‘Wear Nigerian’ is a project one of my favorite writers and Dior’s favorite feminist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie started on Instagram to combat the disastrous economic policies created by the Nigerian government that have subsequently reduced the value of naira.
Ever since Adichie kicked off project ‘Wear Nigerian’ in May 2017 she has been wearing Nigerian designers for her public appearances and with the help of her nieces, has been sharing and promoting them on her Instagram page.
Nigerian designers as well as other African designers have already proven they are a force to be reckoned with and have successfully made their marks in the fashion world thanks to designers like Duro Olowu, whose designs have been worn by Michelle Obama and Beyoncé; and Lisa Folawiyo, whose designs have been featured countless times in Vogue magazine, received many awards and made BoF top 500.
The designers Adichie is wearing and promoting on her Instagram page are no different. They too are making their marks in the fashion world and have made a convincing case why we should all ‘Wear Nigerian’. Below is a list of some of the designers Adichie have partnered with in her project ‘Wear Nigerian’.
Ituen Basi
Ituen Basi celebrates individuality and feminism, and combines timeless elegance with a contemporary twist and cutting edge design aesthetic. For her latest collection titled ‘Double Take‘ she used beading and fringing as the base for the print work. She even used images of her past collections to create a newsprint fabric that was an instant hit on the runway.
StyleTemple
Founded by Og Okonkwo who uses her love for travel to get inspiration for her designs, StyleTemple combines classic yet modern fashion with a play on the balance between feminine and edgy. Among the brand’s collection is a ready-to-wear line which is a mixture of structured wearable mixes with a couture edge, clean geometric cuts and shapes with a standout detail.
Mae Otti
Founded by Oluwayemisi Adeyemi, Mae Otti is famously known for chic power pant suits and pays great attention to neat tailoring, fine lines and minimalism.
Wanger Ayu
Wanger Ayu is an eponymous brand known for its quirky aesthetics, edgy cuts and complex structure. The designer was one of the few designers chosen to present under the British British Council Fashion Focus Series at the Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week in 2015.
Moofa
“Moofa Creates Trans-Seasonal, Timeless and Functional Pieces that can be worn – At Work or During Play Time; Day or Night; Past, Present and Future.” Moofa designs are made with contemporary and edgy pieces that give directional styling and structure to any modern woman’s wardrobe.
