SIMEON BENJAMIN AND THE NEW ERA OF AFRICAN PRINTS

Tosin Clegg

There’s always been this desire to create something unique, something that speaks to the soul when it comes to fashion. For some, the challenge lies in marrying the richness of contemporary style to the traditional pieces. While to others, the uniqueness comes from playing it safe.

We have all seen beautiful, traditional fabrics like Ankara sitting in our wardrobes, full of history, but we struggle to bring them into the modern world. How do we embrace these stunning fabrics and wear them without feeling like we are stuck in another era—the olden days?

For many, Ankara is a treasure, a piece of Africa’s soul that is woven into fabric but styling it in a way that feels both fresh and fitting for today’s trends can often feel demanding. There’s fine art to blending traditional culture with modern ways of designs, wearing something that conveys message and still feels very relevant, chic, and, most importantly, wearable. This is where Simeon Benjamin steps in, he has not only found a way to make it work but has completely revolutionised how we view African prints in the context of contemporary fashion.

Simeon Benjamin Akpan’s love for African prints began in his childhood, inspired by watching his mother create custom-made garments in their small home. This early exposure ignited a passion to pick interest and enhance African prints, making them more vibrant and captivating through the use of bright colours and innovative designs.

In 2018, Simeon founded his label, “SimBena,” with a mission to celebrate traditional African aesthetics while fostering inclusivity and joy. Each collection is thoughtfully crafted to bring happiness, enabling wearers to express their inner joy to those around them.

Simeon’s Afrocentric label has introduced significant innovations, particularly in empowering women who have long advocated for bodily autonomy. Through his designs, he aims to inspire freedom and joy, encouraging customers to express themselves confidently and authentically.

His work has gained attention from prominent media across Africa and is sold through leading fashion platforms. Simeon has showcased his collections in different stages throughout his fashion journey, further solidifying his impact in the fashion industry.

Through his brand SimBena, he has given a new dimension of life to the iconic Ankara, transforming it into a global symbol of self-expression and joy. What makes his work stand out is the way he has always tried to combine the traditional with the modern, making it easy for anyone, regardless of their background or experience with African fashion.

In 2022, he released a collection that created a buzz in the fashion world. Many people had opinions to share about the design. Some had praises, while some had criticism.

Let’s find out if the collection is really worth the hype.

The green Ankara gown above is the first piece in the collection and it immediately captures the attention of everyone with its vibrant look and rich fabric. The deep green base is adorned with different kinds of shapes in soft red hues. The fabric also contains tiny square shapes which add a nice touch and feel to the material, while an ashen grey balances the bold colours, blending the design in a simple look yet mature.

The fitted bodice hugs the body of the garment gently from the top to the waist, creating a sleek silhouette that transitions into a dramatic A-line skirt. From the waist, the gown flows casually to the floor, sweeping gracefully with every step.

The short sleeves are gathered at the shoulders, adding volume and structure, while the round collar provides a clean, simple finish that frames the face. A deep slit runs from the ground to the lap, adding an unexpected touch of beauty and class as it reveals a hint of leg with each stride.

The gown’s design speaks to both elegance and freedom, with every detail carefully crafted to enhance movement and shape. The contrast of black shoes complements the gown’s bold colours.

Nigerians will say; ‘looking take away’

With this stunning outfit and confident presence, the wearer would easily capture anyone’s attention. Her appearance beautifully highlighted the essence of modern fashion while preserving the rich African heritage, showcasing SimBena’s commitment to blending contemporary styles with traditional elements.

A recommendation for this dress could be to reduce the length of the slit which reaches the thigh to somewhere around the knee, making the wearer feel comfortable while sitting and giving it a modest look.

Overall, this is a beautiful work of art.

One can see that those early moments, spent learning from his mother’s works ignited something deep within him something that later shaped the future of his craft. Simeon saw how clothing is about wearing a piece of culture, about expressing pride, joy, and individuality. And, from there, his love for African prints was born. Now, he creates surreal pieces.

What Simeon has done with SimBena is something so remarkable. He has made African patterns, particularly Ankara something golden in modern wardrobes, seamlessly blending them with designs that speak to both the past and the present.

Whether it’s a bold, geometric Ankara print paired with a sleek, contemporary silhouette or a vibrant, floral pattern reimagined for everyday wear, Simeon has perfected the art of turning what once felt like niche, occasion-only fashion into something wearable, chic, and versatile.

His designs are not just about aesthetics, they are about feeling. They speak to the wearer’s desire to be seen. The bold colours, the striking patterns, the way the fabric hugs the body or flows with the movement of life, all of these elements come together to create more than just clothes.

Through his work, he has shown that culture doesn’t have to be relegated to the past, nor does modern style have to lose its depth and meaning. SimBena is a celebration of the idea that culture and fashion can live together in perfect harmony, and wearing your heritage can be as stylish and relevant as any contemporary trend.

This second dress is a soft, light green masterpiece that instantly draws the attention of the audience with its playful design. The fabric, adorned with vibrant blue and red shapes, creates a visual rhythm. Similar to the first dress, it hugs the body at the top, then flows down gracefully, creating a wide, billowing silhouette that moves beautifully with each step.

The dress skims both legs, offering a gentle, flowing movement that feels as effortless as it looks. The upper part of the dress has a stunning butterfly-inspired shape, while the short sleeves are crafted with attached fabric at the shoulders, giving the dress an angelic, fluttering effect, as though the wearer could take flight at any moment.

The dress makes the wearer feel confident and well-composed. It’s a design that’s bold and combines grace with a touch of class. The V-neckline adds an elegant depth to the top, drawing the eye downward to a triangular cut at the tummy. This simple cut reveals just a little part of the skin, offering a peek at the designer’s stomach without being over-revealing.

Unlike the first gown, this dress does not have any slit, keeping the design sleek and uninterrupted. The fabric flows fluently from top to bottom, creating a sense of continuous motion, almost as if the dress itself is alive. It exudes an angelic charm, soft, delicate, and truly feminine, making it a perfect choice for someone who wants to make a statement with beauty and ease. Every detail of this dress speaks to timeless beauty design with a touch of fantasy.

Simeon’s designs are a call to action, a reminder that we are free to express ourselves, to celebrate our individuality, and to wear our joy. He is not just crafting garments; he is designing an entire way of life. His collections have had a transformative impact on the fashion industry, his pieces have empowered women to embrace their bodies and their beauty, encouraging them to take ownership of their identity. His designs are built for those who want to stand out, to make a statement, and to wear their freedom with pride. Each creation is an expression of identity, art, and culture. It appeals to women who appreciate both fashion and art.