Nigerian male designers are creative and continue to spin new designs that have made it to the most stylish stages in the world.However, one common place they all connect with is on Instagram.Who are the top male Nigerian designers on Instagram? Let’s take a look at 15 of them.
15 Nigerian Male Designers Making Waves on Instagram
- Yomi Makun:
With over five hundred thousand followers on Instagram Yomi makun is a force to reckon with in the Nigerian fashion industry.
He is fondly known by clients as Yomi casual.
His simple yet classy designs using African traditional materials has attracted a lot of celebrities and average Nigerians alike.
He styles clients like AY aki and paw paw and house of assembly member Desmond Elliot.
YOMI CASUAL
- Ohimai Atafo:
Ohimai Atafo was born in Ile-Ife, Osun state, although his parents are from Edo. He is from a big family of 10, 6 brothers and 2 sisters. He attended University staff school Benin and Federal Government College Ido-Ano in Ondo state.He is an alumnus of Edo State University, Epkoma where he graduated with a 2nd Class upper in Agricultural Economics and Extention.
He obtained his postgraduate in the UK, Masters degree in Information Systems and Technology from City University, London. Subsequent to coming back from the UK in 2002 where he had spent 7years, he worked in different positions in the corporate segment from marketing , British American Tobacco to Guinness Nigeria Plc in 2007. In 2010, he left his role as a Senior Brand Manager to venture into Fashion full time.
Mai Atafo’s hard work has been rewarded with a number of awards including: City People Fashion and Style as Hottest New Designer Male (2009) and Special Recognition (2010); Mode Men Magazine Fashion Designer of The Year (2010) Best Dressed Men (2010) (2011); FAB Magazine Fashion Brand of The Year (2010); The Redefinition Covenant University contribution to fashion (2010) Allure Most Stylish Man of the Year (2011); This Style Best Dresses Men (2011).
List of celebrities known to frequent is designs are Jay Jay Okocha, 2face, Waje, M.I,Stella Damascus, Mercy Johnson, D’Banj and Banky W.
Instagram Handle: @MaiAtafo
- Ugo Monye:
Ugochukwu Monye is a top designer in the Nigerian fashion industry and the owner of the male fashion company, Ugo Monye.
He has over 10 years of experience, dishing out classy and elegant fashion designs. Ugo Monye designs is regarded for its bold,unique and cutting-edge styles propelled by the African culture yet executed with a contemporary contort.
Ugo Monye was recognized by Vanguard Allure Women and Fashion Awards as the Wedding Designer of the year 2017.
Ugo Monye
- Duro Olowu:
This London based designer shares both Nigerian and Jamaican roots.
He started showcasing a passion in fashion from age six shooting himself from his sketch pad to global recognition.
Duro Olowu has become known for his beautiful designs using bright colours and vintage print to create sophisticated and highly sought after couture.
He is so talented that his clothing has caught the attention of former American First Lady Michelle Obama Solange Knowles Uma Thurman Linda Evangelista and co.
In two thousand and five he was named new designer of the year at the New York fashion show without staging a walk.
At the African fashion awards in two thousand and nine he was awarded best international designer.
His work was awarded dress of the year by both British vogue and American Vogue.
Instagram Handle: (@DuroOlowu)
Duro Olowu
- Yomi Osunkoya
Yomi Osunkoya is a unique Nigerian designer on instrafran making waves
He founded his brand Kosibah in 1991 in London
Yomi is an expert in designing regal and elegant clothing taking into consideration the personality of his customer
This has won him clients from the United Kingdom the United States and Nigeria. Top celebrity clients include beauty queen Agbani Darego and singer Stephanie Benson
His awards showcase his extraordinary achievements
These awards include International Designer of the Year award , City People Award , Excellence Award, Gathering of Africa’s Best, Diamond Recognition from National Weddings UK, Bridal Designer of the Year, Mahogany Bridal Awards.
Handle @YemiKosibah - Soares Anthony:
Soares has always had a thing for a design even as a young boy he was constantly sketching and drawing
His clothing is being sold globally.
He has a specialty in creating casual yet elegant wears.
He has considerable clientele in America United Kingdom and France. He uses his skill to mentor upcoming designers and prospective stylists in Nigeria thereby ensuring young Nigerian designers remain competitive in an unforgiving and ever expanding global market.
Instagram: @SoaresAnthony - Frank Oshodi:
Frank has over twenty-five years’ experience in the fashion industry.
He began as a model for reputable fashion houses such as Dakova and Nikki Africana.
Frank Oshodi is famous for styling Agbani Darego in the miss world pageant after Silverbird picked him as her personal stylist and makeup artist which she won.
He is described as one of the most creative designers in Nigerian fashion space because of his daring stylish designs especially with Nigerian outfits.
In two thousand and eight his efforts in bringing the west African fashion show to life wasn’t missed and he continues to successfully influence the fashion industry.
Frank Oshodi
- Kola Kuddus:
Kola Kuddus is the respected owner of kola Kuddus couture. He is one of the top Nigerian designers on Instagram mostly loved for his expertise with the African print.He has a huge reputation for designing outfits for top political leaders including former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo.
Instagram: @KolaKuddus - Clement Mudiaga Enajemo:
Clement Mudiaga is the founder of Mudi levels a clothing brand that has shot up from the local fashion space to a clothing firm of international reputation.
He has notable clients within the media industry including veteran actor and tv personality Richard Mofe Damijo tv host Frank Edoho and other top celebrities.
The most impressive clothing within his collection are his male traditional outfits especially the embroidered kaftans.Mudi Africa has branches in Senegal Nairobi South Africa and Ghana. - Ade Bakare:
Ade Bakare was born in the United Kingdom he also went to school there.
He has worked with top designers such as Christian Stambolian and Victor Edelstein.
He started his couture in 1991 selling his products in England Scotland and the Channel Islands.
Ade Bakare is famous in both Nigerian and London fashion industry for his creation of beautiful African designs.
He has been in the game for over two decades.
He designs stylish wedding gowns classy evening dresses hats and perfumes.
He has showcased his work in Vienna Morocco Mozambique Paris New York and Cape Town.
He styles First Ladies and other powerful women in the Nigerian political circles.
He has been recognized by ministry of youth and culture for his role in mentoring the younger generation of aspiring designers. - Taiwo and Kehinde Okunoren:
Taiwo and Kehinde are the first designer duo in the country.
They were born to a fashion designer mother Mrs Abiola Okunoren so from an early age they were exposed to the fashion industry.
In the early millennium they started Okunoren their fashion brand.
They began by importing and retailing clothing especially because of the increase in demand for foreign wears.
Eventually they began designing and creating bespoke suits for men.
Their work won then recognition and awards such as beauty and styles entrepreneurs the year and an invitation to display their collection st the arise fashion week.
They have styles top celebrities such as Nigerian legend Jay Jay Okocha , Musical geniuses Naeto C, Dbanj and Don Jazzy. - Deco:
Deco is new to the fashion Industry yet his command of it has been nothing short of extraordinary.
He is a modern day designer appealing to the younger generation especially with his fitted and tailored yet light flowing agbada.
Notable celebrities like Noble Igwe and Ebuka Obi Uchendu are known to have frequented his collection. - Paolo Sisiano: Paolo is the owner of a eponymous fashion label he showcased his collection st the twenty sixteen Heineken fashion week.He was also a finalist at the twenty their teen GTbank Lagos fashion week awards.Vimbai, TY Bello, Beverly are too celebrities that are known to frequent his brand.Tokyo JamesThis London based Nigerian designer is creating waves in the fashion industry with his contemporary touch and creative energy.He is the creative director of accelerate tv access banks online television site.Recently he was featured on CNN African voices program where he was questioned about the role of African designers in shaping African culture and the business of fashion designers in Nigeria.He has showcased his collection in the South African fashion week and the Heineken fashion week .His stylish clothing has attracted young and hip artist like Patoranking and YCEE, Adekunle Gold.Emmanuel OkoroUti Nwachukwu, Joseph Benjamin, Alex Ekubo, Seyi Shey, Omotola Jolade, Denola Grey are known to frequent this designer’s wears.
