Best Dressed List – Overall

In alphabetical order – these are the names we think raised the bar style-wise in 2019!

The New Classics

1. Abisola Kola-Daisi
2. Adut Akech Bior
3. Asanda Sizani
4. Ayanda Thabethe
5. Chukie ‘LYNXX’ Edozien
6. Eku Edewor
7. Fisayo Longe
8. Issa Rae
9. John Boyega
10. Kofi Siriboe
11. Lupita Nyongo’o
12. Mai Atafo
13. Maria Borges
14. Maps Maponyane
15. Mawuli Gavor
16. Mo Abudu
17. Richard Mofe- Damijo
18. Sam Adegoke 
19. Seth Shezi
20. Veronica Odeka

The Mavericks

1. Adebayo Oke-Lawal
2. Adekunle Gold 
3. Alexander Julian
4. Damini ‘ Burna Boy’ Ogulu
5. Denola Adepetun
6. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
7. Jidenna
8. Lisa Folawiyo
9. Mobolaji Dawodu
10. Ogo Offodile
11. Reni Folawiyo
12. Trevor Stuurman
13. WuRlD
14. Yasmin Furmie

The Bombshells

1. Idia Aisien
2. Ini Dima-Okojie
3. Latasha Ngwube
4. Lerato Kganyago
5. Mimi Onalaja
6. OG Okonkwo
7. Rita Dominic
8. Shaffy Bello
9. Sharon Ooja
10. Tiwa Savage
11. Toke Makinwa
12. Toni Tones

The Minimalists

1. Bidemi Zakariyau
2. Dumebi ‘Andrea’ Iyamah
3. Kefilwe Mabote
4. Lerato Kgamanyane
5. Nana Agyemang
6. Shelley Mokoena
7. Temi Otedola
8. Yoliswa Moleboheng Mqoco

The Maximalists

1. Anok Yai
2. Ayo ‘Wizkid’ Balogun
3. Bonang Matheba
4. Didi Olomide
5. Jennifer Oseh
6. Juliette Foxx 
7. Nana Akua Addo
8. Noble Igwe
9. Ozinna Anumudu
10. Rich Mnisi

What do you think of our list? Did your fave make the cut?  Let us know in the comments!

As fashion people the world over bemoan the death of personal style, and the formulaic way people dress (Thanks Instagram!) it has become even more difficult to ascertain men and women with that ‘je ne sais quoi’. Fashion is more democratic than ever, and social media has made sure trends basically never die. It is becoming more and more gender neutral, traditional dress codes for work, play and everything in between also means fashion for the truly stylish has become even more experimental and exciting.

To identify honourees for yet another hotly debated best dressed list we tapped fashionistas from across the continent, the diaspora and our final list spans well loved It-girls, creative and corporate types as well as  fashion business moguls. We plumbed the depths from emerging fashionistas we think our audience should discover, to established figures all around the globe. They all feature varying aesthetics but with one unifying factor  – they consistently create eye-catching looks.

We hope this year’s list of exceptional honorees inspires you to be sartorially fearless in 2020!

Dive into our list of the top fashion trendsetters and style stars with our annual best-dressed list, featuring celebrities, influencers, and many more.

Mawuli Gavor

Lives: Lagos Nigeria
Works: Mnet
Trend you’ll never catch me wearing: Tough. FishNet tank tops probably.
Top trend of 2019: Patterned suits

Veronica Odeka

Lives: In lagos
Works: Globally as a luxury brand specialist and creative consultant in retail and fashion.
Trend you’ll never catch me wearing: Biker shorts
Top trend of 2019: the return of the minis (especially minibags)

Alexander Julian Gibbson

Trend You Hate: All Trends—Style isn’t dictated by what’s hot and new, but I particularly despise label junkies.

Most Valuable Item You Own: All my boots, especially the Margiela + Orange Culture ones.

Favourite Designers: Haider Ackermann, Emmy Kasbit, and Kim Jones.

Style Mantra: Style is innate. In its rawest form it transgresses all language, political and cultural barriers.

Trend You Hate: Hate is a strong word haha but excessively oversized jerseys on men – I don’t get it.

Most Expensive Item You Own: Most valuable clothing item I own is the first Orange Culture blazer I ever made! It reminds me of where I started.

Favourite Designers: Orange Culture , Orange Culture and Orange Culture lol . I love to wear Emmy Kasbit , the ruiin, Tzar studios , Marni, Kenzo.

Brands I adore – Lisa Folawiyo, Gozel green, Tokyo james , Kenneth Ize and many more Nigerian brands!

Style Mantra: Be liberated!

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu

Trend You Hate: Cravats

Most Expensive Item You Own: My coral wrist beads. Besides my love for culture and having a traditional Igbo title, I have a huge sentimental attachment to them.

Favourite Designers: Mai Atafo, Alexander McQueen, Ugo Monye, Deco D29, Balmain

Style Mantra: Wear it with confidence

Fisayo Longe

Sharon Ooja Egwurube

Trends I Love: I love clashing prints, statement sleeves, Biker shorts, Long slits, Crop tops
Designers I love: Somoby somo, Style temple, Andrea Iyamah, Lanre DaSilva Ajayi, Sevon dejana, Tubo, Fablanebyderin
My style mantra: Wear what you are comfortable in the world will adjust
My style icons: Kim kardashian, Blake lively, Zendaya, Me lol

Shelley Mokoena

Lives: Johannesburg, South Africa
Works: Content creator, Fashion and Interior designer
Feel most beautiful wearing: Anything that looks effortless and bold simultaneously and all white.
Top trend of 2019: micro bags, bucket hats, western boots and leather on leather.

Ozinna Anumudu

Lives: Lagos, Nigeria
Works: TSC Agency
Style Pet Peeve: being a “scruffy” dresser
Wardrobe Must Have: White Shirt – always the beginning of a stylish ‘fit

Noble Igwe

Lives: live in Lagos but my heart is housed in Umuomaku.
Works: I’m a serial entrepreneur with interest in music, fashion, lifestyle and travel.
Style Pet Peeve: metal against concrete
Wardrobe Must Have: Sneakers

What do you think of our list? Did your fave make the cut?  Let us know in the comments!