In 2013, Godson Ukaegbu was announced as the Editor-In-Chief of StyleMania Magazine seconded by publisher Kelechi Amadi-Obi. He took the reins from Dimeji Alara who is now ELLE South Africa‘s Editor-In-Chief. Since then Godson’s immense contributions to the Nigerian fashion scene cannot be overemphasized including very educative workshops on styling and the business of fashion.
In anticipation of the release of his new book titled “Process – A Retrospective of Fashion Editorials in Mania.”, he shared the inspiration behind it on his Instagram:
Sometime last year I was summoned to a meeting by Mrs. Bola Balogun @bbalogun. The central theme of this meeting was to reiterate how good my work is and why it is important that I show up often at social gatherings, to build my personal brand and to engage with people beyond my sphere of influence. She says it is important for the culture and for the fashion industry because those who don’t know what they are doing often get exalted and the younger generation see them as role models. “You need to come out”, she emphasised.
Uche Pedro @uchepedro founder of Bellanaija walks into that meeting and said a few words that I kept to heart. “Godson, you are just like me but I am learning to be out there too. I know you don’t think you have achieved anything because of the dreams in your mind but I am learning to share my journey as I go along. Godson, please share your journey. It is important”. Now this is what inspired this book. I am just trying to share my journey. God bless @bbalogun & @uchepedro for being quiet gatekeepers and encouragers in this journey. I am grateful.
The book talks about what inspired some of the best editorials in StyleMania magazine. The thought process, the rigours and the victories. Inside four distinguished photographers TY Bello, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Uche James Iroha and Yetunde Ayeni Babaeko write about working with Godson on different projects for the publication. The book’s foreword was written by Dimeji Alara and is available for sale at three thousand naira.