With the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards just a week away, it’s time to revisit the 11th edition and remember exactly why it broke the internet. AMVCA has never been just an awards show, in its own way, it is as well a full fashion spectacle.

Here’s the recap:

Nature Was the Unofficial Theme

Nobody announced a dress code, but somehow the carpet became a living garden. Doyin David showed up in a tree dress by Mamadi Couture that went completely viral. Osas Ighodaro wore a Mother Nature inspired gown by Veekee James. Mercy Aigbe came as the sun, moon, and stars — also Veekee James. Mercy Eke’s crystal-encrusted “Water and Diamond” dress by Amy Aghomi looked like light itself had been sewn into fabric. Diiadem became a butterfly, Jenny Frank a garden, and Ashmusy a rose. It was genuinely stunning from start to finish.

Designer: @mamadicouture_
     Makeup: @glowwithlilian

Osas Ighodaro in an Ocean-Inspired Mother Nature Look

 

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A post shared by Osas Ighodaro (@officialosas)

Dress @veekeejames_official
Photographer @officialphotofreak
Makeup @adella_makeup
Hair @touchofibee

Mercy Eke as Water, Diamonds, and Light

Fashion Designer: @amyaghomi
Creative fashion stylist: @styled_by_maklinscout
Creative Director: @gyftama
Makeup: @glambyomoye
Hairstylist: @hairbyposhclass
Hair: @mizwanneka
Set Design: @ivie_crafts

Mercy Aigbe as the Sun, Moon and the Stars

Outfit @veekee_james

Hair @touchofibee

Makeup @y_glam

Diiadem as a Butterfly


Makeup – @tomi_aina
Hair – @hairbyposhclass
Designer – @styledbylayo
Jewelry – @swarovskiretailernigeria
Location – @thedelborough
Photography – @boboiso

Jenny Frank as a Garden

Styled by: @lawson_artistry
Outfit tailored by: @cindymary_couture
Accessories : @oznel_luxeaccessories
Photographer: @israel_onuah
Hair styled by : @bossgirlhair

Ashmusy as a rose

 

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A post shared by Dr. Ashmoney👑 (@ashmusy)


Garden outfit – @abbaswoman.ng 
Hair styled – @lshbeautyhub

Nigerian Designers Had Their Moment

The real story of the night was the designers behind the looks. Veekee James dressed multiple celebrities and delivered two of the most talked-about outfits of the evening. Mamadi Couture was behind three red carpet looks, including Doyin’s iconic tree dress. Erica Moore Brand dressed four clients — Laura Ikeji, Olivia Okoro, Dami Adegbite, and others. And Toyin Lawani crafted a jaw-dropping gown made from a million safety pins. Yes, really.

Erica Moore Brand

Photocredit: Ericamoorebrand /Instagram

Veekee James

Photocredit: VeekeeJames/Instagram

Mamadi Couture

Photocredit: Mamadicouture/Instagram

Amy Aghomi

 

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A post shared by Amy Aghomi (@ammynado)

Photocredit: Amy Aghomi/Instagram

Elegante By Tiannah 

The Accessories Told Their Own Stories

Some of the most memorable moments weren’t even the dresses. Rachael Okonkwo carried a duckling purse. Frances Theodore wore a saucer hat. Erica paired a bejewelled headpiece with matching gloves. Folu Storms brought out a hand fan. Olivia topped off her look with a bejewelled mask. The accessories at AMVCA 2025 were so good they deserve their own award category.

&Sophie Alakija’s Cocktail Purse

Sophie Alakija via Instagram

Simi Drey’s Head Piece

Simi Drey via Instagram

Erica’s Bejeweled Headpiece and Gloves

Erica via Instagram

Beauty Tukura’s Beaded Cape

Beauty Tukura via Instagram

Frances Theodore’s Saucer Hat

Frances Theodore via Instagram

Rachael Okonkwo’s Duckling Purse

Rachael Okonkwo via Instagram

Folu Storms’ Hand Fan

Folu Storms via Instagram

Olivia’s Bejewelled Mask

Official Olivia via Instagram

Soft Glam Was the Beauty Trend

While the outfits went loud, the makeup went soft. Natural glam dominated. warm bronzed skin, subtle eye looks, fluffy lashes, and nude or soft pink lips. Jemima Osunde, Toni Tones, Nana Akua Addo, and Tomi Ojo were among the many who wore it beautifully. The effect let the clothes do the talking while keeping the faces undeniably elegant.

If last year was anything to go by, this year’s AMVCA is going to be something else entirely. The bar has been set very, very high.

 

 

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A post shared by Michelle (@michelleio__)

 

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A post shared by maryjayblaq (@maryjayblaq)

 

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A post shared by Osas Ighodaro (@officialosas)