Top Nigerian male fashion designers
Fashion is one of the key aspects of our society, especially nowadays. Everyone strives for excellence and modern day acceptance when it comes to fashion. This has increased the need for seasoned Nigerian fashion designers that are up-to-date. So, we prepared for you a list of some of the top Nigerian male fashion designers.
When it comes to the fashion designing in Nigeria, the first thing that comes to any mind is information about female fashion designers. But in the modern Nigerian fashion, Nigerian male fashion designers are reshaping the face of the industry. Not just in making clothes for men but also for women. In fact, a number of male fashion designers are among the best when it comes to female couture. We present to you some of the top Nigerian male fashion designers.
Top 10 list of Nigerian male fashion designers
1. Ohimai Atafo
Ohimai Atafo is a first-class fashion designer. He is the founder and owner of Mai Atafo Inspired. Ohimai Atafo has a Master’s degree in Information System and Technology. He went into full-time fashion designing in 2010 after resigning from his position as Senior Brand Manager at Guinness Nigeria. He went to Savile Row Academy to learn more about the trade. Mai Atafo is known for making captivating red carpet dresses and classy suit pieces for men and women. He gained recognition and attention for being regularly patronized by celebrities. Some of the popular celebrities who wear Mai Atafo Inspired are Stella Damascus, Banky W, Omawunmi Akinnifesi, IK Osakioduwa, Stephanie Okereke, Waje, Mercy Johnson, Jay Jay Okocha, D’Banj, etc.
In, 2011, he also started his wedding apparel line known as Weddings by Mai. This line makes wedding garments such as groom’s suit, grooms men’s suit, waistcoat, cravat, bridal gown, and bridal train dresses. He is one of the seasoned fashion stylists in Nigeria and has won numerous awards for his great work. He is adored by both male and female fashionistas. And it just keeps getting better for him.
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2. Frank Oshodi
Frank Oshodi is the owner of House of Bunor and Fashion designing. He is a makeup artist and a fashion designer. He has been in the industry since 1989. He began his career modeling for fashion houses such as Nikki Africanna, Supreme Stitches, Dakova, etc. He was also a choreographer and model manager at some point before becoming established as a makeup artist. Some of his notable works since then include handling TV commercials for big Nigeria companies such as Macleans Toothpaste, Indomie Noodles, Ultrasheen, Chocolate eclairs, etc.
He became popular after he chose to be the designer and makeup artist for Agbani Darego at the 2001 Miss World Pageant. Agbani Darego winning the competition brought him into the spotlight.
Frank Oshodi has also led the events that made Nigerian fashion famous. One of such is the 2008 edition of the West African Fashion Week. He also specializes in making bride and bridesmaids’ clothing.
3. Ade Bakare
Ade Bakare is another Nigerian Fashion designer with bases in London and Nigeria. In Nigeria, his head office is situated in Victoria Island. He has been in the fashion industry for well over twenty years now. He is into designing different styles of elegant and exquisite gowns for ladies including wedding gowns. He began his work in London by sewing clothes for boutiques in the United Kingdom and France.
He is also a proud owner of a perfume line known as Breeze. Ade Bakare also has a jerseys line known as Ade Breeze. He has won numerous awards including one from the Paris Academy. He writes fashion articles and has a column “Camera Obscura” in Le Vogue, a fashion magazine.
4. Soares Anthony
Soares Anthony is a young award-winning Nigerian fashion designer. His clothing line, Soares Anthony creates sophisticated attires using African fabrics with the excellence of Japanese tailoring techniques. Soares Anthony is a university graduate. His pieces are sold outside Nigeria, in places like the United States of America, London, and France. He designs clothes for influential people like politicians and celebrities. Soares Anthony also produces a fashion magazine dedicated to Nigerian fashion. He runs a program that trains upcoming Nigerian designers how to improve their work to international standard level.
5. Yemi Osunkoya
Yemi Osunkoya is the founder of Kosiboh label, a popular bridal gowns fashion line. He is one of the oldest in the industry with more than twenty-six years of experience. He began his brand in London in 1991. His fashion brand can also boast of a collection of formal day and evening outfits. He has clients both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. Some of them include Miss World Agbani Darego, Stephanie Benson, Hollywood actress Indra Ove, etc. He is an award-winning fashion designer. Some of his awards include International Designer of the Year, City People, Excellence Award, Gathering of Africa's Best, Diamond Recognition from National Weddings UK, Bridal Designer of the Year, Mahogany Bridal Awards.
6. Yomi Makun (Yomi Casual)
Yomi Makun popularly known as Yomi Casual is one of the youngest and latest in the Nigerian fashion industry. His fashion line is also called Yomi Casual. He is the younger brother of popular Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun (popularly known as AY). Yomi Casual is popular for his variety of both simple and sophisticated native styles for men. His latest impressive design collection is known as ‘Man of the Year’. It is a collection of executive vogue designs for high-class men. Besides his native styles for men, his fashion brand also launched a collection of unisex shirt known as Yomi Casual’s Unisex. The launch party attracted top Nigerian celebrities like Alexx Ekubo, IK Ogbonna, Omawunmi Akinnifesi, etc.
“Our fashion brand is trying to break out of the traditional outfit frame of mind by producing uniquely sewed shirts which intend to lend an effortlessly streamlined appearance to your formal or informal look. You can team these shirts with formal pants, slacks, denim, skirt, ripped jeans and all sorts of accessories.” - Yomi Casual
7. Clement Mudiaga Enajemo (Mudi Africa)
Clement Mudiaga Enajemo is the owner of the fashion label, Mudi Africa. He is one of the leading designers when it comes to Nigerian men's traditional fashion styles. Even though he had a very rough and difficult start, he has gone on to become one of the top Nigerian fashion designers. Through hard work and discipline, he built his brand to an international level. He has established fashion houses in Nigeria, Ghana, Nairobi, Senegal, and South Africa. He is blessed with years of experience in the industry.
He’s well known for his African uniqueness when it comes to native styles for men. Mudi Africa is a brand that boasts of high-profile clientele across Africa which includes politicians, entertainers, and footballers. The list includes the former President of Ghana, John Kuffour, movie stars such as Richard Mofe-Damijo, Basorge Tariah Jnr, Fred Amata, music stars such as Youssou N’dour and Salif Keita, popular TV anchor Frank Edoho, and many others.
8. Kola Kuddus
Kola Kuddus is one of the top Nigerian designers. He is the owner of Kola Kuddus Couture. He specializes in making clothes for men. He began as a stylist and personal shopper for his friends before he decided to go into fashion designing. He is a Philosophy graduate of the University of Lagos. He studied fashion at the London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins.
He creates modern African styles made with quality fabrics that are rich in colour and well-arranged designs. He also boasts of collections of readymade classic and casual wears. Kola Kuddus Couture is available all over Lagos and it’s expanding to other parts of Nigeria. Some of his top clients include former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, Kunle Afolayan, Ugo Mozie, etc.
9. Taiwo and Kehinde Okunoren (Okunoren Twins)
Taiwo and Kehinde Okunoren are the first fashion designer duo in Nigeria. They are popular for their perfect tailoring of men’s suit. Their mother Mrs. Abiola Okunoren was a fashion designer. She was their early inspiration growing up. So, at the age of 19, drawing from this inspiration combined with the increase in demand for English dressing, they started their fashion career. They started their label, Okunoren, in 2002. They began by importing and selling Men’s shirts.
The Okunoren Twins label transformed men’s wear by creating bespoke and perfectly tailored suits. They were both nominated for the Entrepreneur of the Year (Beauty & Style) at the 2007 Future Awards. They were also part of the first top Nigerian fashion designers to display their work at the Arise Fashion week, 2012 edition. They have enjoyed the opportunity of styling some of the top Nigerian celebrities: Naeto C, Don Jazzy, D’Banj, J.J Okocha, and many others.
10. Deco
When it comes to Nigerian men’s traditional styles, Deco is one of the modern day designers. Although he is relatively young in the fashion industry, he is still one of the top designers and one to look out for. He has redefined Nigerian men’s traditional styles especially agbada in a way that appeals young fashionistas. Some of his popular customers include Noble Igwe and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.
There are many more notable male fashion designers in Nigeria. But we have chosen top ten male fashion designers. We hope by now you know the names of the best male designers who are creating contemporary Nigerian fashion.
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Source: Legit.ng
