In a bid to support local fashion designers, back in 2017, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, an Award-winning author, launched a “Wear Nigerian Campaign,” where she decided to dress in Nigerian brands in all her public appearances. The motive of her campaign was to sensitize and encourage people to buy from both upcoming, as well as established designers, in order to boost local trade and manufacturing.
Adichie
announced her new venture via her Facebook page where she wrote; “in the past
few weeks, I’ve bought more Nigerian brands than I ever have in the past. I’ve
discovered new names. I’ve been filled with admiration for the women and men
running their businesses despite the many challenges they face. I’m
particularly interested in ‘inward-looking’ brands, those for whom dressing
Nigerian women is as important as other goals.”
Nigeria
is a fashion powerhouse not only on the African continent, but globally.
Numerous Nigerian fashion designers have won accolades for their exemplary work
and roles in showcasing the Nigerian spirit, culture, and diversity.
These
10 fashion designers are, no doubt, the trendsetters putting Nigerian and
African fashion on the international map.
10. Folake Folarin–Coker
Folake Folarin-Coker
is the founder of Tiffany Amber, a world-famous iconic label whose journey
began in Lagos in 1998. Born in Lagos, she did her schooling in Europe
(England, Scotland and Switzerland), where she got an opportunity to interact
and engage with various cultures while still at a young age. Interestingly, she
has a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Law from Switzerland, but as fate would have
it, her insatiable passion for fashion led her into fashion design. Her
curiosity for cultures steered her love and interest to focus on unique fashion
designs that appeal to women of various tastes and preferences.
Folake’s
tasteful and colourful creations have earned her global recognition, making her
the first African fashion designer to showcase her talent at the New York
Mercedes Fashion Week two years in a row. She has also been widely featured by
International media houses such as CNN, and in 2013, she received an Enterprise
Award at WIE (Women, Inspiration and Enterprise) Symposium. In addition, she
has made it onto the Forbes Power Women in Africa list.
She
has been instrumental in making the Nigerian fashion industry shine.
“Now,
Nigerian fashion has a personality of its own. There are so many amazing
designers in Nigeria doing such great things. If you mention a designer,
someone would likely know who you were talking about. Ten years ago, that
wasn’t the case. Lagos was more of a tailoring city back then as opposed to the
designing city it has become,” Folarin-Coker said.
9. Duro Olowu
Duro Olowu
is a London-based Nigerian who shares both Nigerian and Jamaican roots and is a
household name in both the Nigerian and global fashion industry. He is,
undoubtedly, a well-respected Nigerian fashion design personality, famous for
his unique and colourful African prints. He’s super talented in working with
patterns, and his designs incorporate the rich culture, spirit, and diversity
of the Nigerian people.
His
interest in fashion began when he was only six years old and went on throughout
his childhood. Olowu’s talent has earned
him global fame and recognition with top clients to his name such as Michelle
Obama, Solange Knowles, Uma Thurman, and Linda Evangelista, among others.
Despite
being a lawyer by profession, fashion was Olowu’s first love. During his
career, he has bagged numerous awards further raising his profile in the global
fashion industry. In 2005, he was the first designer to be named New Designer
of the Year at London Fashion Week without staging a catwalk show.
At
the African Fashion Awards in 2009, he was named the Best International
Designer and was one of the six nominees for the Swiss Textile Federation’s top
prize of 100,000 Euros. Both British and American Vogue in 2005 named his waist
patchwork “Duro,” as the “Dress of the Year.” One of Olowu’s famous quotes is,
“My job is not dictating to women what they should wear; it is presenting them
with beautiful options.”
8. Deola Sagoe
Deola Sagoe
is a renowned Nigerian fashion designer, entrepreneur and founder of The House
of Deola Sagoe. Her unique approach of designing lively and colourful prints
has earned her a global following including notable personality such as Oprah
Winfrey and Will Smith, who have recognized her for her celebration of African
prints.
Having
launched her career in 1989, Sagoe has a Master Degree in Finance and
Management and has studied at both University of Lagos and University of Miami.
She is a woman with many layers and this is reflected in her multilayered
designs. Her signature designs, Attitude and Elegance, draw their inspiration
from fabrics with a traditional Nigerian touch and western aesthetics.
She
designed the label, Odua, for her mom, who played a major role in popularizing
her in the industry. Her recent works include hand-dyed Adire fabric, which is
made by Yoruba women. Her reputation spans beyond the African continent,
earning her fame and respect.
Aside
from showcasing her couture collection at Cape Town and New York Fashion Weeks,
Deola won the MNET/Anglo Gold African Designs 2000 Award. United Nations World
Food Program appointed her Nigeria’s ambassador to the program, “Catwalk the
World: Fashion for Food.” This was aimed at raising funds to reduce, by half,
the number of starving people in the world, especially children by 2015.
Her
three daughters, Teni, Tiwa, and Aba Sagoe, have taken after their mother and
are owners of the popular CLAN fashion label. Sagoe believes the African
fashion industry has come a long way and there’s still plenty of room for
growth “Just in Africa, there is a huge market, without even going to Europe…
and the US, there is a huge market there,” Sagoe states.
7. Lisa Folawiyo
Lisa Folawiyo
is a self-made Nigerian fashion designer who is famous for the way she
creatively fuses traditional West African fabrics with modern tailoring
techniques. She is known for her label, Jewel by Lisa, which she launched in
2005, and has since grown to become a global fashion brand with showrooms in
New York and Nigeria.
Folawiyo
uses Ankara, a traditional West African fabric, to create captivating and
luxurious custom prints. She has her own fabric line that also produces
accessories such as jewelry and purses. Line J Label, her diffusion line,
showcases the best of Nigerian culture by incorporating Afropop with tasteful
urban designs. Some of her celebrity fans include Beyonce, Kelis,Tasha Smith,
and Eve.
Aside
from Nigeria, her collections have been showcased in the UK, US, and South
Africa. She has participated in New York Fashion Week 2010 and Paris Fashion
Week 2010. Some of her career achievements include winner of the African
Fashion Award in 2012, and she was featured in Vogue Italia in 2012. In 2014,
Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) named Folawiyo among the eight emerging talents. In
2015, BOF500, a prestigious list of international brands, featured the designer
among top fashion brands making an impact on the global scene.
Lisa
Folawiyo studied Law at the University of Nigeria, but decided to pursue her
love of fashion. She admits her style is simplistic but innovative, and she
also loves to play around with colors and mix prints. International media
houses such as Style.com, Gotham, and Women’s Wear Daily have reviewed her.
6. Soares Anthony
Soares Anthony
is a young, energetic, and talented fashion designer who focuses on his men’s
clothing line, Soares Anthony. His work draws inspiration from local Nigerian
fabrics coupled with Japanese tailoring designs. His designs are masculine, yet
modern and trendy by way of transforming an ordinary look into a sophisticated
design that embraces elegance.
Anthony
began acquired his love for fashion when he was a young boy where he spent his
time sketching and drawing. He loves to work with colors, and his awesome
talent has seen his pieces worn by famous politicians and celebrities. Young
and successful, he is a talented fashion designer to watch out for as his name
continues to cause ripples in both the local and global fashion industries.
His
pieces are also sold globally in the UK, US, and France. Anthony uses his
talent to make an impact on the community through a mentoring program he runs
that helps young and upcoming Nigerian designers excel and compete on a global
platform. Nature, colors, and artwork are his main sources of inspiration.
5. Lola Faturoti
Lola Faturoti
is a Nigerian-born, New York-based fashion designer with extensive experience
and renowned international repute. Faturoti, who hails from Ondo State, went on
to school in London before moving to New York in the early 1990s. Her fashion
journey began from childhood when she helped her grandmother, who was also a
fashion designer. “I got interested in fashion because my grandmother was a
designer. She designed Nigerian traditional clothes. That was my first
introduction to fashion, which I hated because I wanted to be out playing
instead of picking out seams!”
Her
inspiration is mainly drawn from her roots, and Faturoti rose to fame in New
York when she made a dress to celebrate Barack Obama’s election as President of
the United States. The dress had these bold Yoruba words, “Oluwa gba President
Barack Obama,” which means, “God Bless President Barack Obama.”
She
confirms that her mother played a major role in defining her personal style.
“My mom travelled a lot to London and New York. She bought me a lot of clothes,
so I began to dress differently. I think that did the first introduction to me
want to be different through clothing, ”says Faturoti.
While
in New York, she was employed in the Charivari Boutique where president of the
company, Barbara Weiser, noticed her potential and passion for unique fashion
and helped her launch her first fashion collection. Her passion for African
fashion is profound. “Everything begins for me with the print and fabric, which
usually has some shine,” exclaims Faturoti. Her deep African roots, as well as
extensive global experience with having lived and worked in New York and Milan
have been instrumental in her success and international spotlight.
4. Frank Oshodi
Frank Oshodi
is a perfect presentation of how Nigerian cultural diversity has been embraced
in unique fashion design trends. With extensive industry experience spanning
over 25 years, Oshodi began his career as a model and was employed by top household
fashion houses, such as Dakova and Nikki Africana.
He
also worked on popular TV commercials such as Maclean’s before rising in the
ranks to become a model manager. He went into choreography before finally
launching his makeup label, House of Bunor and Fashion Designing. His big break
came when Silverbird hired him to be the designer and makeup artist for Agbani
Darego, who was the 2001 Miss World winner. Since then, Oshodi’s career has
continuously rewarded him, enabling him to acquire many clients across the
world.
Effortless
beauty and elegance is the foundation of Oshodi’s career and is reflected in
the years he has been in the industry. He has played a major role in numerous
events such as The West African Fashion Week 2008, whose aim was to showcase
the very best of Nigerian fashion. There’s no doubt that Oshodi’s journey so
far is only the beginning of future successes that await him on the Nigerian
fashion scene. He’s definitely a force to be reckoned with.
3. Zizi Cardow
Zizi Cardow
has been instrumental in successfully showcasing the Nigerian fabric and
culture on a global level. She launched her label, Zizi, which has seen her
profile expand proudly, letting the world know how unique and elegant the
Nigerian fabric is. She is credited with promoting the Ankara fabric, which has
earned it global fame as the fabric is now being worn to red carpet events
around the world.
When
she was young, Cardow hoped to become a forensic profiler, but after landing
her first fashion job at only 17 in an Italian-owned boutique ignited her
interest in fashion. Being a popular African fashion ambassador, her success
has seen her designs featured in many international catwalk events in Cape
Town, Milan, Paris, the USA, and other destinations worldwide.
Her
global revolution for the African fabric to be appreciated internationally has
earned numerous awards, with the list being long and continuing to grow. In
2001, after only one year in the fashion industry, she bagged the Prestigious
Designer of the Year Award at the Nigerian Fashion Show. With this award to her
name, the world noticed her work, and her work was showcased on a global
platform.
In
2002, other awards knocked at her door.
The DAME Award recognized her for her outstanding achievement in
fashion, and also winning the St. Moritz Style Selection Award and Nigerian
Women Awards. From 2002, she kept winning numerous awards successively year
after year, raising her profile in the industry. Some of the other major
accolades Cardow has achieved include the 2010 UN Peace Ambassador, 2010 Global
Leadership Award, 2010 Young Achievers Award, 2010 Fashion and Style Award,
2010 Merit Award for African Heritage, 2009 Zenith Award for Excellence, and
2007 African Role Model Leadership Award, as well as many others.
Her
client base is vast, consisting of famous political figures and celebrities.
She has also been featured by top international media houses such as CNN, SABC,
Channel O, and FTV. Zizi Cardow has given back to society through numerous
mentorship programs, which have, in turn, earned her awards.
2. Mai Atafo
Mai Atafo
is a well-known Nigerian male bespoke designer. He rose into the limelight
after launching his brand, Mai Atafo, which has been successful both on the
local scene, as well as global fashion scene. His aim throughout his career has
been to uniquely showcase the personality of a confident and elegant Nigerian
gentleman.
Atafo
is a trained IT specialist with a Master’s Degree in Information Systems and
Technology from the UK. After returning from the UK in 2002, he worked in
various positions in the corporate sector until 2010, when he resigned to
pursue fashion full time.
Atafo’s
clothing label has gained popularity while attracting top clientele. He has
dressed personalities such as Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 2005, Omowunmi
Akinnifesi, and I.K. Osakioduwa. In addition, other famous personalities on his
list are Mercy Johnson, 2Baba, Waje, Gbenro Ajibade, and Stephanie Okereke.
Atafo
also launched his fashion line, Weddings by Mai, in 2011 with his designs being
showcased at various high-profile events. Atafo has bagged numerous awards
during his career to celebrate and appreciate his excellent craftsmanship. Some
of the awards he has received include being the winner of City People Fashion
and Style’s Hottest New Male Designer two years in a row, LFW Menswear Designer
of the Year, Mode Men Magazine’s Fashion Designer of the Year, and Allure’s
Most Stylish Man of the Year.
Atafo
believes fashion is an all-round aspect. “Fashion goes beyond clothes. It is
also hair and all those elements put together,” notes Atafo.
1. Ade Bakare
Ade Bakare
is an established Nigerian fashion designer whose impeccable African designs
have caused ripples around the globe. Having been in the fashion industry for
two decades, his super elegant designs are popular, making him a household name
in both Nigeria and London. His work is a perfect example of female
sophistication.
Bakare
was born and schooled in the UK, after which he was employed in some of the top
and finest fashion houses of Christian Stambolian and Victor Edelstein. In
1991, he founded Ade Bakare Couture and began selling his own collections to
various boutiques in England, Scotland, and Channel Islands.
His
work ranges from exclusive evening gowns to stylish wedding gowns, hats and
fragrances. He deals with high-end clients in both Nigeria and London, who have
recognized his over-the-top fashion talent. Bakare also has perfumes named
Breeze, and Ade Breeze which is a jersey line of his brand.
Bakare’s
work has been showcased around the world in places such as New York, Vienna,
Mozambique, Morocco, Paris, and Cape Town. Aside from having numerous English
personalities and celebrities wearing his pieces, he also has first ladies,
senators, and minister’s wives as clients. He has also been involved in
numerous programs geared to inspire upcoming designers. The Ministry of Youth
and Culture recognized Bakare for this role in supporting young and upcoming
fashion designers.
Bakare has also received awards from the Paris Academy and Conde Nast Publication. His dresses are known to be classic with a modern twist while spanning various types of fabrics. Bakare is well-known and celebrated for his famous and luxurious female gazar and organza sweep coasts
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