The much anticipated African Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards, AMVCA had its 10th edition recently, and while it was a celebration of artistic and technical excellence in the television and film industry for the past year, we had to appreciate the significance of fashion in the entertainment world and the power it holds to captivate fashion enthusiasts around the country as we tune in to gaze at the dazzling display of fashion gracing the event. From the women’s glamourous and interesting dresses to the men’s interpretations of the classic tuxedo, the fashion at the AMVCA never fails to inspire and allure. Dear fashionistas, grab your hats and join us as we give our exclusive review of the fashions at the 2024 AMVCA Award Night.
We’re starting well with Queen Osas Ighodaro dressed in what we can rightly call wearable art by Veekee James. Osas always embraces her beautiful figure and she did the same with this brown dress with black geometric lines arranged in a symmetric pattern that flatters both her slim waist and full hips. The dress has its full drama effect with the curves over the neckline and over the shoulders. The rest of the look is kept minimal with Osas wearing her hair sleeked back and wearing black stud earrings.
Next, we have Chioma Goodhair who looks very enchanting in a dress that is reminiscent of the recent Met Gala theme, Garden of Time. The corset bodice is embellished with gold metal and flowers studded with tiny crystals. The skirt of the dress is made of beige-colored fabric twists, edged with gold. Chioma always brings the drama so this is very on-brand for her. The rest of the look is relatively minimal with crystal eye make-up and her hair sleeked back in a bun.
Here we have the self-acclaimed “King of Fashion” Toyin Lawani wearing what looks like a sack dress. She claims to have broken the original dress she planned to wear to the event in an accident so this was created by her and her team in just a few hours. The dress has a corset bodice with a raised neckline and a midi-length skirt. The shoes are made of the same sack-cloth material with a flower bag to accessorize. Toyin’s fashion choices have always been interesting and we applaud her for her swiftness in coming up with this and also a nod to sustainable fashion and perhaps an economic statement on the cost of rice in Nigeria.
Who better to be the first male than Ebuka Obi-Uchendu? He looks glorious in his monochrome look from the popular menswear designer Atafo. The double-breasted jacket is black with hand-painted white circles and a white peak lapel. The rest of the look is all-black with a crystal-studded shirt, baggy high-waist pants satin bowtie, and black shoes. Considering Ebuka’s past fashion moments especially while hosting the Big Brother Naija show, this is a rather understated look and we might have been expecting more.
Next, we have Toke Makinwa who is one of the hosts for this year’s show and she did not disappoint. Wearing another creation by Veekee James, it is worthy of note at this point that the theme of the Award Night was “Wearable Art” which simply put, is the perfect description of Toke’s look. She dazzled in this silver dress with a corset bodice and hip-hugging, double lampshade skirt with a similar design adorning the neckline. In keeping the look well-coordinated, Toke opted for a simple bun and chandelier earrings and bangles.
Here we have Nana Akua Addo, a seemingly mysterious woman who makes it to the Best Dressed list every year at the AMVCA. Nana is a Ghanaian actress and media personality and she always slays with her fashion at the AMVCA. She’s wearing a figure-hugging dress with white leave outlines all over a brown base and an infinity-face headpiece. There was initially a controversy over the designer of the dress but it has been discovered that the dress was 3-D designed by a Ghanaian brand called Yoli Koomson and assembled and styled by a Nigerian brand called Ezinne Olivia Styling. Nevertheless, we are impressed by the ensemble and we look forward to what Nana would treat us to next year.
Our second male look is from Neo Akpofure wearing a body suit by Ambaosa. It is heavily inspired by a body suit from Vivienne Westwood’s 1996 Fall Collection and let’s be honest, it is beautifully well done. The jacket body suit is hand-beaded to give the illusion of a naked male body with a wound. The beauty of this look lies in its details and the overall styling. Applause to Neo and his team for this wonderful look.
Next is Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD. RMD is in his Godfather mode as he appears resplendent in this purple agbada ensemble by designer Deji & Kola. The actor who was honored at the event with the Industry Merit Award looks kingly in his ensemble completed with a matching cap and beads. The look was styled by Swanky Jerry.
Beauty Tukura who won the Best Dressed Award at the event is next on our list and she wore this gorgeous dress by Emagine by Bukola. The dress is soft blush pink in color with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a mermaid-shaped skirt. The dress is a bold choice and fits Beauty’s personality so well. Her hair is styled in an up-do and she accessorized with jewelry from BOZ Jewelry.
Lastly, we have Adunni Ade wearing what is best described as old Hollywood glamour. Her dress is a strapless black velvet with a dramatic white mermaid-cut train. She accessorizes with white opera gloves with bows and minimal jewelry. The look is understated but very tasteful.
One thing we can all agree on is that Nigerian fashion designers are phenomenal. It is evident in the craftsmanship and overall beauty of the garments they create. Nigerian fashion has the potential to match or even surpass the sophistication and creativity seen in the pieces worn at the Met Gale
Written by: Adzege Tersur Samuel