After the AMVCAs and the whirlwind of corsets flying left and right, I reminisced on the simpler times from 2010 to 2015. A time when fashion wasn’t a play on who can suffocate all the oxygen from their lungs first. If you’re really a hot babe, there’s no way you didn’t rock any of these 8 fashion pieces from way back.
Abortion belt
I can still see African mothers around the world throwing hands because of the name of this belt. Why was it called abortion belts though? Did it have to do with how unnecessarily large they were? Those are the unanswered questions you may continue to live with. Either way, consider yourself a premium babe if you rocked it.
Dashiki and Ankara tops
Dashiki, a pair of jeans and heels were on chokehold back then. In our minds, that was the real shit and there was no way an Ankara crop top could go wrong for any kind of event. Please give us back our colourful tops.
If you threw a boyfriend jacket over your tank top, it was over for everybody. Of course, tank tops are still very much in style, but there were a lot brighter colours going on back then. And the prints and captions on them were the darndest things.
Shambalas
There was something sweet about accessorising with shambalas. And the best part was when you didn’t have to spend any money on them. All you had to do was steal one or two from your guys and you were good to go.
Wedged shoes
The slay queens are shaking. You’re feeling fly in your six-inch stilettos these days, but deep down, you know you’d give anything to go back to the times when wedged heels were for the gorgeous gorgeous babes.
Also called pleated skirts. They were the starter pack for every church girl trying to maintain her material girl status.
Peplum tops
Peplum tops were a foodie’s best friend. Nothing was better than being able to cover up the consequence of eating eba at 1 a.m. The good old days when nobody sent your pot belle. Now, we’re in the era of crop tops and baggy jeans. Good thing we’re finally able to breathe sha.
Mohawks/Rihanna
Rihanna’s music was (and still is) definitely iconic but her hair? If you weren’t shaving off your head every time Rihanna came out with a new hairstyle, then you weren’t a happening babe.
There was no theme for this year’s AMVCA, but the outfits definitely left an impression. Take this quiz to match the right outfit to it’s owner.
It gets even more interesting as it goes.
For those who don’t know, last night was the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA 8) Gala Night. There was no theme, but we expected the attending celebrities to show up at their glamorous best to celebrate Nollywood’s biggest night and winners.
Most of the stars got the memo and dressed accordingly, but in no particular order, here are the looks from the red carpet that completely raised the stakes.
I know I wrote “in no particular order”, but let’s start with the very best, shall we? From the ethereal aqua colour, the inspired take on ruched pleats, to the beautiful mermaid silhouette and extravagant train, this look wasn’t just glamorous, it also resembled the decadence once saved for imperial royalty — the only thing missing being some obscene jewellery. Were those butterflies or birds on the bottom right side of her dress?
Caroline Danjuma’s take on the babydoll dress
There’s something about the colour palette of this look that screams, “soft life”. Do you know what I mean? The resplendent tulle cape was everything, but the bejewelled lace dress and elegant up-do played their parts to make this a definite AMVCA red-carpet serve.
Tope Tedela’s immaculate couture moment
Choice of colour and quality tailoring are everything, and Tope’s look proves it. These factors turned what should have been a basic tuxedo suit into immaculate couture. And then, the detail on the jacket… Just look at it!
Nancy Isime’s beaded ode to American 1920s glamour
Who knew beads and lace could work so well together? Nancy and her stylist, obvi. The American ‘20s may have inspired the full look, but the bottom of the dress is giving Egyptian loin-cloth vibes. In fact, something about this AMVCA look screams ancient African royalty. Am I the only one who thinks “Osun river goddess” when I look at the white beads draped over her lower arms long enough?
Susan Pwajok’s simple pearled elegance
It may seem simple but look at the details on this dress?! The beaded corset with the elaborate lace trimmings at the top and the sheer lace covering the bottom, all while taking the risk of letting her sleek weave down. This Gen-Z small-screen queen may be signalling the start of her red-carpet reign with this look, and we’re absolutely here for it.
Denola Grey’s tailored tailcoat tuxedo… without the tail
If Denola Grey isn’t on this list, is it even a celebrity best-dressed list? He arrived at the AMVCA to prove once again that he doesn’t enter these lists based on old glory. Denola knows style like the back of his hands, and he makes his own trends. This old-timey silver-leaf-embroidered tuxedo jacket with its dark-red satin co-ords is just another example of this fact.
Michelle Dede’s demure army-green pleats
Green is such an underrated colour, and you can’t tell me otherwise. There’s something just immaculate and elegant about the greens, especially the darker shades. This regal off-shoulder number gives major “power” and “wealth” vibes, everything we need to see on a talented celebrity. Those sleeves are perfection too. Thank you for blessing us with this look, Michelle.
My God! It’s the accordion pleats of the ball gown bottom for me with this look. The framed corset and open-finger gloves are beautiful as well, while the perky ponytail and clean silver jewellery tie the pretty look together like a nice Fuschia-pink bow.
Nonso Bassey’s “gilded” ensemble
If Nonso had taken this look to this year’s MET Gala, he would’ve been closer — if too literal — than most, to the theme, Gilded Glamour. That being said, this sequined top and bottom could’ve been too much, but somehow, it wasn’t.
Osas Ighodaro’s official “best-dressed” winner
AMVCA crowned her “best-dressed” — and Best Actress in a Drama — so who am I not to put her on my list? This grey diamanté look is simply stunning with the see-through, body-moulding silhouette and layered tail, but what did we expect from the stylish actress?
Enioluwa Adeoluwa’s embroidered royal wedding suit
Enioluwa could’ve easily replaced Meghan’s Prince Harry at their wedding with this suit. The gold embroidery on the jacket was everything, and the gold-side dress pants were the perfect complement. But what about the black gloves, the gold rings, the hair dye and cut, the dark-red socks? Perfection from head to toe, my guy! Let this be a case for more NextGen stars to be invited for these major events (a full article on this may just be coming soon).
Toke Makinwa’s tulle bombshell second lewk
A bombshell any day, Tok Star kills once again with this particular look, her second for the night. Her first and major look was nice, I guess, but this one steps away from her usual style, and she still bodied it! The stoned neck and panelled waistline bring the whole look together without doing too much. And I don’t know what that piece of tulle is behind her neck and shoulders, but I love it!
Tacha Akide’s silver goddess vibes
I don’t know if Tacha is aware, but this was the perfect homage to her riverine roots. She looked like a marine goddess in this, with the deep-ocean hue, metallic “scales” and mermaid silhouette of the dress. The Chinese bun and sticks deviated from the cultural program, but I love an afro-oriental fusion any day. Don’t get me started with those shoulder pads, please.
Uti Nwachukwu’s stainless royal blue
It’s a clean, well-tailored suit that stands out like no other. This might be because the lack of lapels make it different from the rest, without being outlandish, or because royal blue is my favourite colour. Either way, something was working here. But shaa, the men need to step up in this red-carpet game.
Bonang Matheba’s hostess with the “mostest” energy
This South African media personality had up to three looks for the AMVCA, and they all killed. Period. And that’s on saving the best for last.
It’s a wrap. Do you agree with this list? Let us know if we got it to a tee, or who you think should/shouldn’t have made it here.
