Entertainment
50 FASHION NAMES TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2016
Featuring fashion industry fast climbers including Meena, Nikki Anyasi,
Queen Onyemaechi, and industry mainstay such as Ituen Basi, Maki Oh,
Omoyemi Akerele, and others, the list is a diverse assortment of names
that will chart the course of the fashion and lifestyle industry in
Nigeria through the course of the new year.
MODELS
Uju Marshall
No model has stayed relevant and as in demand as Uju Marshall. With a
stellar year behind her, walking 32 shows at the 2015 Fashion and Design
Week behind her and several critically received editorial campaigns to
her name and many debating that she is easily Nigeria’s first homegrown
super model
Seun Logan
Current muse for menswear brand Seun Logan was a revelation at the 2015
Lagos Fashion and Design Week. He quickly followed this with editorials
for Naatal Media helmed by Nigerian fashion veteran Helen Jennings. 2016
will be quite a year for Seun Logan as he is already one of the top 10
finalists for the Music Meets Runway model search, where a win will
catapult him into relevance.
Toyin Oyeneye
Signed with Ice Models South Africa, Toyin has already landed a coveted
GQ Style SA cover and fronted campaigns for Adidas. As he returns to
South Africa in 2016 to model and study, we expect him to work his way
to supermodel status.
Ninioma Anosike
Ninioma has been quiet since she left Nigeria in 2014, on the heels of
her win at the 2013 Elite Model Look Nigeria competition, signed in New
York to internationally revered Ford Models, Anosike landed a campaign
for MAC, phenomenal considering how rarely the brand fronts campaigns
with models of colour. Anosike is the best shape of her life, and ready
to become a first grade model in 2016
Olamide Ogundele
More commonly known her instagram avatar, Krusha_Lamar, Ogundele has had
a stellar debut year, the dark horse who came out of nowhere to front
the coveted editorial campaign for the 2015 Lagos Fashion and Design
Week, following the footprints of Uju Marshall. With editorials in print
and for brands filling her portfolio, Ogundele is poised to turn all the
buzz into success.
Queen Onyemaechi
Winner of the 2014 Nigerian Next Top Model, Onyemaechi was walked in
Nigeria, South Africa and Europe and fronted campaigns for CYNIM and
Spotlight Spectre. Already anointed by Vogue Italia as the only Africa
based global model to watch in 2016, Onyemaechi is ready to turn that
prophesy int0 a success story.
Nikki Anyasi
Nikki Anyasi won the 2014 Music Meets Runway campaign in 2014 and
parlayed that into a flourishing career in 2014, writing a column for
lifestyle e-zine StyleVitae while she worked in print and runway.
Distinguished by her now iconic afro, Nikki is perfect poised to soar or
sink.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Lakin Ogunbanwo
Reclusive photographer Lakin Ogunbanwo came out of hiding to pad his
portfolio with shoots for Naatal Media, Maki Oh and the Lagos Fashion
and Design Week. As he explores his art and hones his style through
private shoots and public exhibitions, 2016 might be the year we see
Lakin shed his mystery and embrace the mythos of gifted eccentricity
that has grown around him.
Babatunde Mason
Babatunde Mason started shooting with his father’s camera in 2012 as
part of the three man collective over at Blackfabulousity.com. Come
2015, Tunde Mason has transitioned from enthusiastic amateur to real
contender, working with established brands like Grey Projects, Tiffany
Amber, Grey Velvet and a cover for Ignite magazine. With his eye for
portraits and his unique take on photography, we contend he will get
even bigger in 2016
Seye Isikalu
Creating his niche in fashion portraiture, Seye Isikalu has created a
name for himself, photographing many international celebrites including
Rita Ora, A$ap Rocky and Ciara. He has also made his name in Nigerian
fashion photography in 2015, working on Blanck Digital homeland issue
that featured covers with Zainab Balogun, Tiwa Savage, Bankole
Wellington and Tolu Oniru.
Ade Okelarin
Through his photography studio Ade Asiko, Okelarin has bulldozed through
the Nigerian fashion industry, working on covers for Pride Magazine
Nigeria, Blanck Digital, Wow Magazine, FAB magazine and New African
Woman. With that many covers in 2014- 2015 we know we will see more of
him in 2016.
Jerrie Rotimi
Jerrie Rotimi’s niche is in editorial photography, shooting campaigns
for T.I. Nathan, high street brand ANL by Annie Leash, Bellanaija,
Sisiano and Tzar Studios. With work for satellite fashion channel Spice
TV Africa in his portfolio, Rotimi has enough talent to become a major
player in 2016
Aham Ibeleme
Aham’s 2015 portfolio includes campaign shoots for menswear brands
Taryor Gabriels, Josh Amor, Kimono and Timbrel; emerging designers Keem
Harun, Nuraniya Studios and MeMeGo, editorials for Vanguard Allure with
Sylvia Nduka and Genevieve with Toluand Genevieve with Tolu Oniru and
Zen magazine with Dj Cuppy. 2016 can only get bigger.
Tope Horpload
Tope Horpload is in high demand. Tipped to shoot the campaign for the
5th anniversary of fashion showcase Music Meets Runway, his work for
them was the finale for a year that included ad campaigns for high
street brand Elan Red, T.I. Nathan, Iconic Invanity and Shop Maju; and
editorials for Today’s Woman and Vanguard Life.
DESIGNERS
Adeju Thompson
Adeju Thompson made a splash in 2014 as part of that year’s Lagos
Fashion and Design Fashion Focus programme. With his unique aesthetic of
marrying contemporary punk and streetwear designs with inspiration from
Lagos, his city of residence, he has thrilled with his subsequent
collection System Error and was featured in 2014 as the artist in focus
at the Stranger Salon. With a number of projects under his sleeve,
critical acclaim and small but fiercely loyal client base, 2016 is the
year of Adeju Thompson.
Gozel Green
Sylvia and Olivia Enekwe ended the year with a stocking deal with new
fashion retail brand Zazaii, a clientele that includes fashion
influencer Omoyemi Akerele, nominations from the Jaguar Lagos Fashion
Awards and two new collections. The only way is up for these sisters.
Maki Oh
Amaka Osakwe has conquered the world from Lagos with her immutable voice
and her keen eye for design. In 2015 her collection Arodan, debuted
exclusively on Vogue, the first Nigerian Designer based in Nigeria to
achieve this. Finally setting roots in Lagos by opening her first studio
in Lekki, Maki Oh is ready to consolidate her position at top rung in
2016
Maxivive
Papa Oyeyemi’s Maxivive made headway at the Lagos Fashion and Design
Week showcase with his Harmattan collection ‘Arodan’ proving once and
for all that he deserved his place at the showcase’s fashion incubator
programme the year before. With a diffusion line MXVV and plans for
concessions, the choices Papa makes will be very interesting to watch in
2016.
Orange Culture
Premier menswear brand Orange Culture was part of Nigeria’s delegation
to the 2015 International Fashion Showcase, was invited to show at
premier menswear trade show Pitti Uomo under the Ethical Fashion
Initiative, released two collections that featured collaborations with
O’Eclat, TreeFairfax and Shem Paronelli. In late 2015 he announced not
one but two diffusion labels, Orange by Orange Culture a sister brand to
Orange Culture, and O.C by Orange Culture, a streetwear brand. With that
many channels for expression we cannot wait to see where Bayo Oke Lawal
takes his brand.
Papa Oppong
Papa Oppong, creative director behind eponymous line Papa Oppong has had
a roller coaster year. He graduated from the Radford University, showing
‘Poison’ a ten look collection as part of his graduation requirements.
Shortly after it was announced that Oppong had been chosen to join the
DC Fashion Incubator programme alongside veterans like Tsemaye Binitie.
Graduating in 2016 and already creating a graduation collection that
references and celebrates the market women of Kumasi, Papa’s work is
ready for the big leagues.
Tsemaye Binitie
Tsemaye Binitie was chosen in 2015 as one of two international designers
chosen to participate in the 2015 DC Fashion Incubator programme
alongside Ghanaian Papa Oppong. Known for his minimalism and intricate
cuts, Tsemaye debuted a new direction with his show at the 2015 Lagos
Fashion and Design Week, one we hope to see him consolidate in 2016.
Meena
Uju Offiah’s Meena has been the critically acclaimed underdog of the
Lagos Fashion Design Week circuit. Inexplicably not winning her year,
during her turn in the showcase’s fashion incubator programme and
garnering praise each subsequent year without it translating to
commercial success. In 2015 Offiah debuted her most accessible
collection yet, one we hope to see open her up to new demographics in
the coming year.
Sindiso Khumalo
Known for her minimalist silhouettes, her references to classic art and
pop culture in her clothing and her eye for colour, South African
designer Sindiso Khumalo is the Meena of South African fashion. Finally
garnering critical buzz, we look forward to seeing Khumalo get the
respect she deserves in 2016.
Ejiro Amos Tafiri
It took her three years, but Ejiro Amos Tafiri has taken her eponymous
brand from suspected vanity project to bonafide runaway success.
Embraced by all demographics of women for her flattering cuts and her
understanding of the unique needs of women of colour, E.A.T’s Spring 16
collection inspired by religious imagery shattered any doubts that she
is rock solid design wise.
Ituen Basi
Ituen Basi chose not to show at the 2015 Lagos Fashion and Design Week
and she hasn’t debuted a collection this year either, but she negotiated
a concessionary deal with new fashion retailer MeiDei and is currently
still stocked at Grey Velvet and Temple Muse. With all the retail
channels sorted, the pressure is now on Ituen to deliver a new
collection, and we know she will.
HIGH STREET BRANDS
MeiDei
Risen from the splinters of now defunct retail brand L’Espace, Wonuola
Odunsi Okoye’s MeiDei has quickly gained prominence, signing major
concessionary deals with brands like 24 accessories and apparel, Ada by
Alter Ego, Ituen Basi,
Osyby, Meena and Eve and Tribe. We watch to see how these partnerships
will play out in the new Year.
Zazaii
The other new retail to rise from the ashes of L’Espace, Isoken
Ogiemwonyi’s Zazaii came out the hatch running, with concession deals
with Purple Lagos, Things Nigerians Love, Lady Biba, Funke Adepoju,
Sanusi Lagos, Nuraniya Studios, Ethnik by Tunde Owolabi, DZYN, Kamokini,
Andreah Iyamah, Dapmod and Obsidian Way.
Twenty Six
Skirt brand, Twenty Six has grown from retailing only knee length circle
skirts via instagram to a fully fledged lifestyle offering accessories,
skirts, dresses and a children’s line. With the launch of their
e-commerce site and partnerships with the Nik-Nak store. Twenty Six
might be our ethical answer to Nasty Gal.
Grey Projects
Changing tack, Grey Projects have scaled down on GREY, the high fashion
line and focused entirely on high street, debuting a collection at the
2015 Lagos Fashion and Design Week that was edgy as it was wearable. We
watch to see what directions Nigeria’s first high concept high street
brand will experiment with in 2016.
STYLISTS
Tokyo James
Tokyo James has had a busy year. Consolidating his position as editor of
Made Magazine with several high profile covers, including Patoranking
and 2face Idibia, Seyi Shay and Waje. He’s also had to his credit,
editorials in Citizen’s Magazine Uk, Tiffany Amber’s ss15 look book, The
House of Tara Colorburst campaign that earned him a Jaguar Lagos Fashion
Awards
nomination.
Bubu Ogisi
Super stylist Bubu Ogisi has worked with everyone from Mania magazine
and 53 Extra, Nigerian singers Asa and Seyi Shay to the Nigerian
delegation to the International Fashion Showcase in London. With
campaigns like The Rebahia Spring 2015 collection and the Lagos Fashion
and Design Week’s editorial campaign, her new flagship store and her
forays into interior design, her trajectory over the year will be
interesting to watch.
Jane Michael Ekanem
Jane Michael Ekanem has made her name with her styling work for the MTN
Project Fame, her collaborations with music juggernaut Yemi Alade and
her extensive portfolio in the music and fashion industries. She is most
revered for her work with Bolanle Olukanni, turning her into a true
style icon in 2015. A true crossover stylist, Jane Michael Ekanem’s
triumphant return to high fashion styling will be one of the highlights
of 2016.
Mag Payne
Fashion stylist Adepena has revamped his image since we first saw him
debut as a model for T.I. Nathan, he stayed with the brand, helping
craft their image into what it is today. 2015 saw him branch out, taking
a styling commission for Star Gist and a couple of other independent
shoots. 2016 will be the year we see him go mainstream.
Damilola Oke
Award winning stylist Damilola Oke under her brand Fierce And Modish can
be thanked for the style trajectory of singer Waje, presenter Folu
Storms and Cobhams Asuquo and Zainab Balogun. She has also done
extensive styling work for brands like Gozel Green, Onalaja and Emisara.
Oke has already begun to expand her services, creating a menswear
styling arm for Fierce and Modish. It will be interesting to see where
she takes this.
The ILLUSTRATORS
Okhai Aigbe
Okhai Aigbe’s illustrations are vivid and pop-culture influenced,
relying heavily on digital manipulation as well as traditional
illustration methods. In the last two years he has done extensive work
for the brand Toju Foyeh, illustrating many of their important private
commissions.
Claire Idera
Claire Idera is the most famous of the new guard of Nigerian fashion
illustrators, landing a cover in 2015 and collaborating with several
brands as well as organizing illustration workshops for beginners. While
she is yet to settle on a signature style, 2016 will definitely put her
firmly in the gaze of the Nigerian Fashion industry.
Yega
Yega might seem an obscure name, but her work is not. In 2015 Yega was
the only Nigerian fashion illustrator invited to illustrate at Paris and
New York Summer Fashion Weeks, an event so rare for a young freelance
that many still do not believe it happened. But Yega’s work, primarily
done in traditional methods using water colours and pencil is world
class.
Francis Sule
Sule, an alumnus of the first Fayrouz L’Original fashion competition is
slowly building a brand for himself with his illustrations, which focus
more on fashion portraiture than illustration. But with his keen eye for
colour and his undeniable talent, 2016 could be the year he repositions
himself as a serious contender for best illustrator.
Papa Oppong.
Appearing twice in this list is Ghanaian designer and illustrator Papa
Oppong, already a top flight illustrator who has caught the attention of
international celebrities Rihanna, Beyonce, Rosario Dawson and Amber
Rose, Oppong’s illustrations formed the basis of his Summer 15
collection ‘Poison’ proving that illustration need not necessarily end
on the page.
ACCESSORIES DESIGNERS
Ethnik by Tunde Owolabi
Tunde Owolabi’s Aso-Oke based shoe and bag brand has become popular
after a collaboration with fashion lable IAMISIGO and stocking deals
with retailer Zazaii. With retailing sorted and a high profile
collaboration raising his fashion profile 2016 could be the year he
cashes in.
Shem Paronelli
With collaborations with Orange Culture, Kenneth Ize and Lisa Folawiyo
and a nomination from the Jaguar Lagos Fashion
Awards Shem Ezemma’s Shem Paronelli is arguably the most relevant
accessories brand. We look to see how he will leverage these
collaborations in the new year.
O’Eclat (nominee for independent bag maker awards)
O’Eclat has been nominated for several international awards, most
recently the 2015 independent handbag makers award. She ends the year
with a collaboration with menswear brand Orange Culture, a departure
from her usual fare of women’s bags.
The Bloggers
Mide Coker
Mide Coker started the year with an endorsment as a brand ambassador for
fabrics giant Woodin. Taking a step back from fashion blogging to focus
on Law School in 2015, the fashion photographer, stylist and blogger has
recently graduated and has thrown herself back into personal style
blogging, with a renewed focus on fashion photography.
Cassie Daves
Cassandar Ikegbune took a step back from modelling in 2015 to focus on
her education. One of Nigeria’s most recognisable bloggers, Cassie
graduated in late 2015 and has since returned to fashion, walking for
select brands at the Lagos Fashion and Design Week and organizing a
bloggers offline event with bloggers Berry Dakara and Tuke Morgan.
OmogeMura
Deola Adebiyi’s Omogemura rehauled in 2015, moving away from fashion
review and focusing more on beauty and lifestyle. Now a prominent beauty
blogger, Omogemura’s summer editorial was the only indpendent summer
editorial released in 2015. We watch to see what she does in 2016.
Akin Faminu
Akin is easily Nigeria’s most popular male fashion blogger, partnering
with respected media sites like Bella Naija, StyleVitae and Vanguard
Allure. Faminu is a strong promoter of emerging designers and we hope to
see strategic collaborations from him in 2016.
TheStyleHQ
The Style HQ is the passion project of Bolaji Animashaun, creative
director behind the Jaguar Lagos Fashion Awards. Over the year, the site
has gone from fringe documenter of luxury fashion to an authority on
luxury in Nigeria, organizing their first offline event at the Oasis Med
Spa in partnership with brands like Ituen Basi, Raya Jewellery, CLAN and
Caven
Etomi.
DeeMako
Adesola Mako of Dee Mako has had a busy year, organizing not one but two
offline lifestyle events for the blogger community and its readership.
Along with her collaborations with Byge Couture and the Iconola brand,
the Deemako brand is pushing indigenous fashion one post at a time.
INFLUENCERS
Bolajo Fawehimi
A former model, Bolajo Fawehimi launched her own agency, Few Models in
early 2015, and over the course of the year has managed to scout and
sign several of 2015 first faces including Olamide Ogundele and Emmanuel
Ahwieh. She has recently launched Few Teen, a subsidiary of her agency
and continues to model and mentor.
Omoyemi Akerele
Dubbed the gate keeper of Nigerian fashion in 2014 and honoured as part
of international magazine Business of Fashion’s top 500 global
influencers, Mrs Akerele’s work with the Style House Files and the Lagos
Fashion and Design Week are groundbreaking. She has expressed big hopes
for 2016 and we at the Other Style wait eagerly to see how she achieves
them.
Entertainment
‘I want people to settle our fight, but…’ K1’s Lead Drummer,Ayanlowo Gives Condition For Reconciliation
-Ayotunde Ayanda
K1’s lead talking drummer, Ayankunle Ayanlowo has listed the condition for him to reconcile with his boss, Wasiu Ayinde, the Mayegun of Yorubaland.
At his home in Felele, Ibadan in a private chat, the drummer in his request stated ‘I want them to settle our fight. I want them to call us together, he(Wasiu) should be God-fearing and state his part, while I should also be present to speak my mind. The elders should step in but God knows, I will never go back to him’.
When asked why he vowed never to go back, Ayanlowo replied, ‘he is vindictive, he never forgives and I’ve placed everything in the hands of God. I can never go back to the band”.
The lead drummer while confirming that some cleric leaders and traditional rulers have waded into the matter also said ‘part of my condition is that at any location they pick for the peace-meeting, if anything happens to me, I would hold the people that call for the meeting responsible and they’ve assured me nothing of sort would happen”.
He hinged his fears on the attack at his Felele, Ibadan home where his windows was shattered by people he believed to be loyalists of his boss.
‘I’ve worked with him for 32 years and now I want to be on my own, I’ve tried! They should just leave me in peace’, he begged.
Ayankunle had accused Wasiu of providing a poor welfare package for his band members, which KWAM 1 has since denied and this has generated a lot of issues that called for the intervention of top monarch, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri who claimed to have instructed Ayankunle to stop posting videos or granting interviews.
Entertainment
Multiple Fraud Rocks Eko Electricity (CLO Indicted)
The Eko Electricity Distribution PLC, EKEDP is being hit by some huge corruption scandals.
The company according to a report monitored on Streetjournal Magazine has been facing issues of inadequacies and the absence of optimal service provision with customers groaning under the yoke of inefficiency and struggles.
The report stated that the company is faced with a significant level of corruption which involves top officials. The racket running in the company is linked with payment of ghost workers milking the company of millions of Naira.
Sources within the organisation that revealed this hinged the amount at about 300 million Naira while fingering EKEDP’s Chief Legal Officer, Wola Joseph as the head of the cartel.
Wola who has worked with the company as the Head of Human Resources before becoming the CLO has been alleged of multiple illegalities.
The lady was said to have been using her influence and relationship with some Board members to get away with many things.
The company’s Managing Director, Tinuade Sanda is said to have been helpless in the situation.
Wola is alleged to have been paying staff members who were sacked from the company and she also recommend and inflates salaries beyond the original payment scale of the company.
Her matter which has been reported to the National Union of Electricity Employee is under investigation.
Entertainment
Style Meets Class At Billionaire, Tunde Ayeni’s Daughter Wedding Introduction
Placing all the odds that hounded his life recently in a paternity scandal behind, billionaire, Tunde Ayeni staged a superlative wedding introduction for his daughter some days ago.
It was an assembly of the rich and the super rich who witnessed the wedding introduction of Bolaji, the pretty daughter of billionaire, Tunde Ayeni on Saturday, December 2, 2023.
The 15A Herbert Macaulay crescent, GRA, Ikeja home of the billionaire who headed the defunct Skye Bank wore a colourful look, as the lord of the home, his wife and all their kids in a themed act displayed their rarest form of hospitality and embraced the full Yoruba culture in heralding the first stage of matrimony as they welcomed friends into their home.
As expected, the guest list was grand! Ayeni’s friends did not disappoint, they came in their intimidating numbers.
Former NDDC boss, Timi Alaibe, former Attorney-General, Bayo Ojo, former Governor of Western Region, General David Jemibewon, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Mogaji Wole Arisekola, Femi Falana, Chike Obi, Jide Omokore, Dakuku Peterside, Segun Awolowo, Orile of Ile-Ogbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, Senator Idris Umar, Yomi Awoniyi and many other dignitaries were spotted at the ceremony.
The Ayenis while expressing their appreciation after the event in a statement said ‘this auspicious occasion marks a significant milestone in our lives, and we are excited to share this momentous event with our dear friends and respected guests’.
Credit; Streetjournal Magazine
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