RED CARPET HITS & MISSES
@ AMVCA 2022
While there is no shortage of institutions and bodies dedicated to honouring artistic excellence, every film industry has that one event of exceptionally high repute that people both in the industry and outside of it look forward to. In America, it’s the Oscars. In Britain, the BAFTAs. And in Nigeria, it’s the AMVCAs (the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards), which has grown since its inception in 2013 to become the most anticipated event in the Nollywood calendar. Taking place for the first-time post-pandemic and just two weeks after The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Met Gala was held in New York City, personalities from across the Nigerian entertainment scene were well-prepared to show off their most venturous and most versatile vêtements.
However, the AMVCAs, unlike the Met Gala, does not have a distinct theme intended to guide the attire of its attendees beyond the general ‘black tie’ dress code. On the one hand, this can be seen as a good thing, removing all limitations caused by periodic dress codes like ‘Gilded Glamour’ or locational themes such as ‘China: Through the Looking Glass. However, leaving room for such unbridled creativity also grants guests the opportunity to run completely wild, for better or for worse (and often, for worse).
Of course, this year’s AMVCA carpet was a corset cornucopia, with stylists employing eclectic mixes of diamonds, pearls, ruffles, feathers, laces, silks and velvets to bring an element of surprise to each look. I, myself, wore a custom black and gold kaftan by JZO, inspired by André Leon Talley’s 1999 Met Gala look and several of his signature silhouettes.
‘Royalty’ was perhaps the unofficial theme of the night, with James Brown discarding subtlety altogether in a golden Elizabethan gown, marking her prestige with an exaggerated collar, lacy ruffles and a makeshift baroque crown. Meanwhile, Denrele illuminated the carpet in a fully-functioning chandelier frock, likely inspired by Katy Perry’s 2019 Met Gala dress.
Celebrity stylist Toyin Lawani, who was also the creative force behind James Brown’s Elizabethan look, shocked viewers when she appeared on stage in a diaphanous, inky gown and sultry corset, covering her midriff with her very own pièce de résistance - a sculpted bullhead with hyperbolised horns.
All in all, the AMVCAs saw a wide array of attention-grabbing ensembles, but as you know, it takes a lot more than shock value to land on my best-dressed list. So, without further ado, here are my top picks for the best, and worst, of the 2022 AMVCAs: