They did not meet the dress code requirements. They should have looked within instead of without
Well, the 2025 Met Gala was an avenue for Nigerian celebrities to put the prowess of indigenous fashion designers and stylists on the global fashion carpet. But unfortunately, they failed to represent the creativity and talent most Nigerian fashion designers have worked on over the years.
It was an avenue for the popular misconception that Nigerian fashion designers can only sew aso-ebi looks to be addressed. Celebrities in attendance had the opportunity to work with stylists and brands who wanted to work with them- the celebrities had the sole right to choose whoever styled them.
When the guests’ list was out, it was time for celebrities to reach out to the indigenous fashion designers to curate a look for them. In another way, indigenous fashion designers and stylists who have made quite a name for themselves could have reached out to these celebrities to curate their looks for the 2025 Met Gala. It is quite disappointing to see fashion designers settle for less- just styling looks for owanbe parties and AMVCA.
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I was expecting to see Star Girl stun folks on the red carpet, still embodying dandyism, but her look was a polished eyesore. Burna Boy burned his look in not a very good way. Tems, no offense, made Ankara look monotonous and boring. Swank Jerry looked a bit dandy in Deji and Kola, fully repping us well. Then Chimamanda Adichie was well dressed at the Met Gala, co-chair, but did not stick to the theme. Well, she calls the shots, so no problem.
Nigerian-based fashion designers who would have styled and dressed the Nigerian Met Gala attendees better
This list is fully unbiased, and the designers on this list are here because of their fashion reputation over the years. Also, they are handpicked for the theme of the Met Gala 2025 event.
Ugo Monye
Why didn’t Burna Boy see Ugo Monye for his look? He would have styled him better, aligning cultural fusion and black dandyism to create a Met Gala red carpet-worthy look. Ugo Monye’s work was featured during the London Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week.
This brand has got all the skills the curate a look for both male and female looks.
2. Tubo
Tubo’s skills intertwine from bridal looks to dapper outfits and bespoke looks. She has quite a mastery in crafting a silhouette, appreciating looks that would have come in handy in creating a jaw-dropping look. Her masterpiece for popular beauty influencer, Shalom Black, for her wedding look bore in unison some of the looks at the Met Gala- a graceful crop jacket accentuating a properly carved waist in an appreciating waist.
3. Deji and Kola
When I was writing this, I stumbled at the look Deji and Kola made for Juma Jux made for his God’s design, musical video, and I can say is ‘a perfect craft’. There are great cloth makers in this country as well as stylists. Deji and Kola are responsible for quite a handful of popular fashion influencers, Deji and Kola’s.
Although Deji and Kola were responsible for Swanky Jerry’s look for the Met Gala, I believe he could have been responsible for more.
4. Couture by Tabik
If you have been reading my fashion pieces for a while, you will discover I have quite an affinity for Couture by Tabik. Why? Because of what they do with aso-oke pieces! I do not doubt Couture by Tabik’s prowess to create a dandy piece with aso-oke pieces for a Met Gala guest. But the brand has also created beautiful pieces outside the use of aso-oke.
5. Woven Market Africa
This fashion brand makes woven pieces. But they shared insight on how they would have styled celebrities for the Met Gala’s theme, and their inspiration was quite exceptional.
