Amaka

Amaka in South-eastern Nigeria means beautiful and it's one of the most widely used names for the girl child. This project focuses on reimagining the beauty and fashion sense that has transcended the recent generations of women in southern Nigeria.

After going through some old photos of my mum when I visited my family home in 2021, I was intrigued by the display of beauty and fashion that was commonplace among young adults in the early days of post-independence Nigeria. I got very inspired to the point of seeking to know what changed in our desire to express flamboyance in every aspect of our regalia.

I found that this fashion trend, which was mostly a fusion of western inspired accessories like shoes and hand-bags with our handmade textiles and jewelleries has undergone several modifications over time and has birthed sub-genres that are still seen today.

This project, which spans from conception in 2021 to the final production in early 2023 dives into the entire fabric of what was known to be fashionable in most parts of southern Nigeria. This includes the igbo speaking south-eastern Nigeria, some parts of the south-west that's predominantly Yoruba, and the Niger-delta south-south Nigeria. From the native hair styles to the exquisite adornment of jewellery, to the ardent display of colourful fabrics.

The Aso-oke which is from the Yoruba culture, is one of the notable fashion pieces that I chose to incorporate across this project because of it's standout presence and significance as a staple accessory for celebration and festivals. Other fashion styles like the Buba, gele, akwa-ochie are also used.

This Project hopes to reimagine and give valid insights into the creativity of the feminine fashion that was paramount in those days thus leaving a nostalgic feeling to the viewer.