Top Nigerian fashion brands
By Chidinma Promise
The good news is that everyone wears clothes. The better news is that, all over the world, there are a myriad of designer clothing lines, and greater chances that every fashion enthusiast, and even the casual dressers, have a long list of designers to pick from to supplement their wardrobe choices.
The Nigerian Fashion Industry, in particular, is rich with dozens of established designers including April by Kunbi; Zizi Cardow; Tiffany Amber; House of Deola; Ade Bakare; Frank Oshodi and Da Silva among a host of other household names who have created and styled outfits for both national and international figures over the last few decades. In recent times, many designers in Nigeria have begun to tread a similar path, building thriving fashion brands amidst economic recessions and average to low consumer demands; managing to create quality, custom-made clothes at affordable rates.
The outfits designed using African print fabrics, yarns, leathers, lightweight denim, cotton or linen are created using the best materials:
1) Barely a year in, ADDOSE has become more than just a name representing fabric cut and pieced together. ADDOSE is a social and environment conscious brand which was founded with the mission to provide stylish, comfortable, beautiful clothing at affordable prices. The product ranges include unisex sweatpants, hoodies, round neck tees and shorts which are available for worldwide deliveries.
2) The brand for women fashion lovers, Maju popular for its collaboration with Lux, the beauty soap brand from Unilever Nigeria Plc, to create the Lux by MAJU collection, is the ultimate destination for effortlessly chic, affordable women wears. Maju creates upbeat, vintage designs with bright tones and evolving trends: doing this since 2008.
3) Sisters Ngozi and Chika Okafor started TNL Designs in 2013 to fill a gap that had been left in the Nigerian Fashion Industry as a result of overpriced imported clothes. The Nigerian clothing brand was among a number of other Nigerian brands alongside Fashpa, Grey, The LadyMaker and Moofa Designs which were referenced by Nigerian writer and renowned feminist, Chimamanda Adichie in her “Wear Nigerian” campaign during which she wore mostly Nigerian brands to public appearances in order to raise awareness around and to support Nigerian brands.
4) SAI specializes in creating bespoke, bridal and ready-to-wear styles which include a number of women wears – corsets, bridal outfits, date dresses etcetera -using afrocentric pieces as well as more western fabrics. The brand which has been featured on Bellanaija multiple times has been in business for a number of years. SAI outfits are also available for shipping worldwide.
5) One of the first few crochet creators in Nigeria, Ore uses yarn to produce stylish outfits which include bikinis, gowns, skirts and beanies. The outfits are mostly female wears with the exception of unisex sweaters and beanies. Ore gained popularity on Twitter in 2020 as one of the youngest, innovative fashion designers in Nigeria. Her products are also available for worldwide shipping.
6) Janore is best known for the ability to create outfits which can be styled in many different ways, having gained national and international recognition after being featured in many international fashion publications in 2020. Janore runs a youtube channel where she showcases the different ways in which each outfit made can be worn. Orders can be placed on her Twitter page and products are also available for worldwide deliveries.
7) Ninie official is an evolving brand which offers impeccable designs. The brand teamed up with Award winning actor, Timini Egbuson, in 2020 to create the official Timini Egbuson x Ninie Official Designer wears. Into men’s fashion and fashion consultancy services, Ninie official is available to a nationwide and international client base
8) Amarelis Atelier is a Nigeria-based brand that brings another dimension to the endearing Adire print. Amarelis uses virtuoso Fabrics to create introspective collections consisting of edgy designs and in-trend styles. All designs are feminine, timeless and classic and are ready to wear.
As Chimamanda Adichie rightly pointed out during her “Wear Nigerian” campaign, Nigerian Fashion Brands are currently doing so well, both nationally and internationally.
This is the right time to look inward and support local brands.
