Fashion designing in Nigeria has taken a new twist. Many Nigerian fashion designers are being celebrated around the world that we know not off. Recently in the Milan and New York Fashion show Nigerian fashion designers showcased their talents as usual and of course rose to the occasion.
We thought it necessary to list out the top 10 fashion designers in Nigeria that are already marking a new stride this 2020. These designers are top class, they are not for the average Nigerian, to contract their services you will require a huge sum of money but the price tags are always worth it according to their clients.
Most of them started from nothing but struggled hard and with determination got to where they are today. From survey carried out we found out that at some point in their careers they had to enroll for an internationally recognized fashion school abroad, this was where they got the exposure and techniques.
Since fashion is one of the fastest evolving trends in the world, these set of Fashion designers kept improving themselves by undertaking fashion courses to keep up with the light pace of this industry.
Now lets take a look at the top 10 fashion designers in Nigeria for 2020. You could as well call them the best fashion designers in Nigeria.
Top 10 Fashion Designers In Nigeria 2020
10)Deola Sagoe
Deola Sagoe a finance and management graduate cum fashion designer Hails from the south south part of the country, Ondo State in Nigeria. She studied at the University of Miami and University of Lagos with a Masters in Finance and Management.
This Nigerian diva is a believer of an age old colourful tradition which she translates into the many layers and complexities of her remarkable designs. Deola’s Sagoe celebration of the African glamour and prints has gained her international fans like Oprah and Will Smith. She has also gained a lot of international recognition and popularity for her work with awards such as the MNET/ Anglo Gold African designs 2000 awards.
And in her own words, she is a woman with many layers ‘much like the multi-layered designs I craft.’ These layers consist of motherhood (mother to three wonderful children), degrees from the University of Miami, University of Lagos and Masters in Finance and Management. She is known for her creativity and this definitely speaks for itself as she continues to celebrate Nigeria in her own style.
9)Zizi Cardow
Talk of fashion, talk of Zizi Cardow, A multi-award winning designer, Zizi Cardow has been able to sell to the international scene, our cultures and fabrics. Since The label ‘Zizi’ was launched in the year 2000, as she keeps accumulating awards for uniqueness. Zizi’s designs have walked many a catwalks from Milan to Paris, Cape Town, USA and beyond taking Nigerian fashion beyond its shores.
She has gained as clients and fans, a lot of Pacesetters and powerful local and international dignitaries. Zizi was awarded a chieftaincy title to celebrate her as an ambassador of the society. She has given back so much to the world through so many mentorship programs and has also been rewarded for her involvements in awards like African Role Model Leadership Gold Award (2007), Pillar of National Development Gold Award (2007), Nigeria Enterprise Award for Excellence (2008) and Great Legend of Africa Gold Award (2008).
She currently holds the number 9 position of top 10 Nigerian fashion designers.
8) Folake Coker
Born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1974. After her education in Switzerland and the United Kingdom, She earned a postgraduate degree in Petroleum law and returned to Nigeria to pursue her fashion interests
She is the founder of the world famous brand Tiffany Amber. Her love for fashion was borne out of her exposure to different cultures from childhood, she schooled practically all over Europe (Switzerland, Scotland and England).
She has been internationally recognized for her in-depth knowledge of powerful colour creations and mixtures, which gives her the honour of the only African designer to grace the Mercedes Fashion week in New York two years consecutively. It is the reviews from international media agencies like CNN that has stamped the brand as, successfully, a true international brand.
She has given back to her roots through projects like ‘Made in Africa’ created by Vogue Italia in partnership with Yoox.com as a way of selling the African market to the world. Her designs are unique pieces for the everyday woman. A wife, a mother, a lawyer, a businesswoman and a designer, she is an African heroine!
She occupies the number 9 spot of top 10 Nigerian fashion designers.
7) Duro Olowu
The fashion giant Duro Olowu has been able to carve a niche for himself that even Michelle Obama, wears him. Based in London and of a Nigerian-Jamaican heritage. He has been able to stamp and convert the ancient Nigerian culture, spirit and turned that uniqueness into a classy, elegant fashion statement. His designs have been characterized as colorful, controversial combinations of African prints in a classic seventies tailoring. Absolutely gorgeous! These wonderful creations have gained him clients like, Michelle Obama, Uma Thurman, Linda Evangelista and the list goes on., this lawyer by profession has allowed his rich cultural exposure to be the stepping stone to his success. He has received lots of awards and has enjoyed a lot of recognition globally. His favorite quote of mine is: “My job is not dictating to women what they should wear; it is presenting them with beautiful options.
He occupies the number 7 spot of top 10 Nigerian fashion designers
6) Ohimai Atafo
Ohimai Atafo is an award winning Nigerian fashion designer and CEO Mai Atafo Inspired clothing outfit. Due to his designs that aim to portray the Nigerian Man’s unique personality, he was accredited as the Hottest New Male Designer at the City People Fashion and Style Award last year. The buzz surrounding his name has continued to resound as he came out with amazing designs at the Arise Magazine Fashion Week 2012 in Nigeria. With his wedding line ‘Weddings by Mai’ and creation like Funke Akindele’s wedding gown, he has also stolen the hearts of his female fans as much as he had that of his male fans. Having being in the business of fashion for five years, Mai is creating giant waves and is definitely not slowing down.
He occupies the number 6 seat of the top 10 Nigerian fashion designers.
5) Frank Oshodi
He is one Nigerian designer who is a true picture of the dynamic diversity, which is Nigeria. His name reached the household mark when he was selected by Silverbird to be the make-up artist and designer that finally led Agbani Darego to her reign as Miss World 2001. Since then the name Frank Oshodi has been associated with simple elegance and effortless beauty.
He has since spear headed events that brought Nigerian fashion to the forefront with programs like the West African Fashion Week 2008. He still remains a force to reckon with in the Nigerian fashion scene.
He sits on the 5th position of the top 10 Nigerian fashion designers.
4) Ade Bakare
Ade Bakare is a name too familiar to most London and Nigerian high society belles. Evening gowns so elegant, day gowns so exquisite and wedding gowns so lush it’s a picture that makes a heart bleed! Yes, Ade Bakare’s creations have that effect on every lady. With fabrics that flow and finishes that are nothing but perfection, Ade Bakare is one of the Nigerian designers that make Nigeria proud. He started his line in London, making clothes for boutiques in the UK and France. He finally opened salons in London and Nigeria which has since been tending to his high end clientele till date. He has also added a perfume line called Breeze and a jersey line called Ade Breeze to his many achievements.
He is number 4 in the top 10 Nigerian fashion designers.
3) Lisa Folawiyo
Lisa Folawiyo A graduate of the University of Nigeria, a self made designer Nnsuka Many Nigerian men would crawl at her feet just to be by her, Folawiyo, the young pretty creative mind behind ‘Jewel by Lisa’. Her niche is the transformation of the Ankara wax prints into a bejeweled treasure. Prints from the fabric is cut and delicately embellished for an added elegance to what can only be known as the Nigerian ‘national’ fabric. She has also ventured into the production of her own line of fabrics and accessories ranging from jewelries to purse and much more. Her diffusion line ‘J Label’ promotes the Nigerian culture and flare with the combination of Afro Pop and urban cool designs that is very amazing
She has showcased internationally in the New York Fashion week 2010, Paris Fashion week 2010 etc
She is number 3 in the top 10 Nigerian fashion designers.
2) Lola Faturoti
This Ondo princess has become quite a sensation in New York. She said “I got interested in fashion because my grandmother was a designer, she designed Nigerian traditional clothes. That was my first introduction to fashion.” So with this inspiration from her roots, she came to New York, to take the fashion scene by storm. Inspired by the Obama campaign, she created the Obama print dress with the words ‘Olowa gba President Barrack Obama’ boldly printed on it. This brought her into the fashion lime light in the US. Her ability to mix prints and create clothes that speak so vividly of her origin is Lola’s niche.
Raised in Ondo and later schooled in London, Lola after working in many clothing stores in USA, relocated to Milan to fine tone her talents and has since been a name in Nigerian fashion. She is full of the African rhythm and inspired by the passion for African fashion!
1) Soares Anthony
There is no reason why he wouldn’t be known as Nigeria’s number fashion designer.
Definitely a designer to watch out for, this young Lagosian has created pieces that can make an ordinary Nigerian man look like a multimillion-dollar business tycoon. His very suave men clothing line ‘Soares Anthony’ is dedicated to creating a picture of sophistication and opulence. He is inspired by Nigerian fabrics with the tailoring of Japanese excellence. Not only are his styles unconventional, they are also very attractive in a masculine kind of way.
Soares Anthony, a bachelor’s degree holder, has been working earnestly and his efforts have paid off with awards. His pieces have been won by very affluent politicians and have been distributed to London, France and the USA. He also owns a fashion magazine called SG2 which celebrates Nigerian fashion. Soares has been giving back to the Nigerian fashion industry by running a program that helps teach young Nigerian designers what they need to make their work of competent international standards. It will be a delight to watch him grow to his heights.
Finally we have been able to provide you with the Top 10 fashion designers In Nigerian who love and celebrate our culture through fashion around the globe.
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