From the initial sketches to the final product, the Dela-Fin founder is creating her own style in modern luxury fashion, with attention to distinctive shapes and details.
Fashion design is often considered by the end result, the way the piece appears on a model, the quality of the fabric, the tailoring and the impression it makes when worn. But the concepts of a collection are important as well. For Adora Vanessa Mofunanya, co-founder and Creative Director of Dela-Fin, making beautiful clothes is just part of the job. She also has a desire to create a style that is individual, well-made and that is about the garment and the woman wearing it.
Currently in the United Kingdom, Mofunanya has built Dela-Fin around handmade luxury fashion. The brand has couture, ready-to-wear and custom designs. Every piece embodies a fusion of fabrics, shapes, textures and styling, and even the manner in which the garment is created and completed.
One thing that is very apparent in her work is her interest in contrast. She incorporates geometric forms with softer textiles, embellishes basic designs with striking elements and reinvents classic silhouettes by varying their forms, textures and embellishments. This provides her designs with an elegant and playful character.
The idea before the garment
Mofunanya’s design process begins even before the product is created. Sketching and design development allow for the exploration of potential silhouettes, proportions and how various elements may fit together. A sketch is not necessarily a fixed set of instructions, as the original idea can change during the process of turning it into a garment.
Why this step is important: The fashion concept must be translated into something that can be constructed, adapted and worn. The outline of a sleeve, where to decorate, how to balance a bodice or how a fabric drapes can alter the nature of a garment. The relationship between these decisions and the final design is an important aspect of Mofunanya’s creative process.
Her process also ensures that the designer remains involved in the creation. Dela-Fin refers to a handcrafted practice, while Mofunanya describes a practice involving design, cutting and finishing. This practical involvement creates a direct connection between the idea and its realisation. It also implies that creative choices can be taken into account alongside functional aspects of structure, material response and surface treatment.
When construction becomes part of the design
Dela-Fin’s take on silhouette and detail can be seen in the Her Refined 2025 collection. Items in the collection include the Elliana maxi dress, the Dolly oversized-bow corset top, the Lorrie sleeveless ruffled maxi dress, the Collette puff-shoulder mini dress and the Aurora trousers.
These designs show different ways of making an impact. The oversized bow adds volume and is a focal point instead of a minor finishing piece. The movement and texture of a maxi dress can be created with the use of ruffled layers, and the proportions of a shorter silhouette can be altered with accentuated shoulders. The tailored trousers, which extend beyond the occasion dresses and statement tops, are another highlight of the collection.
These features not only add to the decorative effect of the garments but also influence their construction and character. For example, volume needs to be carefully placed to create a desired silhouette and not overpower it. The proportion and placement of ruffles must be taken into account, and structured bodices must be considered in terms of how they will look and fit.
In this way, Mofunanya’s work invites consideration of fashion as a process of form construction. The finished garment is not simply a surface onto which decoration is applied; its construction is also part of the visual idea.
A material-led approach to luxury
Another common element in Dela-Fin’s design lexicon is texture. The brand’s descriptions and images in publications show an interest in mixing materials and finishes, including satin draping, faux-fur details, hand-worked floral elements and African wax prints. The different treatments produce different visual effects such as softness, movement, structure and surface.
These kinds of pairings can be challenging to balance. While a single garment can contain numerous fine attributes, it is the way they work together that matters. The large feature should fit into the silhouette, the textured material should enhance the garment, not detract from it, and embellishment should enhance the desired effect of the garment.
Dela-Fin’s vision is based on these relationships. The brand is not limited to one shape or material, but rather uses a variety of contrasts to add to its handcrafted details and unique presentation.
African-inspired prints are also part of Dela-Fin’s designs. Mofunanya brings these fabrics into modern styles, giving them a fresh look while retaining their cultural influence. This allows the prints to feature in contemporary luxury fashion without being limited to traditional clothing.
Between individuality and commercial wearability
The challenge of fashion is that it needs to be unique, but also suitable for everyday wear and different occasions. The use of statement features to make an impact can be effective, but they must be consistent with the rest of the garment, its fit and its purpose.
The Her Refined 2025 collection aims to strike that balance, with a selection of attention-grabbing pieces and wardrobe staples. Oversized bows, ruffles and prominent shoulders provide visual focus, while dresses and trousers provide familiar structures. This pairing enables the collection to make a bold statement without having to be a showstopper with each piece.
When it comes to a new fashion brand, consistency is another factor to take into consideration. A recognisable creative identity is developed over time as silhouettes are shaped, details are finished, materials are selected and the completed garments are presented. These choices are part of a creative process in which Mofunanya is involved in design development, garment making and styling.
Further development of the link between experimentation, construction and a coherent collection identity will be the next step as Dela-Fin continues to grow its audience and product line.
Building a design identity through the details
The value of studying Mofunanya’s process is that it focuses on the steps between an original idea and a finished outfit. Sketching is used to define the concept, material selection and construction help explore the possibilities, and styling and presentation communicate with the target audience.
Her philosophy of fashion is intertwined with craft and creative expression. An emphasis on handcrafted execution provides a starting point; sculptural silhouettes, textural contrasts and well-placed details provide room for individual expression.
The strength and consistency of the design language that connects the pieces will be the ultimate test of Dela-Fin’s ongoing development. How Mofunanya is attempting to meet that challenge is demonstrated in the Her Refined 2025 collection, which starts with familiar garment shapes and forms, and then reshapes the proportions, surfaces and details to give the pieces a more expressive quality.
The difference between following an existing aesthetic and creating one lies in the choices a designer repeats throughout their career. Mofunanya’s signature lies in her handcrafted approach, experimentation with materials and the creation of clothing that makes an impact.
