Last year was indeed a tough one, especially for entrepreneurs and business owners in various industries, even in the fashion space. Notwithstanding, manu fashion entrepreneurs were able to position their brands to flourish despite the hurdles.
Here are our top 5 fashion brands and business owners in Nigeria that did remarkably well in 2020.
House Of Deola
House Of Deola is Africa’s leading specialist company which is indeed known for their fabulous haute couture pieces. The company prides itself on its innovative designs, use of genuine and exclusive fabrics and many more to deliver unique outfits.
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Popular singer and songwriter, Tiwa Savage, was one of their clients in 2020 as she rocked a Buba and custom velvet iro for her ‘Koroba’ music video from the fashion brand.
The company is owned by Deola Sagoe who is often regarded as the leading lady of African haute couture fashion.
Kenneth Ize
Eponymous fashion label Kenneth Ize is another fashion brand that topped the Nigerian fashion charts in 2020. The brand is one that utilises traditional West African fabrics and Nigerian craft to create exquisite outfits for both men and women.
The brand gained a lot in 2020 in terms of exposure and reach, as the founder and lead designer participated in many competitions and shows across the globe. At the 2020 Arise Fashion Week, which was tagged ‘30 Under 30’, Kenneth Ize emerged winner after showcasing his collection of colourful striped jackets, tailored suits and many more. This competition, as a result, equipped the fashion brand owner with a $100,000 cash prize.
BellaNaija Style
Founded by Uche Pedro, the BellaNaija style segment is one that continuously serves fashionistas and fashion lovers with sizzling content and style inspiration all through the year.
Due to their large audience, they partner with local and international fashion brands such as MAC Cosmetics and many more, for a wider coverage.
Atafo
Atafo, formerly known as Mai Atafo, is a Nigerian fashion brand that specialises in bespoke men’s suits and traditional outfits. The brand is owned by Ohimai Atafo, a seasoned fashion entrepreneur and creative.
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Their High School Nostalgia collection, which was released in 2020, made waves across social media, and different celebrities including Seyi Shay, Erica Nlewedim and many more, rocked pieces from the collection.
African Designers Mall
African Designers Mall is a premium marketplace and black-owned business with the main goal of making brands accessible globally. They partner with fashion entrepreneurs who design and create a range of products including Ankara dresses, two-pieces and many more to reach a larger audience.
Their mission, to be the global technonlogy platform for premium fashion, has made them worthy of recognition in top fashion houses. In 2020, they partnered with Idia Aisien, a popular TV personality in Nigeria in the launch of her debut collection.
Asides these brands, certain fashion entrepreneurs in Nigeria definitely made the waves in 2020 in terms of profit acquired and audience reached.
Fisayo Longe
Fisayo Longe is the owner and creative director of Kai Collective, a womenswear brand of attainable clothing with luxury aesthetics. Fisayo Longe became extremely popular in 2020 when the Gaia dress produced by her brand shut down the internet.
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The Gaia dress which is a sheer colourful print dress gained immense popularity, and was in no time rocked by celebrities including Jackie Aina, Temi Otedola and many more.
She recently released a holiday-themed collection under her brand KAI collective, and it was all shades of beautiful.
Adebayo Oke-Lawal
Adebayo Oke-Lawal is the founder and creative director of a fashion label that covers universal silhouettes with an African touch, Orange Culture. The brand creates a range of outfits using ethically-sourced fabrics while retaining its androgynous style.
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Adebayo Oke-Lawal is known for using his art and creativity to challenge certain ideas about toxic masculinity in Nigeria.
Emmanuel Okoro
Emmanuel Okoro is an avid fashionista and entrepreneur who has garnered a lot of experience in the industry. He owns a fashion brand, Emmy Kasbit which was born out of a passion to dress the unconventional man and woman with fierce sartorial instincts.
Emmanuel Okoro mainly utilises fabrics made by local Nigerian artisans using traditional West African weaving techniques.
Folake Akindele-Coker
Folake Akindele-Coker is a Nigerian award-winning fashion designer and the creative director of Tiffany Amber. Tiffany Amber, the first ready-to-wear brand in Nigeria is one that focuses on designing elaborate and feminine outfits for their target customers.
In 2020, Folake Coker ventured into the production of PPEs such as laboratory coats, face masks and so on to drive more revenue while being of help to essential health workers in Nigeria.
Jeremiah Ogbodo
Jeremiah Ogbodo, popularlyknown as Swanky Jerry, was without a doubt the most sought after Nigerian celebrity stylist in 2020. Known for his boastable clientele, which includes Mercy Eke, Tonto Dike, Ice Prince and many more, the stylist became recognised immensely in the fashion industry.
In 2020, alongside Linda Osigwe, an avid fashionista also, Jeremiah Ogbodo was the cover star of VL Magazine.
These business owners and brands in 2020 found a way to still flourish despite all the challenges and struggles the year brought.
