Unity in Diversity

Fashion has always been an integral part of the Nigerian culture and it’s not only evident in the western garments people wear but largely in the traditional attires worn nationwide.

One of the pioneers of the Nigerian fashion industry in the 60s was Sade Thomas Fahm. In that era women’s garments consisted of oversized tops as well as fitted mini-skirts similar to the European style due to the fact that the country had just escaped colonial rule.

Sade owned a boutique that provided for both European and Nigerian styles. Two of her most remarkable designs were the Boubou (a loose fitted gown/dress or an oversized gown made with African print fabric) and zipped wrapper skirt, which are still cherished till this day as the designs keep ending up on tailors’ sewing machines.

In the 90s, Ade Bakare Couture and Deola Sagoe, amongst others were well favoured fashion brands as they wove culture with vintage and retro styles.

In the 2000s, the exploration and acceptance of fashion design as a suitable career heightened. It saw the rise of garment makers such as Lisa Folawiyo and Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, who notably used African fabrics and designs to produce trendy, but authentically Nigerian, fashion. These trends included the Ankara fabric, beading and lace mixtures, which were popular because individuals desired to be draped in Nigerian fashion in a unique manner. The growing adoration for Aso-Ebi (which is a uniform attire conventionally worn by family and friends at special occasions) has prompted the return of trends like Oleku, an Iro (long/mini wrapper skirt) and Buba (fitted blouse with long sleeves), today.

The beauty of the Nigerian culture lies in the different attires that our various tribes and ethnicities acquire. The Yoruba people form one of the three main tribes in Nigeria. They are known for their excellent apparel as it portrays wealth and status, and are for the most part, showcased during special events, such as weddings. The women wear a head scarf called the Gele accompanied by an Iro (mini/long wrapper skirt) and the Buba (fitted blouse with long sleeves), all of which are of the same or similar colour and design aimed at making one look like a princess. Whereas the men wear a robe like attire called an Agbada, usually designed in extravagant styles just fit for a king.

Additionally, the Edo people of southern Nigeria have a traditional style characterised by history and rich unique culture which is worth fawning over and just like the Yorubas, their garbs are displayed largely at wedding ceremonies by the couple of the hour. The bride is made to look like a queen. Her apparel consists of a coral red earth beaded headpiece termed the Okuku, alongside equally beaded bracelets, cape, anklets and waist beads. To look uniform with their brides, the grooms also dub beads as neckpieces, amongst other accessories. This indicates their compliant union and love.

Lastly, Kanuri is Borno’s most dominant culture which has a sense of regal identity. The men wear four main garments, two of which are called the Kulwu (gown) and Yange (large trousers). Whereas the women wear radiant scarves or turbans, accompanied by black painted lips and are accessorised by a red or black body dye called henna, as well as some brilliant gold jewellery.

Fashion will always be used as a medium of diversity and sense of identity in Nigeria. It shows the authenticity and creativity of our culture as well as uniqueness and history of our land. This is why Nigerian traditional attires are still held in high regard and will always retain its power as it differs its people from the rest of the world.