Meet Nigerian fashion designer who clothed former US 1st lady

Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 8:21 AM by Khadijah Thabit

- Nigerian fashion designer, Amaka Osakwe, has spent over a decade in the industry and made giant strides

- With her brand, Maki Oh, Osakwe has taken her designs beyond borders and across continents

- In 2014, she was one of the designers invited by Michelle Obama to the White House for an evening of design

Many Nigerian fashion designers have turned the industry around in the last decade. Not only have they made it a billion dollar industry, they have also gone beyond the shores of Nigeria with their designs.

One of such is Amaka Osakwe, the brains and hands behind the eclectic Maki Oh brand. Infusing the traditional style and adire fabric, Osakwe has designed magnificent pieces that have landed on the backs of former US first lady Michelle Obama, international celebrities such as Lupita Nyong’o and Solange.

Osakwe has graced international runways, including showcasing her designs at the New York Fashion Week, where the biggest fashion designers in the world compete for the eyes and attention of world-class fashion icons and fashion critics.

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It is no wonder, in 2014, Osakwe was counted as one of the privileged designers to be invited by Michelle Obama to the White House for an evening on design. The brilliant Nigerian designer went to the spectacular event with her parents. Speaking to Fast Company, Osakwe described the moment as exciting for her parents who were proud of her achievements.

Interestingly, Osakwe went to a fashion school in Bournemouth, England but in an interview with Fast Company stated that it was quite a war getting her parents especially her dad to accept her chosen career path. In the end however, it was all worth it.

When asked, the designer stated that she loves Japanese designers such as Rei Kawakubo and Issey Miyake.

Below are some of her designs:

Meanwhile, Nigerian Nikki Ogunnaike who was formerly the style director for top international fashion brand, Elle, has become the deputy fashion director for GQ (Gentlemen's Quarterly) magazine.