If we’ve learned anything from the SS22 collections that designers have shown, it’s that a bold and bright mood has arrived and is here to stay. Brands have played with textures and fabrics, sending out pieces with ruffles and prints in mood-boosting colors that herald the warm spring weather to come.
One shade that has stood out among the rainbow of colors is green, which is widely known to represent life, renewal, nature and energy. It also helps that brand such as Bottega Veneta and Jacquemus have made it their signature color for seasons now, and the undisputed color of 2021 is has plenty of staying power.
So if you want to get in on the optimistic mood and add some green to your wardrobe for spring, see below for five ways to do so courtesy of African and Black-owned designer brands including Andrea Iyamah and EDAS.
Andrea Iyamah
Heading on vacation? Embrace warm weather with the Gara two-piece bikini from Lagos-based brand Andrea Iyamah, comprising a slim-fit crew-neck top with matching bottoms. The brand takes its cues from nature to create its designs and motifs, so it’s no surprise to see that the bikini’s mushroom-inspired pleats are rendered in a leafy green hue. The bikini top has underwire cups for a comfortable fit and retro high-cut bottoms for full coverage.
Simon and Mary
Accessories may be the very last additions to an outfit, but they have a huge potential of setting the tone for the entire look. The leather Cactus bucket hat by South African milliner Simon and Mary is sure to add a playful touch to your look. Handcrafted in Johannesburg from vegan leather sourced from the leaves of the Nopal cactus plant, the sustainable bona fides of this hat mean that it will last in your wardrobe for many years to come.
EDAS
This season’s handbags come in several distinct shapes and sizes but the most exciting ones come in bright and bold hues. This Yshaia Bag is a signature piece for New York-based accessories brand EDAS, standing out with its pine-green shade and oversized tortoise-shell buckle. The soft leather bag has an adjustable strap, a magnetic closure as well as an inside pocket for cards and wallets, making it a practical and chic choice for every day.
ALC
South African brand ALC is known for its understated, workwear-inspired pieces but it’s hard to miss the details on this Mthoko Shweshwe Shirt. Made from shweshwe fabric, a printed dyed cotton that’s characterised by intricate geometric patterns, this chartreuse piece is a stylish alternative to the traditional button-down shirt and will be a great focal point around which to build a smart-casual look.
CLAN
With its modern silhouette, color combination and silky finish, the Maryland Corset Dress from contemporary Nigerian brand CLAN is an eye-catching look that requires little else to make an impact. Featuring cut-outs, pleats and a blue-green mix that gives it a two-dimensional feel, the Maryland dress is a shortcut to effortless style that will work for dinners and weddings alike.
