Lagos, Nigeria – As the highly anticipated Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) approach, fashion enthusiasts and industry professionals are gearing up for a night of glitz and glamour on the red carpet. Known for their fusion of African culture and fashion, the AMVCAs provide a platform for African designers to showcase their creations and for celebrities to display their personal style.
The AMVCAs have always been a celebration of fashion, and this year will be no different. With celebrities and industry insiders attending the event, the red carpet will be a showcase of elegant outfits and trendy looks. Media coverage of the event is expected to be dominated by discussions on fashion trends and the outfits worn by the attendees.
One of the highlights of the AMVCAs is the fashion runway show, which further emphasises fashion and style. The runway show allows designers to exhibit their latest collections and captivate the audience with their creative designs. It is a moment where fashion takes centre stage, and the attendees get to witness the diversity and talent of African designers.
In addition to the red carpet and the runway show, the AMVCAs also feature awards for the best-dressed male and female attendees. These awards recognise individuals who have made exceptional fashion choices and have left a lasting impression with their outfits. Last year, Denola Grey and Osas Ighodaro emerged as the winners of the Best Dressed awards, solidifying their status as style icons.
The presence of fashion at the AMVCAs has fostered collaboration between the film and fashion industries. Designers and stylists work closely with actors and actresses to create memorable and impactful looks that complement the characters and storylines. This collaboration has strengthened the ties between these two creative fields and opened up new opportunities for designers to showcase their talents on the big screen.
In recognition of the vital role costume designers play in African productions, the AMVCAs have a dedicated award category, the “Best Costume Designer Award.” This award acknowledges the creative and technical contributions of costume designers and celebrates their artistic excellence, cultural representation, creativity, innovation, collaboration, and ability to inspire future talent.
This year’s nominees for the Best Costume Designer Movie/TV Series category are:
- Millicent Jack for “Four Four Forty Four;”
- Ezugworie Franca for “Brotherhood;”
- Bolanle Austen-Peters, Clement Effanga, and Juliana Dede for “Man of God;”
- Toyin Ogundeji for “Anikulapo;”
- Adeola Art-Alade for “The Real Housewives of Lagos;”
- Bunmi Fashina, Tiannah Empire and Secrets of April for “Shanty Town;” and
- Kingsley Okoye Rex for “Nnewi, The Land of Gold.”
Looking at past winners of the Best Costume Designer Award, it becomes evident that the jury often favours period pieces or movies with strong fantasy elements. The choice typically comes down to history versus fantasy when it comes to costume design prizes at the AMVCAs.
This year, Adeola Art-Alade for “The Real Housewives of Lagos” is the clear favourite. The show, which revolves around the lives of six influential women in Lagos, is fashion-focused and filled with statement pieces. However, it may be challenging for “Brotherhood” or “Shanty Town” to win in the contemporary setting category, as their costumes need to seamlessly blend into our familiar world.
Costume design goes beyond aesthetics; it also reflects the inner workings of the characters. Just as in everyday life, our clothes express who we are and provide a means of self-expression. The costume designer’s role is to convey character information through clothing choices, adding depth and authenticity to the on-screen portrayal.
As the award night for the 9th AMVCA draws near on May 20, 2023, the excitement is palpable. The outcome of the Best Costume Designer Award remains uncertain, and all the nominees are deserving of recognition for their outstanding work. It is hoped that the jury will award the designer who made the most thoughtful choices that weren’t relegated to one major character and whose designs actually conveyed considerable character information across the film.
For live updates on the winners and to catch all the fashion highlights from the event, stay tuned to Nollywire. The full list of this year’s nominees can be found on Nollywire.com, where fans can also join in the anticipation and share their thoughts on the fashion and style of the 9th AMVCA.
