They deck up A-list celebrities for a living. Not a job for pushovers, the styling business currently experiences a boom in the world of fashion. With a unique fashion sense, these stylists hold the ace
Dimeji Alara
In an industry which is dominated by females, Dimeji Alara stands tall. Unassuming and talented, he parades a clientele list that includes Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde; Asa; Funmi Iyanda; Eku Edewor; Kemi Adetiba and Agbani Darego.
Born and raised in Paris, the soft-spoken stylist began his career as a journalist with Genevieve magazine and soon became the fashion editor of the publication, before quitting in 2011.
A jacket freak, he has also worked with some of the biggest fashion magazines outside of Nigeria; among these are ELLE, GQ, GLAMOUR and LONGEVITY. A lover of dark hues, he became the first editor-in-chief of Style Mania. Though petite, Alara succeeds in carving a niche for himself style-wise. Blessed with a warm personality, he is a well- respected authority in the industry. Since he was announced to be the editor of Genevieve Magazine in 2013, he has been responsible for some of the brilliant overhauling the lifestyle publication has been undergoing in recent times.
Yolanda Okereke
Beautiful Yolanda Okereke is a stylist and friend to many Nollywod stars. It is not surprising therefore, that therein, lies her forte. Not a newbie in the world of fashion, she began her styling career in 2009.
Known for her simple yet chic style, she has styled Monalisa Chinda; Uche Jombo; Djinee; Kate Henshaw; Ini Edo; Rita Dominic; Nse Ikpe-Etim; DJ Jimmy Jatt; Desmond Elliot and Joseph Benjamin. Fondly called Rani, this Chemical Engineering graduate has designed and costumed for several Nollywood flicks including Rita Dominic’s ‘The Meeting;’ Ashionye Raccah’s ‘Journey to Self;’ Emem Isong’s ‘Weekend Getaway;’ Monalisa Chinda’s drama series, ‘Catwalk,’ among many others. As one of the very few stylists who ‘allows her clients to shine,’ little wonder that Okereke, who has spent a greater part of her life in Benin, Lagos and the United Kingdom, is well sought after.
Tayo Shonekan
A silent achiever, Tayo Shonekan, is one of the pioneers of fashion styling in Nigeria. She has styled look books for designers such as Lanre Da Silva-Ajayi and Zebra. Her celebrity clientele also include Omawunmi; Nneka; TY Bello; Chimamanda Adichie; Ikechukwu; Kate Henshaw and Helen Priest-Ajayi. Others are: Dakore Akande, Mo Chedda and Stephanie Okereke.
This light-skinned fashion connoisseur has also styled a number of advertorials for telecommunication giant, Globacom with their ambassadors such as Ini Edo; Rita Dominic; Ramsey Noah; Mike Ezuruonye; Ego and Funke Akindele.
Born and raised in Lagos, her personal style is creative with a hint of eclecticism. A graduate of engineering but a lover of all things beautiful and stylish, Shonekan is, no doubt, well connected.
Bubu Ogisi
Born to a half-Scottish mother and a Nigerian father, Ogisi Oritsegbubemi, or Bubu Ogisi as she is widely known, is the first choice for so many celebrities. As the brain behind her youthful brand, iamISIGO, the quirky stylist who once toyed with the idea of becoming a DJ, has worked with Osas Ighodaro, Seyi Shey, Eku Edewor and Toolz.
Educated in Nigeria and Ghana, where she acquired a degree in Computer Science, this hat lover has a burning passion for fashion. Currently studying for an MA in Fashion Business from Ecole Superieur Technique de la Mode in France, she is a perfect muse for her fashion line and admits loving the fact that old trends are being re-rocked.
Ebun Aboderin
Stylist to the stars, Ebun, who just got married, is the cover stylist for Complete Fashion magazine. A London College of Style graduate, the curvy stylist has worked with Rita Dominic; Omowunmi Akinnifesi; Agbani Darego; Seyi Shay; Fade Ogunro; Stephanie Linus; Davido and Chidinma. With a dress sense that can rightly be described as chic and glamorous, the full figured lady has mastered the art of dressing to suit her body size.
Toyin Lawani
Trendy Toyin Lawani remains the go-to-stylist of top Nigerian personalities. A woman of many parts, her patrons include the likes of Wizkid; Banky W; Niyola; Tiwa Savage; Don Jazzy; Dr Sid; Wande Coal; D’Prince and Davido. She has also designed for Hollywood celebrities such as Singer Kelly Roland; Destiny’s Child; Bria Myles; Jennifer Richardson; and Natalie Nunn.
This vivacious mother of two, who is on top of her game, was said to have been bitten by the style bug at age 16. The Creative Director of Tiannah Styling, who recently completed a state-of-art business complex, loves tattoo and stocks some of the most expensive pieces. Recently, she sold a N1million outfit to a Nigerian celebrity.
Lillian Unachukwu
The CEO, Liam Fashion Agency, Lillian Unachukwu, calls the shot in the style department. Having worked with multi-national companies and fashion magazines, she also decks up artistes such as D’banj; Tuface Idibia; P-Square; Wizkid; Banky W; M.I; Waje and Tiwa Savage. The fun-loving stylist is a trendsetter.
Unachukwu, who studied at Igbinedion University, is living her life on the glamour lane. With a reality show that captures her life as a celebrity stylist, she has not done badly for herself in spite of the fact that she is from a relatively wealthy home. Beautiful and endowed with an eye- catching physique that has all the curves in the right places, she is no doubt poised to become a fashion icon in no time.
Sharon Ojong
She embraced limelight after contesting in the Koko Mansion reality TV series a few years back. She is currently the creative director of D.E.E.V.A.S, a fashion and PR boutique. The fashion-forward stylist, who has worked with FAB, TW and Red Sheet magazines, is also the in-house stylist at Spice fashion TV. She worked with the likes of Rita Dominic; Omoni Oboli; Kayla; Muna and Ramsey Noah. A lover of androgynous outfits and edgy fashion, the leggy stylist is a trendsetter.
Ezinne Chinkata
Energetic and a go-getter, personal stylist and image consultant, Ezinne Chinkata, has earned a good name for herself within a short time. She recently opened a fashion boutique — Zinkata — which is a gathering of many fashion finds with a blend of vintage, classic and African touch. A fashion contributor for Vogue Italia online, the trim fashionista has decked up top Nigerian celebrities who include Emem Isong; Ini Edo; Monalisa Chinda and Uche Jombo. Her vintage-inspired fashion sense continues to stand her out from the pack. With a knack for bold accessories, there is no stopping this effervescent stylist.
Veronica Odeka
She is an ex-supermodel, mother, radio show host, and currently the CEO of Vane Style. Unarguably one of the biggest Nigerian stylists, Veronica Ebie-Odeka has worked with celebrities including Mo Abudu. She has styled personalities for magazine shoots and she is the official stylist for ‘Moments with Mo’, a talk show and TV soap, Tinsel.
A graduate of London College of Fashion, she garnered the bulk of her experience modelling on the runways of New York City and Los Angeles. A friend to top super models, she is a force to be reckoned with in the industry. While she is not one to blow her trumpet, her works and clients speak volumes for her.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: editor@punchng.com