Meet the top 16 contestants for the Style Magnate N100m prize

Style Magnate, Showmax Original and Nigeria’s first fashion reality TV show continues to capture the continent's attention, drawing fashion enthusiasts from all corners of Africa to witness the birth of the next style icon. 

The show, which started with 20 contestants, has seen four contestants evicted with only 16 contestants now in the race for the show’s ultimate prize,. Each of these remaining designers brings a unique blend of innovation, creativity, and cultural expression to the competition.

The fashion competition, which has been a spectacle of creativity, innovation, and artistic prowess, has seen the creation of pieces from couture to trendy streetwear and sustainable fashion.These designers are redefining the fashion landscape, all vying for the coveted title of Style Magnate with N100 million in prizes.

Watch the trailer for Style Magnate

Hosted by the charismatic TV personality and former host of MTN Project Fame, Joseph Benjamin and guided by fashion experts Mai Atafo and Yolanda Okereke, Style Magnate promises high drama, challenging tasks, and an exploration of the evolving world of African fashion.

Let’s meet the top 16 contestants who are set to impress the judges and captivate audiences across the continent.

1. Korede James – Nigeria

Brand Name: Korede James
Style: Artsy

Korede James, also known as "Mr Avant Garde," brings an innovative fusion of art and fashion to the table. With a passion for blending traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, his designs blur the lines between fashion and sculpture. Drawing inspiration from nature and the human body, Korede’s work reimagines fashion as a form of storytelling, with fluid silhouettes and intricate textures. His avant-garde collections are not only visually captivating but also spark conversations around sustainability and the future of fashion. At just 13 years old, he began exploring the fashion world, and now, he’s on the brink of revolutionising it.

2. Rosirang Zondi – South Africa

Brand Name: Vile Beauty
Style: Trendy

South African designer Rosirang Zondi is the mastermind behind Vile Beauty, a streetwear brand that celebrates individuality and self-expression. With a diploma in fashion design from Tshwane University of Technology and winning the award for the most commercial collection in 2022, Rosirang’s expertise in pattern drafting and technical drawing is unmatched. His brand focuses on denim and embraces flaws to create beauty, drawing inspiration from his Christian faith, basketball, and motorcycles. His designs are a perfect blend of urban edge and sophistication, combining global streetwear trends with African heritage to create bold, eye-catching looks.

3. Esther Okonta – Nigeria

Brand Name: Estaz Clothing
Style: Couture

Esther Okonta, the creative genius behind Estaz Clothing, seamlessly merges luxury with eco-consciousness. A student of Petroleum Engineering by day and a fashion designer by passion, Esther specialises in bridal couture and bespoke designs that empower women to feel confident while being mindful of sustainability. Her collections, often inspired by art and travel, strike a perfect balance between traditional motifs and modern silhouettes. Esther envisions a future where her designs grace global runways, turning heads while making a positive environmental impact.

4. Lazarus Adams – Nigeria

Brand Name: Royal Style
Style: Couture

Lazarus Adams, a creative powerhouse from Jos, Nigeria, explores the world of fashion with a cinematic touch through his brand Royal Style. Merging his love for film with fashion, Lazarus designs couture pieces that are elegant, timeless, and bold. His collections celebrate individuality and the belief that looking good is a heritage to be cherished. With an eye for detail, Lazarus is  bringing royal elegance to the Style Magnate stage, making him one to watch for lovers of luxurious fashion.

5. Zuweirat Bello – Nigeria

Brand Name: Zuwbi
Style: Couture

Architect-turned-designer Zuweirat Bello is the founder of Zuwbi, a modest fashion brand that champions sustainability. With degrees in Architecture from Ahmadu Bello University, Zuweirat incorporates the precision of design into her slow-fashion collections. Her pieces are thoughtfully created to empower women through modest yet stylish couture that embodies elegance and ethical production. Zuweirat’s approach to fashion transcends trends, offering timeless, eco-conscious designs that celebrate the beauty of everyday life.

6. Oyindamola Olatunji – Nigeria

Brand Name: Asiko by Dunni
Style: Couture & Ready-to-Wear

Oyindamola Olatunji’s Asiko by Dunni blends tradition with contemporary fashion, creating unique unisex designs rooted in Afrocentric aesthetics. Starting her fashion journey at the age of eight, Oyindamola has since styled influencers and personalities with her timeless, versatile pieces. Her fashion narrative is built on the foundation of culture and modernity, ensuring her designs are relevant and wearable across different demographics. From bespoke couture to accessible ready-to-wear collections, Oyindamola knows how to make fashion both personal and global, especially with her signature Asoke.

7. Opeoluwa Olasupo – Nigeria

Brand Name: House of Gigat
Style: Couture

Opeoluwa Olasupo, the creative director behind House of Gigat, left his medical career to pursue a passion for fashion. Known for his ability to merge art, nature, and culture, Opeoluwa’s couture collections empower women with bold, sophisticated designs. His brand champions African fabrics and tailoring techniques, pushing boundaries and setting trends that cater to the empowered woman. With aspirations to take House of Gigat global, Opeoluwa is on a mission to make his name synonymous with luxury and red carpet-worthy designs.

8. Sildek Asev – Nigeria

Brand Name: Sildek Style City (SSC)
Style: Couture

Sildek Asev, the founder of Sildek Style City, blends classic and modern couture with a distinct androgynous flair. Hailing from Benue state, Nigeria, Sildek uses fashion to celebrate African heritage, incorporating sustainable production methods and supporting local artisans. His brand’s ethos revolves around creating unique designs that tell stories of Africa’s past while looking towards the future. His couture pieces are an ode to the timelessness of African culture, reimagined for the contemporary fashionista.

9. Peace Olamide Ayegbidun – Nigeria

Brand Name: Fashion Spire
Style: Couture

Peace Olamide Ayegbidun, a former beauty queen and second runner-up in Miss Universe Nigeria, channels her passion for empowerment through her brand Fashion Spire. Creating bespoke and bridal couture, Peace’s designs are bold, feminine, and meticulously crafted to inspire confidence. Her work draws heavily on Nigerian heritage while incorporating global fashion trends, creating garments that resonate with women who want to feel powerful and elegant. Fashion Spire is a celebration of individuality, strength, and timeless style.

10. Zinat Agboola – Nigeria

Brand Name: Zeesors Couturier
Style: Trendy

Zinat Agboola is a name synonymous with chic and stylish designs. As the founder of Zeesors Couturier, she creates custom designs for weddings and films, catering to the modern individual who wants to make a bold statement. Zinat’s brand, which has graced the African Fashion Week Nigeria, is known for its trendy, youthful appeal. With a focus on mentoring the next generation of designers, Zinat is on a mission to shape the future of African fashion through her academy.

11. Itunu Bamidele – Nigeria

Brand Name: Africcana
Style: Trendy

From Nollywood to fashion design, Itunu Bamidele’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. As the creative director of Africcana, Itunu brings youthful energy and modern trends to the forefront of African fashion. Her designs, featured in films like Bling Lagosians, have garnered international attention, and her foundation empowers women through fashion. Itunu’s trendy, fashion-forward collections are for the young at heart, offering a vibrant take on African fashion with global appeal.

12. Mariam Abiola Owolewa – Nigeria

Brand Name: Wearyen
Style: Couture

Mariam Abiola, the mastermind behind Wearyen, is a trailblazer in sustainable fashion. Her use of recycled materials and bold patterns set her apart in the couture world, blending creativity with eco-consciousness. Mariam’s collections highlight individuality and sustainable living, offering a refreshing take on couture that resonates with environmentally aware fashionistas. Her work pushes the boundaries of what couture can be, making her a rising star in the African fashion scene.

13. Eta Kijie Lucy – Nigeria

Brand Name: Kijna Fashion House
Style: Modest Fashion

Eta Kijie Lucy’s Kijna Fashion House is redefining modest fashion with elegance and class. Since its launch in 2020, Kijna has delivered timeless, sophisticated designs that empower modern women to embrace grace and confidence. With a focus on customer satisfaction, Eta’s designs blend modesty with trend-setting aesthetics, making them perfect for women who want to feel fashionable while maintaining a sense of tradition and poise.

14. Aisha Nana Audu – Nigeria

Brand Name: Vogue Temple Lagos
Style: Futuristic Modest Fashion

Aisha Nana Audu brings a unique fusion of futurism and modest fashion to the table with her brand Vogue Temple Lagos. Combining her background in journalism and human resources with her passion for fashion, Nana’s designs are both innovative and empowering. Her collections celebrate the modern woman’s need for sophistication, grace, and style, with an emphasis on sleek, futuristic cuts that redefine modesty in the contemporary world.

15. Mercy Oluyemi – Nigeria

Brand Name: Kempire
Style: Couture

Mercy Oluyemi, the creative force behind Kempire, is known for her bold, daring designs that push the envelope of couture. Her collections, often featuring dramatic cuts and vibrant colours, are designed to make women feel empowered and confident. With a strong focus on sustainability, Mercy’s work challenges traditional notions of couture, offering fashion-forward designs that are both ethical and visually striking.

16. Phillip Uzuazomaro (Nigeria) 

Brand: Yanga Tribe
Style: Afro-futuristic Streetwear

Phillip Uzuazomaro is the brains behind Yanga Tribe, a streetwear brand that reimagines African heritage through an afro-futuristic lens. His designs are bold, vibrant, and deeply rooted in African culture, making him one of the most unique voices in the competition. Phillip’s goal is to bridge the gap between traditional African fashion and global streetwear trends, creating pieces that are as comfortable as they are meaningful.

These trailblazers represent the future of African fashion, pushing the boundaries of creativity while staying rooted in their cultural heritage. Whether it’s couture, streetwear, or sustainable fashion, the contestants of Style Magnate are set to dazzle and inspire on their journey to the top. Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable season filled with jaw-dropping designs and fierce competition on Showmax!

You can stream new episodes of Style Magnate on Showmax every Friday.