LadybrilleNigeria.com told you we thought D’Banj brought the “Naija Swag” to the 2011 BET Awards Red Carpet. Accordingly, we didn’t just announce that he won an award at the event, like most did. We instead gave him a full feature focusing just on his style in a post titled “D’Banj aka African Michael Jackson Glides onto BET Awards Red Carpet with That “Naija Swag.” Clearly, we were on point, as usual. First, the event paparazzi/photographers took more pictures of D’Banj’s style on the red carpet than most of his American counterparts; zooming in on the design details of his accessories and shoes, pants and shirt. Now, D’Banj has America’s blogosphere buzzing about the same look.
If you ask us, we think it’s about time Nigerians on America’s red carpets bring the strong style sense Nigerians are notorious for. We also think (and you heard it here first) that D’Banj has just found another real way to enter America’s mainstream culture; a bold statement and introduction to Nigeria’s contemporary fashion and fashion designers. Read a few excerpts below and check out the links.
“Kanye West recently signed 2 Nigerian artists to his G.O.O.D. Music label. One of them is D’banj, who, according to Upscale Hype, attended the 2011 BET Awards styled in a pair of Christian Louboutin Mika Raja flats ($2,395) from the Spring/Summer 2011 Collection. I would rather see a man dressed like D’banj than one dressed like those untamed beasts who roam the urban landscape with their pants hanging off their butts, like Lil Wayne and that ilk. We have to do better.” – Sandra Rose
“I’m not familiar with Nigerian singer/songwriter D’banj’s work, but he’s my pick for best dressed. Such attention to detail! His pants look like they were crafted out of some Italian nonna’s tablecloth. And those aren’t ruffles on his shirt—they’re tasseled beads.” –Jezebel
“Nigerian artist D’banj, who just recently signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music family attended the 2011 BET Awards styled in a pair of Christian Louboutin Mika Raja flats ($2,395) from the Spring/Summer 2011 Collection. Do you like his look? Check out pics below.” – Upsacle Hype
-Uduak Oduok
-Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images North America
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
