Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Wears Nigerian
I have watched Chimamanda as she has toured the world for her new book, Dear Ijeawele, Or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, and apart from her luscious hair that just seems to get more beautiful every time I see it, another thing that has stood out is her outfits. They have been colourful, detailed and simply exquisite. Over the past weeks, I have wondered who designed her gorgeous outfits and though I searched the internet, I couldn’t get any answers.
This morning, on Chimamanda’s Instagram page managed by her cousins, Chisom and Amaka, my answers finally came: Almost all the clothes that she has worn on the Dear Ijeawele tour are from Nigerian designers, and it seems that this decision is intentional, as the description bar on her Instagram page is tagged ‘Wear Nigerian.’
On her Facebook page, she gave the reason for her decision.
The Nigerian government’s disastrous economic policies have led to a reduction in the value of the naira and therefore in disposable income, a change in values, a disorientation of the middle class, and most of all, to a debilitating sense of uncertainty.
If we are to grasp for a silver lining, then the ‘Buy Nigerian to Grow The Naira’ rhetoric is one.
In that spirit, I recently decided to wear mostly Nigerian brands for my public appearances. (Before, by the way, President Buhari declared ‘Made in Nigeria dress’ days.)
In the past few weeks, I’ve bought more Nigerian brands than I ever have in the past. I’ve discovered new names. I’ve been filled with admiration for the women and men running their businesses despite the many challenges they face. I’m particularly interested in ‘inward-looking’ brands, those for whom dressing Nigerian women is as important as other goals.
I’ve changed quite a few dodgy zippers, been disappointed by some poor quality fabrics, and been impressed by some detail-oriented finishing. Overall, I love the clothes, their cut, their whimsy, their color, their flair, their ability to make me feel like myself. Their makers, from designer to tailor to button-fixer to okada-delivery-person, deserve to be supported.
At the suggestion of my very au fait nieces Chisom and Amaka – who think Aunty is a hilarious luddite dinosaur (and they have a point, sadly) – I am now on Instagram at chimamanda_adichie documenting my ‘Wear Nigerian’ project.
~CNA
Chimamanda has become one of the biggest ambassadors of Nigerian and African culture. Not only is she showing that Natural Hair is beautiful, now she is also showcasing our Nigerian designers to the world. Most of these designers will get the recognition and patronage they deserve because Chimamanda has worn their clothes on a global stage.
I picked ten of my best looks from all of her outfits and if you want to see the rest, visit her Instagram page here.
Enjoy.
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Which one was your favourite?
Let us know!
