Mudi: A Designer with the Masters Stroke
Since tastes are not comparable, it is very hard to decide who the best in Nigeria’s fashion world is. But taking a cursory look at the rather small space of designers true to type and calling in the luxury fold, one name resonates speedily, Mudi – one of Nigeria’s most iconic and successful names in fashion.
For him, luxury must be comfortable; otherwise, it is not luxury. He’s one interesting and creative African designer with Nigerian roots who has conquered hearts, pockets and his place in the fashion world. No wonder he’s the darling of the celebrity world. He has endorsements from top names like Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ali Baba, Okey Bakkasi, Ramsey Nouah, Kolo Toure, Yussou Ndou of Senegal, Salif Keita of Mali, and KKD of Ghana in the long list of those who have endorsed the company’s collection of clothes.
Mudi’s sensual, bold style continually challenges stereotypical masculinity, ignoring traditional gender roles by embracing the freedom of sexuality. His style is known to challenge standard views of fashion. Although he wasn’t born in an aristocratic family, his life has mirrored the popular saying, “there is dignity in labour” and “not forgetting the days of little beginnings”.
Little wonder Mudiaga’s is a testament to hard work, dignity of labour and street sense. From his humble days at Adebakin in Ikosi Ketu as a dressmaker’s assistant to his world class factory, showroom and Headquarters in Anthony village, Lagos, his works emphasise structure and purity of form. Known to many as the pinnacle of luxury and craftsmanship, Mudi uses the most ingenious fabrics and rigorous tailoring techniques to painstakingly construct and envelope the manly form with flourish of couture. Intuition is a strong masculine quality and Mudi has applied that instinct to his career. For this reason and more, he directs his devotion and talent for fantasy and theatrics to create true design spectacles with unexpected mixes of colours and patterns.