The Nigerian fashion scene has no doubt grown beyond leaps and bounds as we keep discovering new talented designers on a daily who create masterpiece that juxtapose the use of both contemporary African style and western fashion.
Nigerians are now able to get exceptional fashion pieces without having to source them from international fashion brands and this can only be attributed to the passion and dedication exhibited by our designers in making sure that the Nigerian fashion industry is one to reckon with and one of the fastest growing industry in the world. Gone are the days of Lagos being the area of focus when it comes to creative designers as there are and this article centers on 15 Top Abuja Most Talked About Fashion Designers who continue to push boundaries going from mainstream traditional clothing to contemporary wears that are not only acknowledged in Nigeria but also in Africa and the world at large.
1. Style Temple
Style Temple is a womenswear brand founded by Ogugua Okwonkwo, a graduate of Medical Lab Science from the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Og Okwonkwo established Style Temple in the year 2012 after training as an intern and working as an associate designer in Barris Couture.Style Temple which has become one of the most prestigious fashion houses in Abuja came into the spotlight after Og Okwonkwo clothed Arunma Oteh, the former Director General of the Securities and Exchange commission on her 50th birthday and since then the brand has grown to become influential within the African fashion scene.
Style Temple is a mix of ready to wear pieces that aims to create a piece that is nothing short of elegant which accentuates the feminine frame and due to these impeccable designs and innovations, both the brand and designer have received great recognition not only in Africa but in the world at large.
2. Dzyn Couture
Dzyn couture is a brand that was founded by two sisters, Ogwa Iweze and Ofure Adive in the year 2005. The duo started out with just 5 dresses but have now attained such impeccable height as the brand is known not only in Africa but in other parts of the world.
Ogwa who is a travel enthusiast and an advocate for Nigerian brands makes sure the brand showcases pieces that integrate the Nigerian culture using bold and colorful prints that focuses on sultry yet subtle looks that gives women a boost of confidence. Dzyn couture meets the needs of the contemporary and classy woman who seeks affordable luxury and it now has a strong foothold in the fashion industry and continues to set new standards both in fashion and business.
3. Yutee Rone Atelier
Yutee Utibe Rone is the founder of the Yutee Rone Atelier, an high end Abuja based brand that produces comfortable and exclusive apparels which was founded in the year 2007.The Yutee Rone brand is known for the use of bold and unique designs that embraces sophistication, fashion and elegance making it the choice of women in the Nigerian high society.
The graduate of Microbiology whose passion birthed the brand that is now well know in the fashion world today showcases expertise in her designs and choice of fabrics. The use of cool, calm and subtle designs on bold fabrics makes it unique and desirable by women of class. Through her creative designs, Yutee Utibe Rone has made extraordinary contributions in the Nigerian fashion industry making her brand an highly desirable one.
4. Hudayya Bridal Emporium
When talking about a brand that is sought after by brides who want only the best for their big day, Hudayya Bridal Emporium is the place to go.
The brand which was founded by Fadoul Abacha, wife of one of the sons of late Sanni Abacha in the year 2012 is known for designing wedding dresses and exclusive luxury pieces. Fadoul Abacha who studied Microbiology in the University of Abuja but was not ready to go into white collar jobs started out with interior decor but later realized that she was not passionate about it. She then went to Dubai where she studied fashion and later started her own brand.
Fadoul who decided that her brand Hudayya was going to showcase complex and detailed designs that most tailors said were impossible so as to give her clients pieces that are exquisite and unique has become the heartthrob of A list celebrities like Zahra Buhari, Genevieve Nnaji and Dija to mention a few and Hudayya has grown to become one of the most high profile brands in and out of Abuja.
5. Kathy Anthony
Kathy Anthony is another brand that is the heartthrob of many Nigerian brides and the brains behind the Kathy Anthony brand is Oluwatoyin Iwukemijika.
Before the birth of the Kathy Anthony brand, Oluwatoyin worked at Sterling bank for some years before she decided to delve into fashion. She worked at some fashion houses before she eventually established her own brand in 2010.
Kathy Anthony brand is well known for its ready to wear bespoke tailoring and couture for women. Clients of the brand are always left amazed due to the magic that Toyin seems to wield on her pieces. The use of Ankara, lace and Aso Oke to create modern masterpieces is one of the reasons the brand is well acknowledged among women. Despite the fact that she is self trained she has created a place for her brand in the heart of many women.
6. House of Reedas
House of Reedas is a ready to wear, bespoke and bridal brand established by Rukayah Mohammed in 2007 after she opted out of her banking career to pursue a career in fashion.
The brand, House of Reedas is well known for making traditional, simple but confident designs that exudes elegance and modesty. Rukayah who has been listed as one of the most stylish designers in Abuja draws inspiration from nature, culture, arts and travel. Rukayah whose creativity comes to play by thinking out of the box and redefining fashion by making use of mostly Ankara and lace fabrics to create amazing designs making her clients look confident, classy, stylish yet simple. Rukayah Mohammed who has dressed high profile Nigerians like Zarah Buhari, Dolapo Osinbanjo, Mrs Aisha Buhari and many more has also served customers in other parts of the world.
7. Aisha Abu Bakr
Aisha Abubakar Achonu , CEO of Aisha Abu Bakr brand is one of Nigeria’s most outstanding designers.
Before going into fashion, Aisha was a journalist who worked as a reporter with Leadership Newspaper. The Aisha Abu Bakr brand is the perfect blend of provocative and modesty which showcases classic, trendy and modern quality dress of international standard. The brand makes uses of quality fabrics sourced from Africa, UK, Middle East, Egypt e.t.c. to create bold and regal pieces that relate with women intellectually.
8. Ebewele Brown
Ebewele Brown Oserhiemen is luxurious African attire for men which is a favorite of media personnels and bloggers as it is known for setting the scene for styles and fashion trends.
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The brand is known for paying attention to details while creating smart and specialized men’s kaftan and Agbada with fine and unique materials. Ebewele Brown also runs a sister brand “Dery and Brown” which is a partnership with himself and a friend of his.
9. Vodi Tailors
Vodi Tailors is one of Africa’s leading fashion houses which was established by Seyi Adekunle in 2001.
Seyi Adekunle who has a bachelor’s degree in Geology started out by sewing and selling boxers and shirts under the name Testimony fabrics. In the year 2003, he decided to change the name to something short and African which brought about the name Vodi which means Beauty.
The brand which started out as the idea of a young entrepreneur has grown to become one of the biggest shots in Nigerian’s fashion industry which majors in menswear and kids wear ranging from suits to kaftans, overalls, jumpers and even customized badges and crests.
Vodi is a unique and dynamic fashion house making use of African fabrics to create unified fashion designs adding a western touch.
10. Sunny Rose
Maureen Okogwu is the founder of Sunny Rose brand who is based in Thailand but stays in her transitional home in Abuja once in awhile. The ex model and niece to former first lady, Late Mrs Maryam Babangida started out with making accessories and handbags in the year 2005.
Maureen who was a model for 15 years had walked for fashion brands like Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani and the likes was able to successfully build her brand Sunny Rose because she had seen fashion from different angles. Today the Sunny Rose brand is known for making use of the Ankara fabric to create delectable designs for the African woman and has had its pieces showcased in Lagos and Abuja.
11. Younass Collection
Younass Collection is a nomadic fashion brand for both women and men that was established by Soraya Adji in 2005. Soraya is one of the most talented designers in the Nigerian fashion industry who is of nomadic heritage but lived most of her life in Paris before coming back to Nigeria in 2005 to start her fashion label.
Soraya Adji is well known for creating pieces that showcases an array of cross cultural themes. The essence of the Younass brand is the fusion of modern and traditional pieces to make exceptional designs that gives each customer a unique style. Younass Collection is a go to brand of royal and influential personalities because of its luxurious pieces that borders on European cuts with a touch of African influence.
12. E4ma Designs
E4ma designs is a handbag and clothing brand that focuses on the use of Ankara and special fabrics to create outstanding pieces.
E4ma designs was established by Ifeoma Udemaduka who brings life to her designs with the use of mostly Ankara fabrics. The fascinating thing about the brand is the use of Ankara to create simple yet elegant pieces. Its sister brand “Slipaas” deals in production of flip flops made out of fabulous and Ankara pieces.
13. Fabric Hub & Ehi Ready to Wear
Patience Ehi Odokor is the CEO of Fabric Hub, a menswear brand that provides ready to wear pieces tailored to fit the African man which was established in 2009 and Ehi Ready to Wear that is a contemporary African women’s wear brand. Her love for sourcing and sorting fabrics enhances her creativity in putting together beautiful design.
Patience started her brand Fabric Hub in 2009 while in her final year at Leeds City University. Fabric Hub is a one stop shop for all menswear fashion ranging from fabrics to fashion accessories, tailoring and seeing equipment and also providing premium bespoke tailoring for men. Fabric Hub accentuates the fact that quality and fit is essential in making versatile, sophisticated and functional pieces like the Agbada and Kaftan.
Ehi Ready To Wear was birthed as a gift to the younger female generation to create outfits that exude elegance and confidence. The mix of Ankara fabrics with modern wear to create maxi dresses, suits and jacket dresses only further accentuates the versatility of the brand.
14- Sista by Eyoro
Yvonne Bozimo Umah is the talented designer behind this brand . Her rather interesting craft of design and cut sets her pieces apart . From the full layered chest shirts to the full ankara dresses, the Sista by Eyoro dresses are a rare mix of old meets new . By mere looking at the collection , each piece captures the essence of vintage classic with a modern presentation . Although the brand has been around for a while, they are steadilytaking the aces wen it comes to classy casuals with a functional vibe .
15. Zohi Taglit
Samantha H. Dollar is the creative director and founder of Zohi Taglit, a womenswear label influenced by the modern day woman who is sophisticated and contemporary in style, with emphasis on perfection, happiness and positivity.
Samantha is a graduate from the University of Abuja where she received a B.Sc in Sociology. After graduating from the university and working in a corporate organisation for a year, her love for fabrics, colour, creativity and taste for style made her establish the brand Zohi Taglit in 2012 after she had enrolled in London Fashion School and taken courses at the University of the Arts, Central Saint Martins, London. She is one of the favourite fashion brands of renowned writer – Chimamanda Adichie
is this list exhaustive?