by Wilfred Okiche

Fashion rocks. We agree And so do the industry’s movers and shakers. In an industry that sells youth and beauty as the finished product, these cool kids lead the way. We present our power list of the 10 most influential names in fashion today. Of course you are welcome to agree or disagree!

Omoyemi Akerele:

 

She reigned supreme as the fashion editor of the now rested True Love West Africa magazine and her superb work inspired a whole new generation of people to styling. These days, the lawyer turned fashion entrepreneur is dictating fashion trends from her Style House Files online platform and last year started the Lagos Fashion and Design week sponsored proudly by telecom giants MTN.

Ono Bello:

Bello is a woman of many parts: a model, writer, stylist, publicist, blogger, marketing officer, corporate strategist; name it and she’s done it. She started work with ThisDay Style and was part of the team that successfully revamped it to the torch bearer it is now. Her PR firm handles some of fashion’s big names and her website is the go to place for all that is hot in fashion.

Dimeji Alara:

Alara began his career as a journalist and moved steadily up the ranks, working with brands such as Elan, Genevieve magazine and styling some of the most famous names in the country. Only last year he took on the mantle of leadership at StyleMania magazine, becoming its premier editor in chief. He has now produced 4 editions of the high end magazine without stumbling once and Mania has come to be respected as a leader in the fashion industry thanks in no small part to its relentless aspiration for fashion perfection.

Terence Sambo:

Everyone knows Terrence. Fashion’s authentic cool kid has gone from organising photo shoots in reputable publications like Complete Fashion and FAB to starting his own online blog, OneNigerianBoy in a short period of time.  Under his guidance, what is now OneNigerianBoy.com has the ultimate street cred for all that is cool, hip and, yes, weird.

Bola Balogun:

She returned to the country after some 5years working in New York with the biggest names around and she established the Exclusive Styling and Image Consultancy together with her partner, Omoyemi Akerele and has seen it become the foremost style agency in the country. She has styled or coordinated all of the biggest shows in the country. That’s why people listen when she speaks.

Ezinne Chinkata:

If you have ever done a double take at a recent issue of Wow! Magazine, then you must be admiring the amazing work of Ms Chinkata. Her editorial work on the magazine, coupled with her styling adventures column on Bellanaija have kept her on the right side of relevant. Where she’s been for quite a while now.

Babs Familusi:

Mr FAB as he is fondly called established his Exclamations Couture house in 2001 and became a regular in fashion circles but it is his work as publisher of the upscale FAB magazine that has kept himself and his fabulous team on our power lists. With impressive circulation in Nigeria and UK, FAB has indeed come to stay, and with it Mr Fab.

Lisa Folawiyo:

Her Jewel by Lisa label has clothed some of the world’s most famous women. Solange Knowles and The Kardashian sisters are just a few who have rocked the famous label. There’s uniform respect for this young woman and her signature look across the country and she’s almost iconic long before she approaches 40. How’s that for genius.

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi:

She may have taken a tumble on the New York Fashion Week runway but none can deny that Lanre Da Silva Ajayi’s business has taken a turn for the better since her infamous fall. Her frocky, Victorian era designs are instantly recognizable and her work with Dutch prints Vlisco have seen her become one of the hardest working and influential designers in the business. She’s a woman to watch.

Ohimai Atafo:

Many people gasped when he quit a high-flying job at Guinness to follow his passion full time, and now, the man who has won awards as the nation’s most stylish is controlling the fashion hemisphere with his Mai Atafo Inspired label. He took charge of things for a bit at Soundcity’s sister TV station for fashion, Spice TV, and now rules from his desk as Fashion Editor for the nation’s leading magazine brand, Genevieve.