Style Magnate is now streaming on Showmax

Style Magnate, the first-ever Showmax Nigeria Original fashion reality series, is now streaming, with new episodes every Friday. 

Executive producer Abisola Omolade discusses her vision for the show, which empowers emerging designers and highlights African fashion on a global stage. 

Watch the trailer for Style Magnate

In this interview, she shares insights on her inspiration, the selection process, and the show’s impact on Nigeria’s fashion landscape.

What inspired the creation of Style Magnate, and how did you conceptualise the show as a platform for emerging Nigerian fashion designers?

The inspiration behind Style Magnate for me stems from my background in fashion. Growing up, my mother owned a fashion house, and my siblings and I were encouraged to explore our creativity in fashion. As the most stylish member of my family, I realised that fashion is a multifaceted process and that’s why Style Magnate is here to create individual fashion icons and creators who master the art of fashion right from the conception of design to creating a beautiful masterpiece.

What sets Style Magnate apart from other fashion shows?

Style Magnate stands out from others because this is homegrown, it is an indigenous concept and it speaks a universal language that evokes emotions and connects people. Style Magnate fosters African fashion talent by promoting cultural exchange and understanding.

What was the selection process like for choosing the 20 contestants, and what specific qualities were you looking for in the participants?

To find the most passionate and talented fashion enthusiasts, we implemented a rigorous selection process, which was the use of an online jury and six selection criteria. We advertised the contest through different social media platforms and we received entries from all over the world, including China, India, Ukraine and many other countries.

We were on the lookout for passionate individuals who live and breathe fashion, and not just hobbyists. All applicants were evaluated based on their adherence to application guidelines, fashion inspiration, vision, ambition, and their global perspective on fashion.

From numerous entries, we carefully selected the top 20 contestants who best embodied these qualities to discover who would become the Style Magnate.

What were some of the challenges you faced in producing a show of this scale?

Creating something legendary and life-changing comes with obstacles. Style Magnate’s goal is to empower talented fashion designers to leave a lasting legacy. Blending creativity and competition, the show brought together 20 diverse fashion designers, each with unique styles and preferences, which led to clashes of ideas and team-building challenges.

However, as the show progressed, the contestants found common ground, which helped improve their teamwork and brought out the best in them individually.

In your opinion, how can shows like Style Magnate help put Nigerian fashion on the global stage?

With its diverse reach and international appeal, Style Magnate has already become a global show. Although filmed in Nigeria, we’ve tapped into different continents through fashion, so the show’s impact extends beyond borders. Style Magnate will showcase Nigerian fashion talent worldwide, providing a platform for international fashion designers to compete, which will in turn foster global recognition and collaboration.

As we progress, we aim to establish Style Magnate as a premier global fashion competition to shine a light on Nigeria in the global fashion industry.

How do you envision Style Magnate contributing to the growth of the Nigerian fashion industry, especially for emerging designers?

Style Magnate will empower emerging designers by providing a platform for them to shine and foster collaborations within them. The show will unveil fresh and untapped talents, which will give them room for innovation and entrepreneurship by also boosting their confidence and simultaneously putting Nigeria on a global map.

It will also serve as an avenue for existing and new fashion designers to collaborate and create breathtaking designs, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.

Can you tell us about the behind-the-scenes efforts, including the teams involved in bringing this show to life?

As the executive producer and creative lead, I am mostly grateful to God and the ‘A team’ who brought it to life. I want to express my deepest gratitude to every individual involved in making Style Magnate a reality. From the directors to the producers, art team, creative team, lighting team, camera team, sound team, and the cleaners – each person played a vital role. I appreciate everyone for their tireless efforts.

Creating a show of this magnitude was no easy feat. We faced numerous challenges, but our dedication and commitment carried us through as we all gave 100%. Thank you to everyone and God bless you!

What does fashion and style mean to you?

To me, fashion and style mean convenience, comfort, fluidity, accessibility and breathability. With fashion, one should be able to express themselves authentically, be beautiful and bold and make a lasting impression wherever and whenever.

Stream Style Magnate now on Showmax and join the conversation on social media using #StyleMagnateShowmax.