All over the world entertainers set the trend. Actors, musicians, stand up comedians and entertainment executives are hardly known for copying from people. It is the other way round. Fans pick up fashion tips from their favourite star. Fashion on the red carpet has been taken to heights never before seen in the country. Correspondent, Kemi Yesufu, offers a list of Nigeria’s most stylish entertainers.
Kate Henshaw-Nuttall
She is one of the early entrants in the Nigerian movie industry. Kate, who is married with a daughter, has a smile that sends emotions wild. For some industry observers, the Cross Rivers State indigene was just a pretty face with abundant talent. But over the years, Kate has blossomed into one of Nollywood’s sexy divas. Her choice of attires to major events has set her apart from the pack of leading ladies. She stole the show during the Nigerian Music Awards (NMA) 2007 and the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) 2008. Both events were held in Abuja. It’s no wonder when recently the actress raised huge sums for charity by auctioning her red carpet attires.
Rita Dominic
Without doubt, Rita Dominic is a fashion freak. Most girls, who watch the Imo State born actress’s films, do so for one reason, which is to take a look at her choice of clothes. Few people can remember the University of Port Harcourt graduate having a bad hair day. Many are of the opinion that if Rita were in Hollywood in the 50s and 60s, she would have coped just fine. This golden era of Hollywood was dominated by trend setters like Frank Sinatra, James Dean and Marylyn Monroe, stars who by 6a.m., would be impeccably dressed. Aside Rita’s choice of outfits, her hair dos, make-up and gait has ensured that she remains on top for years as Nigeria’s best-dressed female actress. Though some people think this Nollywood star is vain, alleging that she wears make-up in scenes depicting early morning where she ought to look plain, they agree that she has got style. Rita is also known for her love for shoes. It is believed the actress has close to a hundred pairs of footwear.
Jim Iyke
Love or hate him, Jim Iyke is miles ahead of his contemporaries in the fashion department. This guy who made his name in Nollywood through his bad boy roles, loves to look good. Jim knows how to get the attention and adoration of the ladies through his spotting the right look each time you see him. His six-pack body has ensured that Jim’s clothes sit properly on him, be it the funky, sporty or glamorous look.
Naeto C
His single kini big deal from his debut album U Know My P is burning up the charts. Aside his laid-back rap style, which has endeared him to rap fans in the country, Naeto Chikwe, as he is called off stage, has got style. For those who have seen any of his music videos, not only are they classy, the fashion on display is top notch. Naeto in recent interview with Daily Independent refused to be categorised as a fashion copycat. The Storm Records artiste says that his love for trendy attires comes naturally. The neck-scarves, suits, designer eyewear, all, Naeto C says, are his creations.
Uche Jombo
Despite being on the plump side, Uche Jombo is a stylish babe any day. It’s easy to see that the actress who is highly sought after by scriptwriters, loves to look chic any time she steps out of her home. Known for her love for life, her zestful character reflects on her fashion sense. Aside her clothes Uche has a thing for breezy hair dos.
Dare Art- Alade
He started singing professionally with Chordwebs an all-male group. Dare later went solo. The University of Lagos graduate who worked with Cool FM is Nigeria’s authentic prince of soul music. The Project Fame star has two albums to his credit Me 2 U and Undareted. Be it on stage singing or compeering shows and even off the stage, Dare is a guy who looks fresh all of the time. It’s hard to fault Dare whenever you see him. He has a way with clothes, accessories and perfumes.
Julius Agwu
The man who likes to call himself a pikin has the fashion orientation of royalty. Julius de Genius Agwu loves to leave an impression everywhere he goes. Though some think the Lagos based musicomedian takes his love for fashion to the extreme some times, they have never described him a tacky. Another thing Julius has going for him is his ensemble of designer sunshades, that are not only expensive but are trendy.
D’Banj
D’Banj, Skibanj, Kokomaster or whatever you choose to call the award- winning musician never settles for less when it comes to his appearance. D’Banj has popularised the sleeveless tops and skinny pants just like Fela Anikulapo Kuti did in his hey days. D’Banj, who perpetually has his eyes covered with designer sunshades, loves the bling-bling and like he said in his song suddenly/na because I flashy/ when the girls them come I treat fine/. This dude knows that as an entertainer you must have a high sense of dress.
Basket Mouth
Bright Okpocha is his name as known by family members. But Basket Mouth, as he is known on stage, has a way with his dressing. When, a couple of years back, he chose to grow dreadlocks, some thought the father of one had made a mistake with his image. But this guy has proven that a dreadlocked guy can look good in a suit. No doubt, Basket Mouth has invested well in the fashion department so much that he made the list.
Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde
She isn’t called Omo Sexy for nothing. Omotola has the looks of a spinster though she has been married for years to her pilot husband, Mathew. Their union is blessed with children. Aside her well-paid hubby, Omotola’s pay cheque for a movie, which is about a million Naira, ensures that she can buy just about any outfit that catches her fancy.
Sasha
Nobody switches from the tomboy to a superb chic-look like Yetunde Alabi, a.k.a Sasha as she is known by her fans. The chubby-faced rapper isn’t only good at rapping to the delight of rap music lovers; she definitely knows how to wrap her body in sexy attires.
Katung Aduwak
From a Pateck Philippe watch to perfumes, sunshades, Big Brother Nigeria (BBN) winner, Katung Aduwak, is a powerful dresser any day. The dude says the key thing is to avoid monotony; he is ever willing to try something out of the box. The result of his experimentation is his high ratings in the fashion department.
Genevieve Nnaji
Ask the Nollywood movie fan next door what he thinks about Genevieve Nnaji and he will most probably say she is cute and stylish. This actress has captured millions of hearts with her acting prowess and her smashing attires. From Imo State, Genevieve is not flashy but she certainly stands from the crowd at parties, award shows and other events.
Don Jazzy
He is the Chief Executive Officer of Mo Hits Record home to MTV award winner and his friend D’Banj. Don Jazzy has got skills. When it comes to making hit songs, few can stand the kokomaster’s alter ego. On the fashion scene, Don Jazzy is trendsetter. Yes, back, he and a few other guys dared to wear the colour pink, hitherto the exclusive preserve of females. Not only did the music producer wear pink clothing, he pushed the limits with pink accessories such as his baseball caps and timberland boots. His walking stick adds to his hip-hop swagger.
Stephanie Okereke
She is the sultry actress from Imo State. This University of Calabar graduate has not only won hearts through the delivery of her lines, she has garnered for herself fashion fans who think her style is worthy of following. This young woman who survived a ghastly car accident few years back on her way to the AMMA awards in Yenogoa, the Bayelsa State capital works with a slight limp. But this hasn’t diminished her uncanny ability to pick the right gown for the red carpet and the right hair do to go with it.
Ali Baba
The Godfather of stand up comedy in Nigeria is a good dresser. He may have a conservative approach to his appearance sticking with tested and trusted suite makers. Make no mistakes the younger comedians still look up to Ali Baba when it comes to fashion.
Bukky Wright
She is a pretty woman, no doubt. Bukky Wright also has her finger on the fashion scene. Wright, who has a number of modelling gigs to her credit, attracts men like bees to honey. The truth is, very few of the opposite sex, can resist a woman like this University of Lagos graduate. Her looks and her choice of attire make her irresistible.
Dayo Adeneye
He is one third of the Prime Time Africa crew. D One as Kenny Ogungbe’s close pal is often called, comes across as a well-groomed man. His is ever looking suave and appealing to the ladies.
Queen Onokala
The soul music exponent has this aura to her. She oozes sex appeal without being vulgar. Known as kween professionally, this young woman has turned the Afro look to her property. Kween who agrees that style shouldn’t be defined on how much clothes one has but how he/she uses them deserves to be on this list.
Frank Edoho
There are few men on national TV that look as good as presenter of hit TV series ‘who wants to be a millionaire.’ Once Edoho comes into the studios to drill contestants for the ten millions naira prize money, the compliments on his choice of suits begin to pour in.
Ikechukwu
He is one Nigerian rapper that when he is on a track; you don’t have to strain your ears to understand what he is talking about. You could say being fashionable in his genes. He is one third of the trio that make up the World Famous Akademy, the others being Naeto C and Uzi, his brother, both guys dress well.
Gordons
Gospel singer and stand up comedian, Gordons, is another entertainer who loves to look good. Though some people think he could sometime be loud and his choice of squares run foul of his suites and shirts, Gordons pays attention to his appearance.
Pee Lola
Abuja-based singer and actress Omolola Shokeye, better known as Pee Lola never fails to amaze observers by the way she switches from her sexy on stage outfits to corporate looks. The singer, who has been described as eye candy by many guys, has the carriage of a model.
Rikky Bent
‘Like mother like daughter’ best describes how Rikkeino Bent got her fashion groove on. The singer is the daughter of power dresser Adamawa senator, Folashade Bent. Rikky, as she is known in the entertainment circles, has it going on. Her full figure makes it easy for clothes to seat on her and her tattoos are lovely.
Mercy Ahigbe
Right from her days in the University of Lagos where she studied Creative Arts, Mercy Ahigbe never spares cost to look smashing. The lady who’s making waves in the Yoruba films industry has a good knack for sexy attires.
Lola Alao
Airhostesses are like models. For you to become one, you have the statistics of the females on the runway. Lola Alao began her career as an airhostess with the now defunct Okada Air. Though Alao doesn’t look exactly like she did walking down the isle of the aircraft, she still has her fashion sense intact.
Tayo Odukeke
Better known as Sidika Sindodo, she is undoubtedly one of the best-dressed actresses in the Yoruba movies.
Sanni Danja
Call him a funky Mallam and you will not be wrong. Kannywood actor and musician Sanni Danja is probably the best-dressed entertainer up north. Be it when he is decked in native or jeans, Danja lives up to the billing.
Tee A
Tunde Adewale, as christened by his parents, is not only a handsome face but he is a power dresser. Tee A, who’s fond of jokingly asking Ali Baba his mentor to remember the days he hand down shirts to him, often looks nice these days.
Dickson Iroegbu
Like a bolt out of the blues, Nollywood director Dickson Iroebgu changed his image from regular guy to dreadlock wearing trendsetter. For his name to be on this list, it means that the award winning director’s moves was not in vain.
Barsoge Tariah Jnr
This guy really loves fashion. He is not vain but the comedian and actor comes across like a man to whom dressing well comes naturally. He looks good, be it in corporate, sporty and traditional attires.
