Nella Stitches 2023 summer collection: Fluid femininity unveiled at an exclusive showcase in Woodstock, Cape Town
By Odunayo Ojo
At the recent Cape Town launch of Nella Stitches’ 2023 summer collection, designer Oluwabunmi Bolawa presented a vision that intersects utility, craft, and elegance in a way that signals her deepening maturity as a creative director.
The 20-piece collection, titled “Fluid Femininity,” moves away from seasonal trend-chasing and toward intentional experimentation with silhouette, fabrication, and dual-functionality. While the ambition is evident, aspects of the execution still leave room for refinement.
Launched at an intimate showcase in Woodstock, Cape Town, on the 9th of December 2023, the collection reflects Nella Stitches’ versatility.
Designed for the upwardly mobile woman who insists on both structure and soul, Bolawa’s silhouettes oscillate between softness and steel, evoking a woman in motion, never static, never confined.
Let’s unpack the collection’s most compelling and conflicted moments.
Look 1: Pleated maxi skirt and sculpted vest
Silhouette
A full, floor-length pleated skirt anchored by a sharply cut vest. The proportions are exaggerated; the skirt flows generously while the vest remains tailored.
Fabric and finish
Matte and textured satins with color-blocking between dusty mauve and plum, offering depth without distraction. The pleating adds a dynamic softness to the otherwise sculptural look.
Design review
Arguably the collection’s most resolved pairing. The architectural sensibility here wide lapels, boxy tailoring, and exaggerated pockets give the look its modern edge. However, a cleaner button line or minimal hardware might have allowed the structure to shine more.
Creative direction
Here, Bolawa’s vision shines. There’s thoughtful tension between control and fluidity, which speaks directly to the collection’s name. It’s cerebral, wearable, and entirely on message.
Look 2: Cocoa mini set
Silhouette
Boxy cropped vest with an A-line pleated mini skirt. Subversively school-girl meets streetwise chic.
Fabric and finish
High-gloss chocolate satin detailed with metallic grommets and oversized cargo pockets. Reflectivity adds visual texture but can feel uneven under natural light.
Design review
There’s power in the boldness here, but also visual noise. With grommets, pleats, pockets, and sheen all jostling for dominance, the result risks tipping into costume territory. An edit could elevate it from concept to covetable.
Creative direction
Gen Z-coded and editorial-ready, this look is aimed at a niche audience. It delivers drama, but not necessarily versatility. A strong contender for the fashion-forward, less so for everyday wardrobes.
Look 3: Rust high-low lace dress
Silhouette
A fitted bodice opens into a dramatic high-low hem, classic femininity with a dramatic twist.
Fabric and finish
Burnt sienna lace layered over tonal lining with a touch of shimmer. The color flatters multiple skin tones and adds a warmth that’s perfect for summer evening wear.
Design review
This is the most accessible and retail-ready look in the collection. The lace speaks to nostalgia while the cut keeps it current. Though the ruffle detailing might benefit from paring back, the overall effect is captivating.
Creative direction
Polished and commercially viable. Expect to see this one on red carpets and resort soirées alike.
Look 4: Forest green utility set
Silhouette
A high-waisted, floor-length A-line skirt with an adjustable waistband, paired with a semi-sheer lace blouse. The utilitarian silhouette is softened with volume and drawstring detailing at the waist.
Fabric and finish
The use of sheer lace juxtaposed with a technical satin or taffeta blend gives this outfit a hybrid feels: part streetwear, part formalwear. The transparency in the top is tastefully done but slightly unbalanced by the volume below.
Design review
A bold attempt at high-function fashion, but slightly clunky in execution. Oversized patch pockets and shiny fabric bulk out the look; simplifying either would enhance wearability and silhouette balance. Still, the idea of merging sheer femininity with urban toughness is an inspired one.
Creative direction
Bolawa is chasing a vision of utilitarian femininity and while she doesn’t fully land it here, her ambition is clear and admirable.
Final reflection
With “Fluid Femininity,” Oluwabunmi Bolawa sets out to redefine the wardrobe of the 21st-century woman, one who is multifaceted, mobile, and unafraid of contradiction.
At times, the message is muddied by over-styling. But when her instinct is clean and confident, the result is magnetic.
This 20-piece capsule marks a compelling chapter in Bolawa’s evolution, brave in its experimentation, and personal in its craft. What it occasionally lacks in restraint, it more than makes up for in voice. Nella Stitches isn’t just making clothes; it’s making an argument for the complexity of modern womanhood, layered, powerful, and always in motion.
