By Chinazam Ikechi-Uko.
The Aria dress.
The term ‘roaring 20s’ is synonymous with the 1920s. However, only four years into the 2020s, they have proven to match the energy of their 1900s counterpart. From music to fashion, the art scene, especially in Nigeria, has been turning the world’s head. 2025 is already gearing up to be a great year for fashion, and ROFEEA K has lit the torch for the standard to expect.
ROFEEA K is the apparel production company powering the stunning designs of several established brands. However, Komolafe sees the 2020s as the perfect decade to officially launch her clothing brand after decades of working behind the scenes. So let’s go into the industry’s newest obsession, ROFEEA K’s latest collection, POISE AND PALETTE.
WHAT IS ROFEEA K:
The Olivia dress.
ROFEEA K is the brainchild of industry insider Rofiat Komolafe. It is an emerging label in the African space. As described by Fashion Ghana, “It seamlessly blends the rich, colourful essence of African fashion with the sleek, contemporary lines of Western styles.” However, ROFEEA K’s background in fashion runs deeper than the Congo River.
The first phase launched in 2013 as strictly a fabric distribution business. In 2017, it was reintroduced as an apparel production company, a title it still holds to date. The structure of an apparel manufacturing brand connected with several established brands at home and abroad.
In a Google Meet conversation with Komolafe, when asked to name-drop her clients, she remained tight-lipped, saying she prefers to assume confidentiality with her clients.
For the second phase, ROFEEA K explored Komolafe’s passion for fashion design by creating custom garments. After a few years of testing the waters as a bespoke designer, she officially launched Rofeea K in 2020, creating a clothing brand and apparel-producing company.
On her decision, she said, “I realised I love it. I have always loved it, I studied Business at University but even back then I was running my blog. I posted my OOTD– an acronym for outfit of the day, made outfit collages and had discussions about clothes.”
Since 2020, Rofeea K has unveiled a few collections and is slowly building its signature. These collections included the breakout 2023’s Identity. Identity saw the rise of a new type of office wear. Before the microtrend of the Office Siren, Komolafe designed a collection that enabled women to add personality to their office looks. A breakaway from the dingy mould associated with work.
Her drive to create an innovative, fun, and modern office collection stems from her ethos of fashion. “I like it when people feel good. I want to make people feel good, and a good outfit does that. I think fashion should be fun, dynamic and daring.”
A similar approach can be seen in her latest collection, Poise and Palette.
MEET POISE AND PALETTE:
For Poise and Palette, ROFEEA K leans into its strength of fabric manipulation and uses voluminous silhouettes. The collection is a metaphor for optimism. It utilises bright and vibrant colours as a means to evoke a certain feeling in the eyes of the beholder.
This feeling is happiness; it incorporates loose silhouettes to reference freedom. Another key focus in the collection is its use of the Empire Line style for its dresses.
Kemena Dress by ROFEEA K.
The empire line silhouette is a classic style that has been popular for centuries. It is characterized by a high waistline that sits just below the bust, creating a long, flowing line from the shoulders to the hem. This style is often associated with elegance and femininity, and it can be flattering for many body types.
The Empire Line silhouette originated in ancient Greece and Rome, where it was popularized in togas and tunics. The style experienced a resurgence in popularity during the Regency era in England when it was adopted by fashionable women like Jane Austen’s heroines.
The Kemena dress leans into this classic theme of poise and femininity. It incorporates top-stitched knife pleats from its shoulder line to the torso before cutting off into a flowing dress.
The collection follows another recurring theme– its use of pleats and ruffles as can be seen on the Aria dress. It uses an intricate ruffle technique to enhance the shoulders.
A fitting shape for a collection called Poise and Palette. It shows Komolafe’s dedication to telling a story.
ROFEEA K shoots to make a significant impact in the fashion industry as it launches its latest collection, Poise and Palette. This collection not only reflects a deep understanding of fabric and design but also embodies a fresh perspective on modern fashion—one that emphasizes individuality, joy, and confidence.
