Contemporary African prints get new energies in Oluwadamilola Ayeni’s designs as the U.K-based designer keep blending tradition and modernity.
Between October last year and the first quarter of 2025, Ayeni’s fashion line known as Dazzle Me Couture has lifted the creative depth of African designs. Her works of modern, traditional and contemporary wears took over runways of two shows themed ‘Driven by Dreams’ and ‘Coming of Age’, in Middlesbrough, U.K. Organised by Stick & Stones Studios and Taste of Africa North East, the two shows explained how Dazzle Me Couture has been taking African fashion to a new level, even as a fledging fashion line.
Ayeni has put in over seven years of creativity in the design field, applying her skills in sketching, and also possesses proficient use of industrial sewing machines. When she set out with Dazzle Me Couture, in 2017, her corporate goals were well defined: to conduct comprehensive market research, demonstrate expertise in material selection and production techniques, as well as ensuring optimal choices for product development. And more importantly, among other aims, she added “is to manage budgetary considerations effectively in running a personal mini-business, showcasing financial acumen.”
Currently, it is no surprise that Ayeni’s dream of making Dazzle Me Couture a global brand is gradually becoming a reality. During her last fashion show themed Driven By Dreams, the works she presented reflected high depth of creativity comparable to premium quality of global taste.
Ayeni’s Dazzle Me Couture joined quite a number of other fashion lines at her the Middlesbrough show, in which she shared her thoughts on “Dreams woven in culture, elegance, and the future.” Among her presentations on the show’s runways was a two-piece of female trousers and top that celebrated the colours of African prints.
“The green patterned Ankara trouser and top represent vitality, empowerment and confidence,” Ayeni explained the focus of the design. “The design was crafted to show how African fashion is evolving through style, modernity and tradition.”
Ayeni further highlighted the creative depth of the show on her Instagram page @dazzle_me_couture, as she presented other designs. Among such designs was an outfit of blue patterned Ankara, which she described as “embodies freedom, versatility, and a bold fashion statement, making it perfect for both casual and chic occasions.” According to Ayeni, the design celebrates the evolution of African fashion mixed with culture.
From being exclusively used for native and indigenous designs, the Ankara fabric has found contemporary forms, recently. Among such new forms is being used as trousers for tops, generally. For Ayeni, there are more to the fabric of which she brings quite some interpretations, in poetic context. “The orange patterned Ankara jumpsuit mixed with cream organza embodies bold sophistication, cultural heritage, and contemporary elegance,” Ayeni described the vibrancy of the print. “The vibrant orange pattern represents energy, confidence, and luxury, while the soft cream organza adds a touch of creativity, femininity, and modern refinement to the design.” She added that the combination of “structured Ankara with the feel of organza symbolizes the balance between strength and grace, tradition and innovation.”
After her B.Tech(Hons) in Agricultural Science from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria, Ayeni started her journey in design when she apprenticed Moda Camella Fashion House in 2016. Currently expecting MA Design, from Teesside University, U.K, she had a robust experience as an intern at Taste of Africa North East.
She served as event coordinator at Taste of Africa, responsible for orchestrating diverse activities including carnivals, youth awards, and Miss Black History beauty pageants. her profile included lead designer contributing to the creation and design of carnival costumes, demonstrating a keen eye for detail and creative flair.
