After enduring weeks of challenging tasks aimed at testing their design skills and adaptability amid unexpected developments, Esther Okonta was crowned the inaugural Style Magnate. She received a transformative opportunity to kickstart her career as a designer for celebrities, along with a cash prize of N10 million, a three-month internship with a prestigious fashion brand, and a chic one-bedroom apartment.
Conceived by Abisola Omolade, the show featured 20 designers who tackled demanding challenges, pushed their creative boundaries, and showcased their most innovative concepts. Audiences were treated to cutting-edge designs and the intense drama of weekly eliminations that kept them captivated.
In the finale, the top five designers—Zuweirat, Sildek, Esther, Itunu, and Philip—were tasked with creating a three-look collection for a celebrity client. The stakes were high, and each designer needed to demonstrate their capability to secure the win.
Evaluating the designers’ work were the show’s Maestro, Mai Atafo, alongside Nigerian designers Ejiro Amos Tafiri and Ugo Monye, Tosin Ogundadegbe of Style Infidel, and hosts Yolanda Okereke and Joseph Benjamin. Esther’s collection, titled “Shades of Strength,” inspired by strong, confident women, received the highest praise from the judges.
Reflecting on the vision behind Style Magnate, Omolade stated, “I aimed to establish a platform that enhances the fashion narrative in Africa. With Style Magnate, we are not merely showcasing designs; we are honoring stories, talent, and the boundless potential of African creatives.”
Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels West Africa at MultiChoice, remarked, “Style Magnate exemplifies the extraordinary talent of African designers, establishing a new benchmark for fashion reality television in Africa.
Witnessing the unfiltered talent and daring creativity of these designers has been truly inspiring, and we take pride in sharing their journeys with our audience. Given the remarkable potential they have demonstrated on the show, each of them is a winner with promising futures in the fashion industry.”
With Esther Okonta now recognized as the ultimate Style Magnate, the show has raised the standard for upcoming seasons while highlighting the limitless creativity inherent in African fashion.
The inaugural season of Style Magnate has also set a significant precedent for fashion narratives in Africa, and we eagerly anticipate the future endeavors of these exceptional designers.