A-ARTs: Tradition, modernity blend of Ayeni's Dazzle Me Couture design

Oluwadamilola Ayeni's Dazzle Me Couture on runway during 'Driven By Dreams' show, U.K.

By Ola Alowoloke

DESIGNS of African descents took a leap with freshness as a U.K-based designer, Oluwadamilola Ayeni's works celebrated contemporary prints on the runways.

With over seven years experience in areas such as sketching and great depth in creativity, Ayeni, in the last one year has proven her worth. Her fashion line known as Dazzle Me Couture showed in October last year and the first quarter of 2025. For each show, Ayeni's works blended modern with traditional textures and contemporary fashion flavour. The shows themed 'Driven by Dreams' and 'Coming of Age', were held in Middlesbrough, U.K, and organised by Stick & Stones Studios and Taste of Africa North East.

Ayeni formally announced Dazzle Me Couture, in 2017, setting her creative goals, which included to conduct comprehensive market research, demonstrate expertise in material selection and production techniques, as well as ensuring optimal choices for product development. She stated that her goals, among others, "is to manage budgetary considerations effectively in running a personal mini-business, showcasing financial acumen."

With the aim of making Dazzle Me Couture an iconic brand in global fashion space, Ayeni, for example, always select colours with designs that are mixed of conservative and populist textures. Among such designs were a two-piece of female trousers and top, on parade during the Driven By Dreams show.

In such a gathering like Driven by Dreams where different designers showed their best, every brand has individual views of the theme of the show. For Ayeni, the Middlesbrough fashion show was about "Dreams woven in culture, elegance, and the future." This much she displayed in an outfit of Ankara, which she noted "embodies freedom, versatility, and a bold fashion statement, making it perfect for both casual and chic occasions." The blue patterned ankara celebrates "the evolution of African fashion mixed with culture," Ayeni explained.

The contemporary popularity of the Ankara fabrics in diverse styles was seen on display during the Driven By Dreams show, last year. Ayeni's Dazzle Me Couture lined up six models on parade for the diverse applications of the Ankara fabrics. From designs such as gown, modest to bold skimpy wears, the display by the models asserted the beauty and elegance of creative strength of Ayeni.

The energy she displayed during last year show was stepped up in April 2025 at the 'Coming of Age' show. Sharing her thoughts, Ayeni explained that the combination of the Ankara and the texture of organza both "symbolizes the balance" that exists in the contents fashion such as tradition elegance and creativity.

"The orange patterned Ankara jumpsuit mixed with cream organza embodies bold sophistication, cultural heritage, and contemporary elegance," Ayeni celebrated the Ankara 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."

Currently holding a MA Design, from Teesside University, U.K, Ayeni had earlier set up Dazzle Me Couture, in 2017. She defined the fashion line's corporate goals: 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."

As an intern at Taste of Africa North East, Ayeni served as Event Coordinator who was responsible for orchestrating diverse activities such as carnivals, youth awards, and Miss Black History beauty pageants. And as a lead designer, she contributed to the creation and design of carnival costumes, demonstrating a keen eye for detail and creative flair.

While in Nigeria, Ayeni got B.Tech(Hons) in Agricultural Science from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. Ayeni set out on her design carrier when she apprenticed Moda Camella Fashion House in 2016.

More on Ayeni's works can be viewed on her Instagram page @dazzle_me_couture.

For Gbemi, art & design go with ladies' sanitary health