THE COLLECTION
“Freed from CAPTIVITY”
The title of this collection “Freed from CAPTIVITY” refers to Emefa Kuadey’s “departure from her corporate prison into the realm of fashion”. Certainly, this theme of an escape from a corporate career to artistic endeavors is an idea that is common. This freedom from the often conservative corporate world is reflected in the sensual, chic creations of Kuadey.
A spring/summer collection is often about rebirth and renewal for the coming season. Certainly this evident in the chic , sophisticated collection presented by ISRAELLA KOBLA. The color palette is clean, crisp and limited to white, black ,grey and shades of blue. A recurring striped pattern is used vertically and horizontally , it is bold and reflects the strong bold patterns often found in African textiles.
What stands out to me about this collection is the combination of the sophisticated color scheme with the.refined streamlined silhouettes. A dark pencil skirt coupled with a striped top with cut-out is a signature piece. The striped fabric is used to create a body conscious dress with puffed ballooned sleeves, sensual and chic.
