SUMMERSPRING

Celebrated Nigerian designer Mai Atafo collaborated with renowned Scottish Whiskey ‘The Macallan’ to showcase 2023 Summer/Spring Collection themed ‘Atelier’. The event held on 20th November 2022 at the Podium, Lekki, Lagos state. The Exhibition was graced by the high-ups of the Nigerian entertainment scenery like Ebuka Obi-Chikwendu, Omawunmi, Basketmouth, Linda Ejiofor, Beverley Osu, Sharon Ooja, Uti Nwachukwu, Alex Ekubo, IK Ogbonna, and a host of others. Atafo is far-famed in Nigerian and African Fashion cycles. He is celebrated for his sartorial excellence, elegance and overall mastery of well-tailored bespoke dresses for men and women.  The Atelier’s exhibition marked the brand’s return from a three-year hiatus from runway exhibitions and the brand’s first official stand-alone exhibition. The landmark event also celebrated the brand’s Creative Director Ohimai Atafo’s 12 years as a tailor and fashion designer. Atelier brilliantly and meticulously showcases the “length and breadth of what Atafo offers and stands for”. The Macallan is a world-class single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Scotland renowned for exceptionally superb whisky. The Macallan brand represents excellence, class and rarity and exemplifies its stance with this Nigerian collaboration. The Atafo x Macallan collaboration recognizes the synergy between the respective niche areas and symbolizes and celebrates mastery in excellent craftsmanship. Abayomi Ajao, Edrington’s (Owners of the Macallan) Customer Marketing Manager, West & North Africa had this to say: “The Macallan is renowned as the world’s leading single malt whiskies and globally celebrated for its unique taste and style, methods and craftsmanship. For almost 200 years, The Macallan has maintained an outstanding quality and distinctive character. This legacy and reputation form the motivation for our collaboration with the highly respected Nigerian designer, Mai Atafo. The Macallan recognises Nigeria’s vibrant fashion industry that is characterised by colour and beautiful expressions and this partnership is another investment in the exceptional talents within the industry,” The Atelier is a conglomeration of bridal, traditional, men and women’s wear collections.  These lines collectively embody a showcase that displays Atafo’s elegance, magnificence and outright Grandeur. The Bridal Collection The bridal collection features a variety of elegantly styled dresses and silhouettes suited for differing tastes. The collection is an exhibition from its diffusion brand Atafo Bridal which launched sometime in 2011. The bridal diffusion brand caters for exquisite and dainty bridal couture tastes.   Menswear Collection The menswear collection showcased Atafo’s unparalleled knack and adeptness in bespoke suits and tuxedoes. An exhibition of elaborate cuttings and fittings for the ‘Perfect Gentleman’. Little wonder, the runway was graced with Ric Hassani. Traditional Collection The traditional collection stars a rich array of colour, class and style. We are left to savour the radiance and affluence from the colour pallet explored by the designer. An artist indeed! Womenswear Collection The Atelier Women’s collection leaves one utterly bedazzled and stunned. The collection successfully transforms and adds a modern flair to an otherwise formal look. The collection features a miscellany of suits, two pieces, and others made from the finest fabrics varying in texture and colour. What are your thoughts on the collection? Please share them below.