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The uniqueness of Nigerian fashion designers has made Nigeria a fashion force to reckon with, not only in Africa but globally. Our Nigerian fashion brands have made us very proud over the years, and we can’t be happier with our fashion industry.

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In this article, we will look at two out of the numerous fashion brands that have come, planted their roots deep in the fashion soil and have been flourishing ever since. The fashion brands to be discussed are: Emmy Kasbit and Maki oh. These brands were included on Beyoncé’s list of African fashion designers after her album, Black is king, was released in 2020.

Emmy Kasbit Nigeria

In 2014, Emmanuel Okoro created his fashion brand known as Emmy Kasbit Nigeria. His fashion brand is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Emmanuel Okoro Photo credit: Google According to Ditto Africa, “Emmy Kasbit Nigeria is a Fashion brand, founded by its creative head Okoro Emmanuel in January 2014, with the sole aim of creating timeless pieces for the unconventional Man who likes to think outside the box and is willing to defend his outfit as being deliberate and not accidental”. Emmy Kasbit has received international recognition and exposure. In 2018, when the British Prime Minister, Theresa May paid a visit to Nigeria, she wore Emmy Kasbit Akwete jacket from the brand’s 2018 spring collection. The prime minister who was very enthusiastic about the outfit, shared her admiration for it on her social media.

Emmy Kasbit Nigeria collection Photo credit: Instagram In 2017, Emmy was one of the top five finalists at the Lagos Fashion & Design Week Fashion Focus. He has also been showcasing his collections at the LFWD.

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Maki Oh

Maki Oh is one of the the most awarded Nigeria fashion brand. It is owned by Amaka Osakwe, who was raised in Lagos, Nigeria. In 2010, Osakwe launched her fashion brand, and her unique and brilliant designs have continued to catch the eyes of fashion lovers all over the world. Osakwe’s work is currently on display at the Museum, at the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Vitra Design Museum, and the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, and has been there since 2010. Her designs have been worn by the rich and the famous, forces to reckon with all over the world. The likes of Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kerry Washington, Lupita N’yongo, Thandie Newton, Solange Knowles, Leelee Sobieski, Eku Edewor, Lady Gaga, Issa Rae, and many others have worn the Maki oh design. Maki Oh has graced many fashion magazines to show its exquisite collections. Magazines like: Vogue Magazine, WWD, New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Business of Fashion, W Magazine, New York Magazine, The Financial Times, Forbes, Elle Magazine, Interview Magazine, The Fader, Glamour, Paper Magazine, Nylon, and many others. ARISE, a fashion magazine named Osakwe as the ‘designer of the year’ in 2012.

Maki Oh collection Photo credit: Instagram In 2014, Maki Oh was invited to the White House as one of Michelle Obama’s favourite designers, alongside other designers. Maki Oh has graced the New York fashion week numerous times to show its exquisite designs. In 2020, Maki oh showed its 2020 Ready-to-wear spring collection after taking a break from the NYFW runway. The extraordinary talents and creativity of these fashion brands have earned the brands the well needed recognition and exposure. We can’t wait to see what these brands have for us in 2022 and years to come. Which of these fashion designers did you already know? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section. References Wikipedia Ditto Africa Sidomex Entertainment Photo credit: Google and Instagram

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