5 Ways to Style Traditional Nigerian Attire for Modern Occasions

Traditional Nigerian fashion is experiencing a global renaissance, and for good reason. The vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and cultural significance of our native attire make them perfect for modern styling. Here’s how to wear your heritage with contemporary flair.

1. The Corporate Aso-Oke Statement

Who says traditional wear can’t be boardroom-appropriate? Pair a beautifully tailored aso-oke blazer with sleek trousers or a pencil skirt for a power look that honors your roots while commanding professional respect. The key is in the tailoring—structured silhouettes give traditional fabrics a modern edge.

2. Ankara After Dark

Transform ankara prints into evening glamour with figure-hugging silhouettes and strategic design details. A well-cut ankara dress with contemporary necklines or asymmetric hemlines creates the perfect fusion of tradition and trend. Add statement jewelry and elegant heels, and you’re red-carpet ready.

3. The Minimalist Approach

Sometimes less is more. Choose a solid-colored traditional fabric and let expert tailoring do the talking. A minimalist kaftan in luxurious fabric, paired with understated accessories, creates an effortlessly chic look perfect for upscale brunches or gallery openings.

4. Mix and Match Magic

Don’t be afraid to pair your traditional pieces with Western wardrobe staples. An embellished traditional top looks stunning with well-fitted jeans, while a wrapper-style skirt can be dressed down with a simple blouse and sneakers for daytime sophistication.

5. The Statement Gele Revival

The gele has evolved beyond weddings. A beautifully styled headwrap can elevate even the simplest outfit. Pair a bold gele with a monochrome ensemble to let your headwrap be the star, or coordinate colors for a harmonious, fashion-forward look.

Your Style, Your Heritage

At the heart of modern Nigerian fashion is the beautiful balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation. When your garments are custom-made to your exact specifications, styling becomes limitless. You’re not confined to how a piece looked on the runway—you’re creating your own fashion narrative.

Let us help you bring your vision to life. Our bespoke design service ensures your traditional pieces are crafted to suit your lifestyle and personal aesthetic.

I’m sure there are some creative people out there who love to get it done and get the fuck out, and they’re not there to make friends. But I’m there to make friends.

Maya Rudolph

Here, the friends and business partners discuss “shedding the bullshit” of Hollywood and choosing the communities they want to create with.

Maya Rudolph: Do you want to do the honors of going down memory lane? The nice thing is this is a fashion magazine, so we can talk about our first connection being a fashion show. You were like the cool guy who sauntered over to me at Mercer Bar at an SNL after-party and were like, “You want to be in a fashion show?” I think you were with Tara [Subkoff, the Imitation of Christ designer]. Or maybe Chloë [Sevigny], I’m not sure. And you were like, “Great. Tomorrow, Showroom Seven, meet me there.” It was like the words that someone says to a kid in a fantasy of when you come to the big city. I remember we had our fitting, and we were so young and lithe, and tried on various cool black gowns, and it was everything. And then we sauntered down Seventh Avenue, and I was like, “This is it, Ma! I’ve done it!” Little did we know that we weren’t models in the show but we were in fact the emcees.

Honestly, when talking about you specifically, in my introduction to you as my first New York friend that I made outside of SNL, the thing I noticed very quickly is, you really did—even at that time, and you were very young—have your own kind of family that you built, which was really your friends, and an enormous sense of community.

Natasha Lyonne: The truth is, of course, that the real reason, at least for me, of this company is I just wanted to spend more time in this life with you in a substantive way. I remember the early days, we were like, “Oh, shit, we really have a reason to talk on the phone every day now.” Nothing brings me more joy, in the same way that I’m sure you have with Amy [Poehler] and Tina [Fey] and [Rachel] Dratch, like a Wine Country, or for me it’s like getting to do my show, Russian Doll, with Chloë [Sevigny]. It’s all these excuses we come up with to find ways to spend time with the people we love the most.