These stylists go out of the box, investing months of hard work to curate the impressive ensembles that grace the AMVCA red carpet.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Aside from being one of the biggest — and culturally significant — nights in the Nigerian and African arts and entertainment scene, the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) is also a major fashion moment when celebrities across the continent come together to showcase head-turning attire and pull up indelible fashion choices. Each year, AMVCA gathers the crème de la crème of the African film industry, and the fashion choices on display never fail to captivate the audiences. A nominee may lose an award to a colleague in a fiercely contested category, and yet still emerge as the standout fashion icon of the night with a show-stopping attire.
For fashion designers, the AMVCA is a platform for them to showcase their eye-popping creations through styling celebrities. These stylists go out of the box, investing months of hard work to curate the impressive ensembles that grace the AMVCA red carpet.
On the 11th of May, the AMVCA held its 10th edition at Eko Hotel Lagos, and some outstanding designers and stylists created extraordinary fashion statements for their clients. In this article, Afrocritik brings you some of the creative fashion designers whose outfits made resounding statements on the AMVCA red carpet.
Veekee James
At the 8th edition of the AMVCA, Veekee James’s fashion creations, elegantly adorned by Osas Ighodaro, clinched the well-deserved title of best-dressed woman of the night, and at the 10th edition, she made heads turn with her designs. This comes as no surprise, given her track record.
Veekee James has styled the creme de la creme of the film and entertainment industry such as Funke Akindele, Uche Montana, Toke Makinwa, Tomike and many more. Her expertise lies in crafting dresses that beautifully sculpt the feminine form and create an elegant silhouette. She is known for enhancing busts and hips while cinching waistlines. Her designs also boast exquisite beadwork, illusion details, and luxurious fabrics, making them truly outstanding.
Although the choice of Veekee James’ bespoke metallic gown for Toke Makinwa’s AMVCA red carpet undoubtedly aimed to make a statement, it fell short of achieving sartorial success. While Makinwa exuded confidence, the ensemble failed to harmonise with the host’s role. The gown’s overly dramatic silhouette and shimmering fabric make it lack the sophistication for such a prestigious event.
ATAFO
Guided by Mai Atafo’s vision, the fashion brand, ATAFO creates exquisite bespoke tailored garments as well as unique ready-to-wear pieces. The label is known for its clean cuts and impeccable fit whilst paying painstaking attention to the minute details. In 2022, Denola Grey stole the spotlight as the best-dressed at the AMVCA, donning a striking Atafo 3-piece burgundy satin tuxedo. This year, the brand once again took over the red carpet event with different actors and celebrities rocking their designs. Among them, the popular media personality and fashion enthusiast, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu commanded attention in a black oversized hand-painted jacquard double-breasted tuxedo with a white peak lapel.
Tiannah Styling
At the AMVCA red carpet, Dr Carolyna captivated both admirers and skeptics alike with her bespoke ensemble by Tiannah Styling, asserting her eminent position as a paragon of elegance and finesse.
The Popular Nigerian celebrity designer, Toyin Lawani, the self-acclaimed ‘King of Fashion’ and also the fashion designer behind Tianah Styling, was also seen on the 2024 AMVCA red carpet donning her armless corset gown made from an imprinted sack used as a shopping bag in local markets. While Lawani’s design showcased her bold and out-of-the-box creativity, the choice of material may not have been fitting for the prestigious event.
Ann Cranberry
Nollywood actress, Aduni Ade graced the AMVCA red carpet draped in a sultry stunning corset dress complemented by elbow-length gloves, designed by the creative hands of Anu Obasa. Obasa is the creative director behind the burgeoning Nigerian fashion design brand Ann Cranberry, known for her bold approach to fashion.
Mickey Creates Styling
Mickey Creates Styling’s works defy categorisation, hovering somewhere between fashion, minimalism, and fine art. The brand designs are distinguished by attention to detail, such as the uniqueness of the silhouettes employed in popular actress, Yvonne Jegede’s sparkling white and brown gown. She adorned the sheer, body-contouring cutouts floor-length dress, which highlighted her curves all while elevating her look with a more sultry flair and an avant-garde white flower adorning her back, matching the elegant white layers on the gown.
Swanky Jerry
The Swanky Jerry-designed long agbada of vibrant purple hue showcased by the veteran actor, Mofe Damijo, bestowed upon him the aura of a royal figure. AMVCA 2024 was distinguished by the classic elegance of Swanky Jerry’s craftsmanship and design. The label’s designs have become shorthand for high-end apparel. Swanky’s creations provide a dash of glitz, art, and sophistication to the red carpet.
Izu Idokwu
Emeka Nwagbaraocha’s attire crafted by Izu Idokwu demonstrates the transformative nature of suits, infusing them with panache. The well-tailored copper brown overcoat, palazzo pants, and chocolate brown shirt showed an earthy form of elegance and sophistication.
Actor, Paul Nnadiekwe hit the AMVCA red carpet with a 2-piece outfit that was a blend of pinafore and jumpsuit, accentuated with a rare web-like, vestiary overcoat. However, the overall effect of the web-like coat overshadowed the ensemble’s cohesion and elegance.
Abioye Damilare is a music journalist and culture writer focused on the African entertainment Industry. Reading new publications and listening to music are two of his favourite pastimes when he is not writing. Connect with him on Twitter and IG: @Dreyschronicle.