Awesome Nigerians...in Fashion
It's no secret that Nigerian women love fashion! The modern Nigerian woman is blessed with a love for colors, an inate ability to dress stylishly, and access to some of the most talented fashion designers in the world. Nigerian designers have showed in London, New York, Johannesburg and Paris fashion weeks, and their brands are being stocked in stores from Tokyo to Los Angeles.
Here are just a few of the most well-known. Except for one, all of these globally-acknowledged brands are based in Nigeria.........
London-based Duro Olowu was named New Designer of the Year during the 2005
British Fashion Week in London, just a year after the launch of his label. His designs have been worn by Michelle Obama on several occasions. He was among the elite list of designers requested by Michelle Obama, to decorate the White House for the 2015 Christmas celebrations. Others who have worn his
designs are American and British celebrities Uma Thurman, Linda Evangelista, Kristen Davis, Keira Knightley and singer Solange Knowles.
Deola Sagoe was the first black woman to present a collection at Alta Roma, Rome's Fashion Week, back in 2004. She regularly showcases at Fashion Weeks and Events across the world, including Cape Town, London, and New York. House of Deola Sagoe’s clothes have adorned Anika Noni Rose, Lydia Hearst, Naomi Campbell, Alek Wek, and Liya Kebede. Her designs have been featured in Vogue Italia.
Lisa Folawiyo's designs have been featured in Harpers Bazaar, British Vogue, Italian
Vogue, Redbook,Womens Wear Daily, Essence and Lucky, Elle to name a few. Her clothes have been worn by Lucy Liu, Thandie Newton, Lupita Nyong'o, Rosario Dawson, Angela Simmons and Solange Knowles.
She has showcased her collections at Alta Roma, New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week. She has been selected by global brands L'Oreal, Blackberry and Pandora to design limited edition pieces.
Her "Rewa" dress was on display alongside other renowned designers like
Lanvin, Oscar de la Renta, Giorgio Armani, and Halston during the 2012 - 2013 "And the Bead Goes On" exhibition at the Mint Museum in North Carolina.
One of her designs was featured at the 2015 "Global Fashion
Capitals" exhibit at The Museum at FIT (New York's Fashion Institute of Technology). The exhibit showcased Lagos as an emerging global fashion capital.
Folake Coker's fashion brand, Tiffany Amber, is an iconic label in the African fashion industry.
She has staged several fashion shows in Africa, Europe and the United States.
In 2008, Folake for the first time showcased at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York. The collection was heralded by such rave reviews that she was invited to showcase for the second time, making her the first African based designer to showcase for two consecutive shows at the New York Fashion Week.
She was recognized by Forbes in 2013 as one of the "20 Young Power Women in Africa".
http:/www.tiffanyamberng.com
Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi is creative director of Lanre Dasilva Ajayi Couture.
Her vintage-inspired designs have been featured in British and Italian Vogue. In 2012, she became the first African brand to be stocked by PIAVE 37, a concept store owned by the Dolce and Gabbana group.
Lanre with Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue......
Lanre with Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Italian Vogue.......
Amaka Osakwe is creative director of Maki Oh. Her Spring/Summer 2016 collection
exclusively debuted on Vogue.com......
Her designs have been worn by Michelle Obama, Beyonce, Rihanna, Kerry Washington, Lupita Nyong'o and Solange Knowles.
Amede Nzeribe is the creative director of Amede. Her designs have been featured in numerous international publications, including Harper's Bazaar, Conde Nast, Glamour, Elle and British Vogue.
Iconic Invanity is a Nigerian based label of colorful cocktails, gowns, and suit sets. The brand which focuses on African prints with a Western sensibility, prides itself on luxurious fabrics, intricate details, and beaded embellishments. The designer behind the label is Ugandan-born Nancy Nwadire (her husband is Nigerian).
The label won an award for Best brand at the 2013 Mediterranean Design and Fashion Week in Noto (Sicily), Italy. Here is Nancy receiving the award....