Nothing says glitz and glamour (with a sprinkle of chaos too) like the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) red carpet.
With the 2023 edition of the awards set to take place today [20th May], we’re looking back at some of the fashion moments that took our breaths away, since it first premiered in March, 2013.
Genevieve Nnaji (2013)
This Bridget Awosika piece caused quite a scandal when Genevieve wore it to the maiden edition of the AMVCAs back in 2013. Making a massive statement on the red carpet that night, your favourite actress’ favourite actress looked every bit like the movie star that she is. This was a major fashion moment for Genny.
Somkele Iyamah (2017)
Somkele Iyamah was and still is a fashion girly. No one wears her sister, Andrea Iyamah’s eponymous line like Somkele does. The colour, the cut, her hair, everything works out with this look. Somkele not only won the trailblazer award that night, she also won on the red carpet.
Denola Grey (2022)
Denola Grey walked away as the best dressed male star in 2022 and he absolutely deserved it. You know who also deserved an award for serving cunt in a way that pleases the lord while wearing a suit that looks like it’s falling apart?
Yes, Denola again, for this look from 2020.
Nana Akua Addo (2020)
We can’t talk about iconic AMVCA fashion moments without talking about Nana Akua Addo in Gaurav Gupta back in 2020. We can argue about Ghanaian and Nigerian jollof from now till tomorrow, but no one can argue about this look. Nana represented the Gold Coast and left everyone gagging.
Erica Nlwedim (2022)
How many yards did Erica’s designer use to make this dress? I’m not saying it’s voluminous, but fabric o poor. This is Erica’s best AMVCA look yet, and one of our favourite AMVCA looks of all time.
Toni Tones (2018)
Toni Tones has always been a badass and this dramatic, high-slit take on a fairytale ball gown is exactly what we’d expect a badass to wear to the AMVCAs. She’s that girl for real.
Nancy Isime (2022)
Like the kids on Twitter say, this look is “urethral”. Nancy Isime served so hard at the AMVCA that night, we didn’t even have to eat physical food to be satisfied. This is how you shut down an award show. Take note, everyone.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (2018)
Whether he’s trying to upstage a groom in a burgundy agbada or cosplaying as Angel Gabriel in all white, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will always be a man after our heart. This look might look simple and boring, but not every man can pull off an all white suit with the level of finesse Ebuka displayed in 2018.
Adesua Etomi (2022)
It’s giving a phoenix rising from the ashes. It’s giving Katnis Everden promo tour. It’s giving fashion it-girl. Adesua Etomi, the woman that you are? Big slay.
Eku Edewor (2013)
The first edition of the AMVCAs had more misses than hits on the red carpet. However, one star has been owning the red carpet at Eko Hotels since they first rolled them out in 2013. Eku Edewor is on every fashion girl’s mood board because she truly understands timeless fashion. I mean, this Clan dress and bob from 2013 looks like it was worn yesterday. There’s a high bar in Nigerian fashion, and then there’s Eku Edewor.
ALSO READ: What Were They Thinking? We Rank the Most Chaotic AMVCA Looks
Bonang Matheba (2022)
Bonang ma pi now. We can’t tell if this is pink or peach, but either way we’re here for it.
Sola Sobowale (2020)
Not to sound like one of those women who coordinated the cutting of cakes at weddings back in the day, but I hope we all know purple is the colour of royalty? A fitting look for the real king of boys.
Tope Tedela (2022)
A Nigerian man that’s not a designer or influencer taking fashion risks? Inject it, please. Tope Tedela looks incredible here. This shade of green and fabric choice all work really well to earn the actor a spot on this list of our all time faves.
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Osas Ighodaro (2022)
Look at the material. How can you look at this and not want to crown Osas best in fashion? We could do without the train, but overall, this is a look that had everyone shook in 2022.
Rita Dominic (2018)
She is an icon. She is a legend. And she’ll always be the moment. What would the AMVCA red carpet look like without Rita Dominic? Boring, for sure.
Idia Aisien (2020)
Something about this outfit on Idia Aisien reminds us of Kim Kardashian and that’s a good thing in our book. Face is a ten. Body is a ten. Outfit is a ten. What else do you want? Like Beyoncé in Heated said, “Ten. Ten. Ten, across the board”.
Sika Osei (2022)
The detailing on this dress made me fall to my knees in the middle of the road screaming. What? The corset arrangement and sheer illusion here is so intricate it looks like art. Come on, Picasso.
KieKie (2022)
This orange on her skin, the dramatic sleeves and don’t get us started on the “show me your stomach” cut out. KieKie ate and left no crumbs in sight.
Adebayo Oke Lawal
Classic man in mustard? We love to see it.
Ini Dima Okojie (2020)
I love this Mazelle dress, but I’m here for the tower of Babel hair. Why bother about winning an award when you have one on your head?
Uti Nwachukwu (2022)
The days of men doing the bare minimum on the red carpet is over. Ditch the overplayed black tux or those overly velvet suits that look like rugs and give me something colourful and bold like Uti Nwachukwu.
ALSO READ: 20 of the Best, Mid and Worst Looks From the 2023 MET Gala