Aissata Ibrahima is a London based ready-to-wear brand focused on breaking down traditional boundaries in a gendered appeal. After working on design teams for various London brands, combined with her experience in Luxury fashion, Aisssata launched her namesake label in November 2019 with the debut collection entitled “Lovers”.
For Collection II entitled ‘The Beginning’, Aissata takes inspiration from old family photos centring around her mother’s 90’s wardrobe and combining this with her continuous exploration of elevating classic pieces, adding a contemporary twist and playing with contrast through a variety of elements.
“My mother’s wardrobe was mainly tailoring, and it was impeccable. It included oversized jackets and masculine cut trousers, yet everything was worn in a feminine and chic way. Everything I love about clothing, I wanted to see how I can add a bit of my aesthetic to that, whilst continuing to share my language of tailoring. I feel like last season was an introduction to the brand and this collection is just more of an insight to the world I want to create and the pieces I want to make, it’s only the beginning”. – Aissata Ibrahima.
The SS21 collection explores the idea of breaking up masculine silhouettes in ways that subtly show off the skin in a feminine and alluring way. Throughout the collection, Aissata introduces the idea of being able to wear a garment more than one way, with the trench coat and blazers folded under themselves to create a statement silhouette, they can also be worn long and oversized with trousers and a detachable skirt to add versatility to the pieces. Tops made from a rectangle, folded multiple times to create an “easy top” with a twist are an insight into the direction the brand is moving in with the addition of separates and wardrobe building pieces.
The colour block detailing from the designer’s debut collection is further reimagined throughout the look book with full contrast looks in classic muted tones lifted with more subtle colours such as ice blue and lemon. A strong-shouldered, satin tuxedo suit contrasted with silk organza adding a softness to the look but strength in its rigid form is a nod to the brand’s aim of endowing strength to femininity and delicacy to masculinity.
The campaign is seen on Aissata herself and her brother, a family affair and a continuance of design that creates its own rules regarding the gender of its wearer.