Nigeria’s male designers who clothe the rich and famous

Nigeria's male designers are largely uncelebrated like their female counterparts. However, the fact remains that the story of the fast growing industry is not complete without the contributions of these men who, because of their works, are earning the respect and admiration of fashion stakeholders at home and abroad, writes SPECTRUM


ARENOWN international designer, Ade Bakare was born in Bromsgrove, England, where he spent his early life. After his graduation from the University of Lagos, he returned to England to study Fashion Design at the Salford University College, Manchester where he bagged a Higher National Diploma (HND) in 1990. Thereafter, he went on to work for two internationally known couture designers in London; Victor Edlestein and Christina Stambolian, before setting up his label in 1991.

The Ade Bakare Couture label is aimed at the sophisticated woman, who likes to appear glamorous at all times. His designs capture the true spirit of the feminine form and are designed in a modern way, always giving his clientele something new to look forward to.

The choice designer for many celebrity women in Nigeria, this young man in his 40's, has participated in many fashion exhibitions at home and abroad.

The label has now grown to include other lines such as shoes, bags, scarves and jewelry.

Due to an increasing demand for couture by private clients, Bakare decided to open a new salon on the Grosvenor Street in Mayfair, England to cater for them. The showroom, which was opened in 1997, became a huge success and immediately put Ade Bakare on the international haute-couture map, attracting clients from America, France, Italy, Germany, Nigeria and the Jamaican Islands.

At the Mayfair salon, Bakare's first floral fragrance for ladies called 'Breeze', was launched in 1998, and which now includes a scented candle introduced in 2000 for the millennium.

Bayo Adegbe
He is the young man behind the famous label, Modela Couture. He hit the big stage when he won the 'Designer of the year' award at the Nigerian Fashion Show 2004. With his design style that is overtly high fashion, fanciful and largely feminine, Adegbe is regarded as the King of Haute Couture in Nigeria.

Adegbe's journey into couture circles was not by happenstance. He had five younger sisters who modeled at one time or another, which obviously ignited his interest in the fashion business.

He started out as a model and later a modeling agent and eventually started Modela Agency/Couture Fashion 12 2001 with about 60 models. His formal training started at Nobel Afrique in 1996, where he learnt to cut and sew.
In an interview recently, Adegbe had described his work as pure fun. His words: “I feel at home making costumes for people. I feel very much at home. I don't like to make clothes and look at it as work. I want to look at it like I'm enjoying myself.

“What gives me joy is just to see the person wearing what I made and that person calls me back to say: “Modela, when I wore that dress, it was a stunner as always. Everybody complemented the dress, everybody loved my outfit! That make my day.”

Prince Idowu Oyefusi
An Ikorodu, Lagos State, prince Idowu Akanni Oyefusi is the boss of the label, Nobel Afrik. Early last year, the handsome bloke was inaugurated as the President of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) succeeding Mrs Patricia Agbakwu. With this, development, he became the 4th President and the only male since the association was formed in 1989.

A graduate of the Yaba College of Technology, not a few people were surprised when this talented young man decided to take up fashion as his means of livelihood.

Mudi
With over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry. Mudi has indeed come a long way. Just a few weeks ago, the Delta State-born designer caught many of his colleagues' unawares when he opened a new outlet in Kenya, coming on the heels of the setting up of his first outlet outside the shores of Nigeria in Accra, Ghana.
With a vision to be ranked among the best 10 designers in the world and the very best in Africa, Mudi boasts a large number of celebrity figures in Nigeria as clients. They include famous actor and now a commissioner in Delta State, Richard Mofe-Damijo, ex-footballer, John Fashanu; popular comedian, Okey Bakassi to mention but a few.

Presently, Mudi is, arguably, the number one clothing line for male outfits from casual to traditional outfits.

Adebayo Jones
A London-based designer, his focus primarily occasion, formal wear and wedding dresses. His designs are all about clean lines, expert tailoring and precision finishing.

Described as one of the pioneering African designers in Europe, fashion stakeholders describe Jones as “immensely talented with each of his designs breathtaking and captivating.”

Ohimai Atafo
A quick glance at this young man easily gives him away as a creative mind.
A powerful dresser with an uncanny eye for the minutest details, Atafo works as a Brand Manager at Guinness Nigeria Plc but sees fashion more as his calling.

This good looking guy who detests boasting about himself, prefers his works to speak for him. One of his many celebrity clients is the former Most Beautiful Girl of Nigeria, Omowunmi Akinnifesi, who adorns no one but Atafo's designs for red carpet events.

Frank Osodi
The handsome face behind House of Burnor, Frank Osodi has been in the game since 1989.
He has been a model, choreographer and now a top rated fashion designer and make-up expert. As a make-up artiste, Osodi has handled several television commercials such as Macleans toothpaste, ultra sheen, indomie noodles and others.

He, it was, who designed the outfits worn by Miss Agbani Darego when she won the MGBN and Miss World beauty pageants in 2001.

Okunoren Twins
They are talented twins who however don't look alike. Both graduates of the University of Lagos, the Okunoren twins ran the Okunoren Bespoke from their Ikoyi residence. They are the favourite designers of several celebrity men, especially in the corporate world.