Fashion has always been in Nigerian long before westernization came and amplified it. In Nigeria, fashion gained grounds due to the many expression of different cultures, ethnic groups, and religions. Like the western fashion industries, the Nigerian fashion industry also has several influences, structures and more participation than there usually was.

A good number of Nigerian youths now venture into different forms of fashion like never before. Some work as clothing designers, some, clothing stylists, some models, some, makeup artists, some, hair stylists, cosmetologists and some fashion photographers. Some even go ahead to find a career path as fashion journalists.

Most fashion professionals have their websites and social media platforms dedicated to fashion, while Nigeria's New Fashion Week has become the trend in major cities in Nigeria, attended by fashion influencers, enthusiasts and headliners. We can attribute these to the influence of the western world. However, the days when the western fashion was the only thing we emulated are gradually fading.

Today, Nigerians have created a niche for themselves, sewing natives with an uncompromising creativity. The fashion trend has now become so unique through her color play on pattern and style of sewing. What makes it more fabulous is their ability to blend both western and African style in their fashion, for wearable and everyday style.

About a century ago, Nigerians wore their traditional garb all the time. Now, it is being worn for special occasions like weddings, work on Friday, religious gathers ‘Church or Mosque’, and so on. Local fabric such as Ankara fabric a 100% cotton filled with vibrant patterns and African motifs is also called Dutch wax or Holland wax, African prints or African wax prints. It is good to know that it is not only internationally recognized but also internationally accepted.

It should not surprise you that until now, some still assume Africans only wear traditional garb or using clothing solely functionally (to cover the body and protect it from environmental factors) due to the fact that in many African countries, clothes have historically been decorative and scarring, painting, tattooing, or jewelry.

Back in those days, traditional clothing signifies which ethnic group one belongs to, and can indicate one's gender, class, religion, and region. For instance, city and rural dwellers in Nigeria can easily distinguish Eastern Nigerian ways of dressing from Northern Nigerian or Western Nigerian ways. This is because the different lifestyles call for different clothing styles.

Fashion in Today’s Nigeria has changed everything. An Igbo man today wears agbada, a well known Yoruba attire, to ceremonies. Even our politicians wear clothes belonging to different culture, to pass across the message that we are one Nigeria. People care less of dressing according to their culture. You can hardly know people’s ethnic group unless you move close to them to ask or to detect from their accent.

Nigerian magazines such as Flair West Africa (formerly called True Love Magazine), Genevieve, TW and Arise, and websites such as Stylehousefiles.com, Bellanaija.com, Ladybrille.com, Fashionafrica.com, Shopliquorice..com, among many, showcase and promote Today’s Nigerian fashion.

One of the good that Fashion in Today’s Nigeria has done to the country is improving the Nigerian economy by creating jobs and opportunities, and producing female entrepreneurs, which was scarce for years. Of course, Fashion in Today’s Nigeria is not without its challenges; however this will require another full article considering its importance and length.

I am sure this article has gone a long way to opening your eyes and adding to your knowledge on how the fashion industry got to the point where it is. And for startups, I hope it has been of great help thus far. Do drop your comment right below in the comment box, and feel free to ask questions if you have any, and will attend to it as soon as possible.

Source: http://www.ifeomandidi.com