JaneMichael Ekanem who has established herself as a powerhouse in African fashion has urged young fashion designers to work on their brand and dare to be different if they want to attract the right clientele and develop their business to a greater level.
Ekanem, who is an innovator in the multi-billion naira industry, cited her trajectory in the fashion and styling business to the youths and young designers as she blends creativity, sustainability and business acumen in redefining her style and showing the world how fashion is perceived and accepted by the avang garde.
“In life, you must know what you want and carve your niche by doing things differently in your career and profession. As a designer and stylist whose journey began behind the scenes, curating impeccable looks for high-profile celebrities such as Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Yemi Alade, and Ini Edo, I have grown, struggled to define my style.
“My passion in the industry knows no bounds as I wanted to render service and stand out and make my clients look special and come back again. That’s what made me stand out and I am still innovating, which is something you must keep striving to be at par and excellent in your field,” said Jane Michael.
The designer gained industry recognition having styled celebs, and this led her to expand into the world of fashion design. In 2016, she took the bold step of launching her JaneMichael Collection, a brand that embodies sophistication, structure, and contemporary African aesthetics.
Many have commended her passion to duty and making others rise in the industry as her own rise in the industry was marked by a series of defining moments, from serving as the Fashion Curator for ‘A Celebration of African Culture’, which hosted French President Emmanuel Macron, to debuting collections at GTBank Fashion Weekend and Lagos Leather Fair. JaneMichael is not only the first fashion entrepreneur from Africa to curate a fashion show for a president but also the first fashion entrepreneur in Nigeria to be verified on Instagram.
Unlike many designers who focus solely on high fashion, JaneMichael is committed to functional, everyday fashion, Her Eazy Wear and collections including The Ladypreneur, La Panache, Asian, and One Man Army, are meticulously designed to reflect strength, elegance, and timeless appeal. Whether dressing corporate elites or entertainment icons, JaneMichael’s signature aesthetic resonates across diverse audiences.
JaneMichael’s influence extends beyond Nigeria’s borders. A career-defining moment was her collaboration with Essence Magazine and artist Laolu NYC to style Serena Williams, placing her firmly in the league of globally recognized designers.
Beyond red carpets and magazine covers, she has also contributed her expertise to film and television productions, working with M-Net Africa and styling editorials for publications like TW Magazine and Schick Magazine.
JaneMichael’s commitment to fashion is matched by her dedication to education. As the Dean of the School of Style Africa, she mentors aspiring stylists and designers, ensuring that the next wave of African creatives has the knowledge and tools to thrive in the competitive industry.
Additionally, as a mental health and wellness advocate, she emphasizes the importance of emotional well-being in creative industries. Through public speaking engagements, such as TEDx Discovery Park Women, AFRICA NXT (formerly known as Social Media Week) and being a judge at the Nigerian Student Fashion and Design Week (NSFDW) platform, she inspires young entrepreneurs to balance ambition with self-care.
With each collection, collaboration, and mentorship initiative, JaneMichael Ekanem continues to shape the future of African fashion. Her work proves that style is more than aesthetics—it’s a statement, a movement, and a powerful force for change.
According to a fashion analyst, Jemi Orode JaneMichael Ekanem is not just a designer; “she is a visionary redefining what it means to dress with purpose, impact, and global appeal.”
Credit: Guardian
