While 2014 brought the best in star style, with Kim Kardashian reinventing herself under Kanye’s watchful gaze, and Queen Bey bringing her sexy back with a sexual revolution after the birth of her baby Blue, there are certain stars in the style limelight that we will be keeping a closer eye on this year, like Kenyan-born Hollywood actress Lupita Nyong’o and Nigeria’s own icon in the making, Seyi Shay.
Whether they were spied at an event or out and about on the streets, these fashionable ladies, gents and their wardrobes gave us something to talk about last year, and we’re betting they’ll have us screaming about their style this year, too.
See below our pick of the 10 stars whose wardrobe you should watch in 2015;
1. Lupita Nyong’o
Obviously, first on our list is Kenyan actress, Lupita Nyong’o who launched into the centre of the world’s attention following a leading role in 12 years a Slave and the star’s first bout of walks down award show red carpets.
Needless to say, Ms Nyong’o had a huge year in terms of her career, but with her wardrobe, she really came into her own, landing the title of People Magazine‘s Most Beautiful Person of the Year, as well as brand ambassadorship for both Lancome and Miu Miu – not to mention that coveted spot on Vogue’s infamous cover.
Her Academy Awards win was where Lupita was celebrated for bringing princess vibes back (and the headband look) as she was spotted in this custom-made, light blue Prada gown, which she accessorized with a cute diamond headband and earrings from Fred Leighton. Obviously, the world was at her feet and we at SPICE were deeply in love with her look.
Lupita at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards in an embellished, printed Chanel dress and Casadei pumps
Out and about, Lupita was seen heading to the Miu Miu runway show during Paris Fashion Week, reaping the brand head to toe
Did Lupita rock your world in 2014? She did ours and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in 2015.
2. Yemi Alade
Next on our list is a rising star who has taken the Nigerian entertainment scene by storm – not just with her hit song “Johnny,” but with her energetic stage performances and her re-branded wardrobe which features her now signature braided up ‘do – a trademark she styles in various ways and colours.
Yemi on the set of “Johnny Remix”
Yemi’s hair is not the only focus of our favourite looks from her wardrobe though. The star has effortlessly rebranded herself from a sassy-sexy, pin-up to an Afrocentric diva and is now regularly seen rocking ankara prints in modern ways, making prints her own and with a contagious touch to whatever it is she does.
Yemi wearing a Reni Smith ball gown at the 2014 AMVCAs
Stepping away from her multiple hues and fun, fashionable prints, Yemi has also proved she can do demure and still steal our hearts, and if she carries on this way into 2015, well, she can take our heart and run with it.
3. Toyin Jolapamo aka The SohoSister
Moving a little away from entertainment to lifestyle, next up on our list of wardrobes to watch is a style blogger who went from being a London Law and Anthropology graduate to a Lagos socialite and NdaniTV presenter. Yes, Toyin Jolapamo has our full attention, having graced red carpets in her distinct style and wearing African designer’s easy-going pieces to perfection.
In IamISIGO at the 2014 GTBank Lagos Fashion & Design Week
The blogger seen looking youthful at the 2014 MMR event
Toyin’s laid-back style always fits perfectly with young designer, iamISIGO and she is regularly seen in the talent’s pieces.
While she continues to wear such clothes so well and serving boho-chic alongside elegance, we’re sure she’ll keep plenty of heads turning throughout 2015 too.
4. North West
If you don’t know the name of our next rising star, then you have probably been living in the woods. North West – daughter to mega stars Kim Kardashian and rapper Kanye West – not only takes the award for Youngest Fashionista of last year, but also the most talked about baby of 2014, with this little tycoon in the making even having the edge on Bey and Jay Z’s Blue Ivy (… just).
It’s been all black everything since baby North could walk
From having her own stylist to rocking matching ensembles with her mum and dad, and attending the biggest fashion shows – North just hasn’t stopped since she was born. The stylish tike even made her modelling debut in Corine Roitfield’s CR Fashion Book and has been spied with her own miniature Chanel ensemble…
Needless to say, we want more in 2015!
5. Patoranking
With his Adire print and bandana, 2014 Revelation star, Patoranking proved traditional print has a place on the red carpet, stepping out in the attire and a pair of dark shades for the 2014 Music Meets Runway in Lagos.
From his choice of shoes, to the usual styling of trousers and suits, Patoranking is definitely one of our top stars to watch in 2015 and followers of his wardrobe will know just why.
At the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards in New York
It’s obvious the star is a fan of traditional Nigerian ensembles, mixing the look with his dancehall style for a combination of cool we quite like.
Performing onstage with Seyi Shay
For his stage performance at the 2014 Lagos Countdown, the raggae-dancehall singer was spotted in a school uniform, accessorised with a backpack, socks and trainers. Quirky, yes but we loved the risk and how the star manages to keep us on our toes.
What next will Patoranking wear next? We can’t wait to find out throughout 2015!
6. Seyi Shay
Next up is a star who is a bit of a fashion discovery of 2014: Seyi Shay. Ms Irawo ,as she is called, stepped up her style game last year, from rocking racy outfits to stunning gowns, landing herself campaign deals and magazine covers along the way.
In Elizabeth Wardolf for the 2014 AMVCAs
As brand ambassador for the 2014 Genevieve Pinball, the star stepped out in a pink Lanre Da Silva number which fit her all over, and showing true diversity with her look in 2014, it was clearly the year of Seyi – hence we can’t wait for what 2015 will bring from her wardrobe.
7. FKA Twigs
Another rising star whose style became an instant hit, British musician FKA Twigs caught the attention of the fashion world with her bold styling choices and her very first magazine shoot back in 2012 — the cover of i-D’s pre-fall issue, which featured the word “love” spelt out across her forehead in ‘baby hairs.’
Bringing on her Cleopatra-esque braids at the 2014 Barclaycard Mercury Prize, where she won ‘Album of the Year’
And we totally agree with the world, she’s our very own modern-day Josephine Baker
The songstress is known for her ever-changing look, which always carries an urban feel with an unusual underlying attitude.
Key to FKA Twigs’ look? That it’ll keep you guessing. Enjoy that throughout 2015.
8. Nicki Minaj
Our next star is well-established rapper who takes our award for Most Improved Fashionista of 2014. Last year was truly Nicki’s year, with the star having had stellar editorials for the likes of L’ uomo Vogue, Complex, GQ and V Magazine, and having fronted the Spring/Summer’15 ad campaign for Roberto Cavalli.
Nicki left her questionable costume-like ensembles at the curb to seek out a more glamorous look that flatters her enviable figure.
Even on stage, Nicki’s look became so much more chic, with the rapper opting for natural-hues for her hair and feminine silhouettes
In a Saint Laurent couture metallic snakeskin mini dress, paired with a cream Saint Laurent pumps for the 2014 MTV VMAs
Will Nicki’s look continue to reign supremely beautiful? Or will the rapper surprise us again with crazy coloured wigs and anime-like makeup and a matching wardrobe? Let’s watch and see what happens…
9. Stephanie Coker
In Neviole at the 2014 MMR
Barely two years ago, TV personality Stephanie Coker got her big break in television as a presenter on two of MTV Base’s biggest youth-orientated shows, Street Request and the Big Friday Show, hosted by top comedian Basket Mouth. But 2014 was the year Stephanie stepped up her style game and became a fashionista too, making it onto our best dressed list repeatedly.
Ms Coker’s style is witty and cheeky like her personality, but it’s also chic, making her a designer’s muse and the perfect candidate for their red carpet statement dresses.
In Iconic Invanity at the 2014 BET Awards
At the 2014 Headies
And when Stephanie is not rocking her sleek bob, she’s showing off her super-love for long, twisted braids, which she styles perfectly with every outfit, making her our hair muse too!
Will you be watching Stephanie’s look evolve in 2015? We’ve a feeling that you’ll be seeing her everywhere, so it won’t be hard to spot her style…
10. Eku Edewor
At the David Tlale presentation at MBFW S/S’15, wearing Lisa Folawiyo
Last but not the least is a star who isn’t new on the style scene but is on the rise to becoming a real style icon in Nigeria.
With her simple, chic and elegant sense of style and a style team that knows her personality best, model, actress and media personality Eku Edewor is every designer’s dream.
As the host of the 2014 Channel O Music Video Awards, Eku was styled by Bubu Ogisi, she rocked five outfits by five various African designers, (L-R) – Loza Maléombho, Taibo Bacar, Loza Maléombho, Clan and Lisa Folawiyo
She’s been featured in PAPER Magazine‘s online editorial, “Beautiful People of Lagos,” as well as Style.com’s “Lagos Rising,” so she’s surely not just on our radar. Make sure she’s on yours for 2015’s style-watching, too.
Image source: Popsugar.com, Bellanaija.com, SandraRose.com, InsignaMediaOnline.com, StyleVitae.com