Words By – Yemisi Suleiman

If you have ever wondered how our celebrities always have their looks on point, the style mavens behind them are your answer. These Creatives contribute to the fantasy of an enchanting industry like Nollywood where almost everything is in the public eye.  These stylists, through the looks chosen for their clients, make the red carpet a place full of drama and emotions. Their work is characterized by elaborate colourful choices and sometimes, unpredictable details that represent the client’s personality at his or her best.

From iconic ensembles at Cannes to every red-carpet look you’ve ever coveted, these celebrity stylists, the best in the continent, are the geniuses behind the gowns and getups, even, right down to the footwear. In this edition, we sought to know how they live life as a stylist and the destination from which they source for unique styling materials.

SWANKY JERRY– Styling is hectic

Born Jeremiah Ogbodo, Swanky Jerry as he is popularly known, is a celebrity fashion stylist, designer, social media influencer and brand consultant.

From styling celebrities, and business moguls to Nollywood stars, the boss of Swanky Signature Styling has covered every spectrum of style there is in the industry. He has since gained fame as one of Africa’s most influential celebrity stylists who has no doubt, taken the fashion business to an unprecedented height through innovative and groundbreaking ideas. One of his outstanding works in recent times was the famous Chika Ike’s dress for the Cannes Film Festival last year, which caused so much buzz on the international red carpet and social media. 

How would you describe life as a stylist? What is it like for you?

My life as a stylist is pretty much hectic. I go from stylist to designer, to therapist, to motivational speaker and the list goes on. My prep process includes talking to the photographer and producer about style direction and getting the mood board. The mood board is a collage of inspirational images that tells me what type of clothing/shoes/accessories or general vibe the shoot is going for. Then I gather all of the client information from height to size and measurement (if available). Measurements are important because dress sizes don’t tell the full story.

I style out or create looks according to the mood board. As a Type A stylist, I have to have everything organised and in order beforehand, so I know exactly which looks we’re doing and already have all accessories and shoe options picked out. It also saves a lot of time!

Being the most sought-after stylist on the continent, my phone doesn’t stop beeping all day.

My world might seem glamorous but it’s sure hectic every other day.

Where’s your favourite destination for sourcing styling materials?

Honestly, I don’t have a favourite destination. I source globally;  just anywhere I can find items that are not accessible, whether it is the local African markets, Italy, Turkey, Japan, Korea, United States, London or anywhere in Europe. It depends mostly on what I am looking for.

Trust me, my eyes are always on the ground to find the best materials or fabrics I need. I go far and beyond to source the juice every single time.

Who is your dream celebrity to style and why?

I always get this question every time and honestly speaking, I feel like the world is constantly watching me. I have worked with literally every A-list celebrity in Africa and now adding a bunch of others globally.

I believe my job speaks for itself every time and my service is what is needed; not the other way around.

But if you insist, give me Mrs. Alakija, Michele Obama, and Beyoncé.

TOYIN LAWANI – Styling is the most tasking

It wouldn’t be far off the mark to call Toyin Lawani a fashion royalty in Nigeria, no doubt she has made her mark as one of the most creative and innovative brands in the industry. Though her style has oftentimes been described as eccentric and wired, she says she dresses celebrities according to their personalities and choices.   The CEO of Tiannahs Place Empire (a group compromising 33 businesses) describes herself as the king of fashion, and she goes the extra mile to prove it by curating looks from almost every element including shells, leaves, peppers, bananas, chandeliers and mops, the list is endless.

She was the costume designer for the movies; King of Boys, The Return of the King and Shanty Town to name a few.

She is currently one of the cast on the reality TV show, The Real Housewives of Lagos.

How would you describe your life as a stylist?

Styling to me, is more of using your imagination and mostly your fingers. I can turn just one garment into 30 styles. I won’t even realise it until I touch the garment and start styling unstoppably.

For me, styling is more of creating something out of nothing and turning it into something extraordinary. I can just look at a plant and get inspired about how to drape it into a garment.

It’s a rollercoaster being a celebrity stylist and a designer at the same time. It is one of the most tasking jobs in the fashion industry coupled with the fact that I also run Tiannahstyling Fashion Academy,  training students while running 33 major businesses in total. It’s a hard ball, but the passion I have for my creativity is far beyond human imagination. I make it look easy but it’s not.

I have been in the fashion game for over 20 years and to date, remain the most popular stylist, both local and international. Why? Because I found my niche and stuck to it.

My art sets me apart from everyone else. It also earned me my nickname ‘The king of fashion.”

You can say Tiannah liberated fashion and arts in Nigeria.

When I first started, most people didn’t understand the looks but over the years, I’ve seen the industry evolve and I can say I’m super delighted and proud of myself.

Thinking outside of the box and never conforming to societal norms is what got me here. Exposure and learning more at every chance I get helps too. My eccentric/avant-garde styles, as well as my originality, opened a lot of doors for me internationally.

Where’s your favourite destination for sourcing styling materials?

I don’t have a favourite destination for sourcing fabrics. I source materials only from reputable sources; my clients’ happiness and satisfaction are my priority.

Who is your dream celebrity to style and why?

As a creative director, designer and stylist, I look forward to putting my work out there for the world to see. So, I don’t have a dream celebrity to style but I look forward to styling as many as possible, who love to make bold fashion statements and are not afraid to experiment with new ideas and break fashion boundaries.

MIMI YINA – Life as a stylist is challenging

Mimi Yina, popularly known as Medlin Boss, is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated fashion stylists, consultant, brand influencer and fashion entrepreneur.

Besides her impeccable taste and sense of personal style (her Instagram page is no less than a lookbook in itself), Medlin has a deep understanding of stars’ sartorial sensibilities and an innate talent that helps her bring out their individuality through clothing. Her clientele includes Nollywood actors, music stars, famous reality TV personalities, TV hosts, captains of industry, top businessmen and women, and politicians, amongst others. With loads of clients in the diaspora, Medlin Boss’ vision she says is to rule the global fashion space.

How would you describe your life as a stylist?

My life as a stylist is exciting yet challenging. I get to meet more people in my line of work. As professional as styling is for me, it is very personal for the clients as they open up their homes, lives and most times, body insecurities to you. You have to be able to manage and keep information as a stylist, as you consult clients. You will also need to learn people management as you will meet people with different temperaments. Every person is unique; you must find the best way to let a client know if a style they are hell-bent on wearing is inappropriate for their body type or save the day if there’s a wardrobe malfunction. That, however, no longer happens to us, as I make sure clients turn in for as many fittings as possible!

But in all, I love my life as a stylist!

Where’s your favourite destination for sourcing styling materials?

I love Turkey, Paris and Milan. All the top fashion capitals are my go-to places, but you’ll be amazed at how many accessories you can get from Nigerian vendors. But, they must know my clients are top-notch and high net-worth; so, they must deliver exclusive accessories only tailored for my brand.

Who is your dream celebrity to style and why?

My dream celebrity? (Laughs)That would be the day there are tons of celebrities on my plate. The international celebrity market is now open to us with the likes of Sarah Roberts-Jakes. It would be phenomenal to style Lady Gaga. She looks like one to wear our looks. I am very open to styling Beyoncé, especially for her performance outfits. A minimalist power suit for Oprah and Michelle Obama is also on my bucket list.

YOLANDA OKEREKE – Styling is living my dream

Yolanda Okereke is a fashion entrepreneur who works as a renowned costume designer and producer for film and television.

She sits at the helm of The Rani Company— a costume design and styling company, and The Wardrobe Shack— a costume rental store.

Her first foray into fashion was with the establishment of her fashion label— Rani Gisele, while at the university, where she studied Chemical Engineering.

After graduation, she began her Costume Design career and has since become one of Nollywood‘s foremost Costume designers.

Yolanda’s film and television credits include Nigeria’s highly successful and record-breaking first Netflix original series, Blood Sisters. Others include Far From Home, Oloture and Castle and Castle Season 2. Others are King Of Boys 1, The Wedding Party 1, The Wedding Party 2, Fifty and The Ghost And The House Of Truth.

Yolanda was the head stylist for Netflix’s advertising campaigns in Nigeria; “Nollywood is Home”, “Nollywood is Ours” and “Home With Netflix”

She also worked with Dubai Tourism on their promotional campaigns for Visit Dubai.

How would you describe your life as a stylist?

I am blessed to be able to use my God-given talent to add value to others. This is like living what you dreamed or prayed about. The “Yolanda, I need an outfit by tomorrow” “I only have this budget; can you work your magic?” or “I have a wardrobe malfunction”, all do not matter anymore. The long days and nights and thinking on your feet will always pay off.

In summary, my life as a stylist has glitz, glamour, sweat, tears, part therapist, and artistry, as costume design really, is an art.

Where’s your favourite destination for sourcing styling materials?

I don’t have a favourite place because my inspiration for outfits comes from so many different places: Morocco, Lagos, Paris, Cameroon and Japan.

Who is your dream celebrity to style and why?

Angela Basset or Sade Adu. Why? Come on, you know why.

It wouldn’t be far off the mark to call Toyin Lawani a fashion royalty in Nigeria, no doubt she has made her mark as one of the most creative and innovative brands in the industry. Though her style has oftentimes been described as eccentric and wired, she says she dresses celebrities according to their personalities and choices. The CEO of Tiannahs Place Empire (a group compromising 33 businesses) describes herself as the king of fashion, and she goes the extra mile to prove it by curating looks from almost every element including shells, leaves, peppers, bananas, chandeliers and mops, the list is endless.
She was the costume designer for the movies; King of Boys, The Return of the King and Shanty Town to name a few.
She is currently one of the cast on the reality TV show, The Real Housewives of Lagos.

How would you describe your life as a stylist?
Styling to me, is more of using your imagination and mostly your fingers. I can turn just one garment into 30 styles. I won’t even realise it until I touch the garment and start styling unstoppably.
For me, styling is more of creating something out of nothing and turning it into something extraordinary. I can just look at a plant and get inspired about how to drape it into a garment.
It’s a rollercoaster being a celebrity stylist and a designer at the same time. It is one of the most tasking jobs in the fashion industry coupled with the fact that I also run Tiannahstyling Fashion Academy, training students while running 33 major businesses in total. It’s a hard ball, but the passion I have for my creativity is far beyond human imagination. I make it look easy but it’s not.
I have been in the fashion game for over 20 years and to date, remain the most popular stylist, both local and international. Why? Because I found my niche and stuck to it.
My art sets me apart from everyone else. It also earned me my nickname “The king of fashion.”
You can say Tiannah liberated fashion and arts in Nigeria.
When I first started, most people didn’t understand the looks but over the years, I’ve seen the industry evolve and I can say I’m super delighted and proud of myself.
Thinking outside of the box and never conforming to societal norms is what got me here. Exposure and learning more at every chance I get helps too. My eccentric/avant-garde styles, as well as my originality, opened a lot of doors for me internationally.

Where’s your favourite destination for sourcing styling materials?
I don’t have a favourite destination for sourcing fabrics. I source materials only from reputable sources; my clients’ happiness and satisfaction are my priority.

Who is your dream celebrity to style and why?
As a creative director, designer and stylist, I look forward to putting my work out there for the world to see. So, I don’t have a dream celebrity to style but I look forward to styling as many as possible, who love to make bold fashion statements and are not afraid to experiment with new ideas and break fashion boundaries.