By Josephine Agbonkhese

In another four days, the much-anticipated new year will begin as the curtain falls on the unforgettable year 2020.

Indeed, a lot has happened since the beginning of this year. At first, it was the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria, and then just when we thought we were getting over being locked down, #EndSARS broke out.
In this final 2020 edition of Allure, we reminisce on some of the year’s biggest events, in no particular order.

Mask Fashion Debuts

Who would have thought that a nose mask will become the most prominent fashion trend of 2020? No thanks to COVID-19 which has changed our lives and made the use of masks compulsory in public places. Thanks too to designers who came up with various

designs, shapes and patterns of nose masks; now, they are worn to match our outfits.

EndSARS Protest

Can anyone ever reminisce on 2020 in Nigeria’s history without remembering Bloody October? In that month, countless properties were razed, as an hitherto peaceful protest, #EndSARS, against alleged high-handedness of police unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, got hijacked and turned really messy; the climax was the mysterious massacre of peaceful protesters at Lekki Tollgate on 20th of October.

Adieu Kenzo Takada

The fashion world said goodbye to much-respected designer and visionary, Kenzo Takada; Founder of the global Kenzo brand, who died of COVID-19 in Paris at the age of 81.
Kenzo was the first Japanese designer to gain prominence in the highly-competitive Paris fashion scene.

Reign of Virtual Runways

Unlike past years in which designers around the globe spent the various fashion weeks traipsing around studios, and posing outside for street style photographers, 2020 ushered everyone a front row seat to runways as shows were largely digital. Still, there was no shortage of incredible fashion. Thanks to brands like Thisday that proved that this stunt can be pulled successfully with it Arise Fashion Week.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Wins Big

It was a year of big wins for former Minister of Finance and former Managing Director of the World Bank, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as she, against all odds, secured the majority support needed to emerge as the first female Director-General of the World Trade Organization, WTO.
Earlier in April, she was also among prominent individuals selected from around the world by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to serve as its new External Advisory Group.

Chimamanda Adichie Wins Women’s Prize For Literature

Writer and author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, got voted winner of Women’s Prize for Literature “Winner of Winners” for her novel, Half of a Yellow Sun.
She won against Zadie Smith, the late Andrea Levy, Lionel Shriver, Rose Tremain, and Maggie O’Farrell, amongst others.