The Unfold Collection: Exploring Versatility, Transformation and Self-Expression

The Unfold Collection was born from an exploration of versatility, transformation and the freedom to express oneself through clothing. The Unfold Collection draws inspiration from the bold fashion aesthetics of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, celebrating vibrant colours, playful silhouettes and retro styling. Featuring statement pieces such as pinafores, wide-leg trousers and flared skirts, the collection reinterprets the spirit of these decades through a contemporary lens, exploring versatility, individuality and self-expression.

Developed during my MA Fashion studies at Nottingham Trent University, the collection challenged conventional approaches to womenswear by exploring how garments could be adapted, restyled and transformed to create different silhouettes.

The collection was subsequently selected by Nottingham Trent University for its graduate showcase in London in June 2023, providing an opportunity to present my design work beyond the university environment and engage with the wider fashion community.

The Pieces: One Collection, Multiple Possibilities

The Transformable Pinafore

At the heart of the collection was a transformable pinafore designed around adaptability. Its versatility encouraged the wearer to explore different styling possibilities, demonstrating how a single garment could evolve through creative reconfiguration.

The Sheer Organza Puff-Sleeved Blouse

The sheer puff-sleeved blouse introduced softness, volume and a sense of playfulness. Its translucent fabric contrasted with more structured elements of the collection, creating an interplay between delicacy and bold form.

The Trousers

The trousers contributed structure and wearability, complementing the collection’s more expressive pieces. They formed part of the wider exploration of how individual garments could work together to create different looks.

The Asymmetric Skirt

The asymmetric skirt explored proportion and silhouette through an unconventional shape. Its distinctive form reinforced the collection’s emphasis on experimentation and the creative possibilities of contemporary womenswear.

Together, these pieces explored a central question: how can fashion offer women more freedom to experiment with their appearance while maintaining individuality and a coherent design identity?

From University Showcase to Industry Recognition

Being selected for Nottingham Trent University’s London graduate showcase was an important milestone in my development as a designer. The opportunity placed The Unfold Collection before a wider fashion audience and created space for engagement with professionals working within the industry.

These observations focused on the collection’s transformable elements, proportions and relationship between concept, form and function.

This recognition was particularly meaningful because it engaged with the design decisions behind the garments, rather than simply their appearance. It affirmed the value of experimentation, thoughtful construction and wearer-centred design in developing a distinctive fashion practice.

Continuing the Journey: The AFAA Award

The journey has continued beyond my postgraduate collection. In 2025, I received the Sustainable Fashion Designer of the Year award at the African Fashion and Arts Awards (AFAA), marking another milestone in my development as a fashion designer.

This achievement forms part of my wider journey through fashion, from postgraduate experimentation to presenting collections on fashion platforms and building MBW FashionAddict as a brand rooted in cultural expression, confidence and inclusivity.

Looking back, The Unfold Collection remains an important part of that journey. It represents a period of exploration that helped shape my approach to design: creating clothing that is expressive, adaptable and meaningful to the woman who wears it.

For me, fashion is not simply about creating a beautiful garment. It is about exploring possibilities, challenging expectations and giving women the freedom to unfold into different versions of themselves.

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