Fashion, from ages past, has been an aspect of culture that evokes
the very spirit, nature and power of the people that own it. The
Nigerian spirit and culture has always been a very vibrant, colorful,
flamboyant and an irrepressible one. This fullness of life and diverse
richness is hard to capture, tame and reintroduce into the current
trends of the fashion world but some unique fashion icons has been able
to do just that.
All over the world, the Nigerian culture is being borrowed because
these kings and divas has been able to share our love for life, not
smothering it with the western fashion, but introducing it as its own
strong voice. Below are our top ten Nigerian fashion designers. I choose
to call them conquerors!
lets check out three top designers in Nigeria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Deola Sagoe
This Nigerian diva is a believer of an age old colorful tradition
which she translates into the many layers and complexities of her
remarkable designs. Deola’s celebration of the African glamour and
prints has gained her international fans like Oprah and Will Smith. She
has also gained a lot of recognition 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
multilayered 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. Her
works speak for themselves. She has also been able to give back to her
people through the program “Catwalk the World: Fashion for Food” which
was initiated by the ‘United Nations World Food Program’. She continues
to celebrate Nigeria.
Zizi Cardow
A multi-award winning designer, Zizi Cardow has been able to sell to
the international scene, our cultures and fabrics. Since she launched
her label ‘Zizi’ in 2000, her list of awards is over flowing and keeps
growing. Zizi’s designs have walked many a catwalks from Milan to Paris,
Cape Town, USA and beyond carrying with it the true Nigerian vibrancy
and flavor.
She has gained as clients and fans, a lot of Trendsetters and first
ladies. Zizi was, in November last year, 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 these involvements with 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).
Folake Folarin Coker.
Folake Coker is the founder of the world famous
brand Tiffany Amber. At an early age Folake was exposed to different
cultures. Born in Lagos and schooled all over Europe (Switzerland,
Scotland and England), she developed a curiosity for cultures which she
later channeled into her love for fashion. She has been globally
recognized because of the depths of her colorful creations and it’s the
potency of these creations that has made her the only African designer
to grace the Mercedes Fashion week in New York two years in a row. 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!
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