Nollywood Style Icons

Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and the more modern Jennifer Lawrence. We all know who the Hollywood Fashion Icons are, but what about the Nollywood and Ghollywood stars?

Who is leading the style pack and who need locking up by the Fashion Police for being serial offenders?

The Nollywood Film Industry is now the third most successful in the world, just behind Hollywood and Bollywood, so surely it’s about time we start to take more notice of their leading ladies and the impact they’re having on the Nigerian and Ghanaian fashion sector too?

Rita Dominic, Chika Ike, Mercy Aigbe Gentry and Genevieve Nnaji are all known for their style status, and unless you’re a fan of Nollywood films you probably haven’t heard of them. Keeping it classic, stylish and high fashion sometimes with a mix of traditional African print these ladies tend to get it right most of the time, however Chelsea Ezeh and Ruth Kadiri haven’t been as lucky according to the Fashion Police on website Nigeria Films (http://www.nigeriafilms.com)

Genevieve Nnaji

Award Winning Actress Rita Dominic

Although beautiful, actress Chelsea Ezeh doesn't always get it right when it comes to style. 

As the film industry grows, along with the actresses popularity and strong influence on the public so does the Nigerian Fashion Industy.

Last year Forbes ran an article on Kunmi Otitoju, a 30-year-old Nigerian Fashion Designer of Aso-Oke that she hopes to make Africa’s version of Hermès and thrives on the idea of building up a luxury goods market in Africa.

Designer Kunmi Otitoju

Along with Isoken Ogiemwonyi, Sisters Tiwa, Teni and Aba, and Emmy Collins they continue to build Nigeria’s Fashion status. The Nigerian Fashion industry has gradually outgrown the countries boarders and is now competing with other international fashion industries.

 As the growth of the film industry becomes more successful it appears this has a knock on effect on everything else associated with it and that can only be considered a good thing for Nigeria and Ghana.

Peach and Gold

Peach and Gold by berylaa featuring ankle strap shoes

Trendy Yet Comfortable Work Clothing

Most of us put a lot of effort into dressing up for special occasions.  If we have plans to go out somewhere special, we’ll probably buy a new dress, wear heels, do our hair up and get our nails painted.  But we don’t always put that much effort into work clothing.  Yet our work is important to us.  We want to make a good impression on those higher up, get promotions and have a successful career.  For this, it’s important to dress well for work too.  So here are a few ideas:

• The Skirt Suit.  The skirt suit is one of the most basic things you can wear to work.  It might, at times, seem a tad bit boring but if you are wearing a tight pencil skirt and a well-fitting jacket, a skirt suit can be really flattering without showing too much skin.  If you want to shake things up a bit, you can always go with a skirt suit in an unusual colour.  Instead of boring navy blue and grey, you could always go with pink or mauve.  You can also mix and match the jacket and skirt.  For example, if you’re wearing a grey skirt, you can go with a white blouse topped with a pink jacket.  There are many interesting combinations you can come up with, from grey and blue to black and maroon.  So feel free to experiment.

Tyra Banks rocking a Grey Skirt Suit with Black Detailing (Image courtesy of gettyimages.com)

Beyonce looks chic and elegant in this trendy Pastel Yellow Skirt Suit (Image courtesy of marieclaire.co.uk)

• The Trouser Suit.  Trouser suits are as versatile as skirt suits and can be combined in many of the same ways.  You can go with matching trousers and a jacket or you can go with different colours on top and bottom.  Just make sure that your trousers fit you well.  Cigarette trousers are flattering and make your legs look slim without being too tight for work.  Boot cut trousers are also a good choice because they tend to balance out your look with that slight flare at the ankle.

Victoria Beckham nails the corporate look in this black trouser suit (Image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk)

Amal Clooney stunned us all when she wore this elegant Cream Trouser Suit for her Civil Ceremony to George Clooney (Image courtesy of telegraph.co.uk)

• Business Casual.  In many work places, you don’t need to wear suits anymore.  You can just combine a nice skirt or a nice pair of trousers with a fancy blouse.  Chiffon blouses are great for work.  They look classy and elegant and they’re comfortable at the same time.  Button down shirts are also a good option and can be tucked into your bottoms or left out.  Ruffled tops, silk blouses and tops embellished with stones and embroidery also give you that slight formal edge which you need at work.  Combine these with a nice piece of chunky jewellery and you’ll have a promotion-worthy look for work.

Olivia Palermo nails the Business Casual look in her Tan Trousers and Satin Blouse (Image courtesy of inthecloset.com)

Taraji P.Henson also looks fab in her Green Blouse and Black Pencil Skirt (Image courtesy of gettyimages.com)

Contact us for more ideas about what to wear to work.

Shades of Blue

Shades of Blue by berylaa featuring high heel shoes

Lunch with the Girls.....

Lunch with the Girls..... by berylaa featuring blue jeans

After Work Drinks...

After Work Drinks... by berylaa featuring MICHAEL Michael Kors

Yellow Bliss....

Yellow Bliss.... by berylaa featuring jimmy choo shoes