NIGERIAN FASHION DESIGNERS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2015

We can’t start the New Year without mentioning some of the Nigerian fashion designers we believe will set the pace in 2015.

The fact remains that the story of the fast-growing fashion industry in Nigeria is not complete without the contributions of these designers who are continually winning the respect and admiration of fashion enthusiasts and stakeholders at home and abroad.

Here are some designers we predict will take 2015 by storm.

Deola Sagoe

There is no denying the fact that Madam Deola is one of the highly talented fashion designers who churn out amazing styles all year round. The creative director of Deola, popularly referred to as the designer to the rich and famous, stepped on to the then very young fashion industry in Nigeria 25 years ago with pieces that instantly caught on with women because they were created to be visually stunning, distinctive with painstaking attention to detail. Her custom made designs for her clients and models are each one made to fit the wearer’s personality and body type. She is known for her limited and unique designs and creating fashion items of timeless style attitude.

Tiffany Amber (founded by Folake Coker)

Folake Coker of Tiffany Amber broke into the fashion scene and took the fashion community by pleasant storm some years ago. She sparked a new revolution in the fashion industry and she made a name by churning out fantastic designs. Tiffany Amber has collaborated with both local and international designers and has sculpted quite a personal style for herself since appearing on the fashion scene.

Mai Atafo (inspired by Ohimai Atafo)

This award-winning Nigerian male designer already appeared on this blog previously with his magnificent Bridal collections (see here). Mr Atafo is a Nigerian bespoke fashion tailor who caught the attention of the fashion industry for the creation of his brand, Mai Atafo Inspired. With over a decade of experience in the fashion industry, Mai Atafo is arguably the number one clothing line for evening, bridal and runway outfits in Nigeria.

Mai Atafo boasts a large number of celebrity costumers in Nigeria. He has received much acclaim for his iconic evening and bridal designs which have been seen on notable fashionista’s and Funke Akindele’s wedding gown to name a few.

April by Kunbi (founded by Kunbi Oyelese)

Imaginative and eclectic designer, Kunbi Oyelese is one of the A lists of the Nigerian fashion industry. The red carpet look designer has carved out a niche for herself by working mainly with high quality and exquisite fabrics, showcasing the beauty of chord, chiffon, satin, etc. She uses quality, vibrant and shimmery fabrics together with other mixture of fabrics and accessories to produce eccentric designs which are her signature. It’s believed that almost all the ladies of style have two or more of her designs in their wardrobe. Kunbi is one lady who’s changing the way we look at the African fashion designer.  She is one of the most-sough-after designers in Nigeria.

Lanre Dasilva-Ajayi  of LDA

As she is well known, Lanre is one of the Nigeria’s foremost fashion designers that have been rocking the fashion scene for some years now with glamorous regal outfits. Talented Lanre woke us from our slumber a few years ago to the world of classic, vintage and Victorian inspired outfits. She started the vintage style re-awakening. Most fashion experts agree that her collections are distinguished by a diverse fusion of art and history. Her designs are made of nostalgic elements reminiscent of the 50s and 60s, yet simultaneously modern and appealing to the contemporary woman.

Ejiro Amos Tafiri

Ejiro Amos Tafiri is the youngest of our list and is one of the fastest growing brands in the Nigerian fashion industry, having stormed into the fashion scene after emerging the best student from the Arts and Garment Technology Department of Yaba College of Technology in 2009. She had the honour of designing for top fashion labels before setting up her own. That she draws inspiration from a myriad of sources is evident in her skilful blending of styles, textures and fabrics from around the globe. Her designs rocked on and off the fashion runway in 2014 both locally and internationally.

CREDITS:

thenationonline

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