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The Evolution of Toke Makinwa’s Style From Girl Next Door to Fashion Icon

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Once upon a time, Toke Makinwa was just that sweet girl with a charming smile and a girly wardrobe to match. Fast-forward to a few years,  she is now one of Nigeria’s biggest fashion powerhouses and is always serving looks, always on point, and forever giving us something to talk about. The Toke we knew has evolved, and her style has grown with her, transforming into a full-blown fashion icon who’s earned her place at the top.

Let’s take a walk down her memory lane and see how Toke moved from a simple girl and became the queen of slay.

 

Toke Makinwa

Early Days: Simple, Sweet & Safe

When Toke Makinwa first stepped into the entertainment industry as a radio personality and budding TV host, her fashion style was cute, conservative, and very safe. Think corporate dresses,  blazers, and the classic pumps that were all invoked in early 2010s Naija. Her style was clean and feminine, a mix between church-girl and red carpet-ready.

She wasn’t out to shock anyone, she was just your regular pretty girl with quality taste. But even then, you could tell Toke had an eye for elegance. She knew her angles, understood the power of a flattering look, and could rock a fitted dress so well.

 

Toke Makinwa

The Glow-Up Era: Hairs and Bold Moves

Toke’s glow up era began somewhere between her personal reinvention and the launch of her YouTube channel Toke Moments, that time bore a new fashion start.

Bold-colored wigs, flawless makeup, snatched waists, and fierce red carpet looks—Toke began taking risks, and it paid off. She abandoned the “safe zone” and started experimenting with designer pieces, edgy styles, and daring colors. Her love for high fashion became obvious, and she merged streetwear with glam effortlessly.

This was also the season of body hugging dresses, jumpsuits that fitted every curve perfectly, and a steady flirtation with luxury brands like Gucci, Balmain, and Versace. Toke no longer played small, she was serving main character energy.

 

Toke Makinwa

The International Girl Era

Then came what I like to call the “International Girl” chapter. When  Toke started attending fashion weeks in Paris, rubbing shoulders with A-listers, and appearing in Vogue’s street style recaps.

Her style evolved into global, sleek, and editorial. We started seeing her in custom outfits, like oversized blazers paired with bralettes, and feathered gowns, straight from international designers. At this point she was not just dressing to impress anymore, she was dressing to influence. And influence she did.

Stylists and fashion bloggers started citing her as an inspiration. Nigerian designers saw their pieces gain attention after a “Toke moment.” The girl who once wore safe gowns was now confidently pulling off structured dresses, styled suits, and runway-ready pieces. She had officially become a fashion girl.

 

Brand Toke: Style Meets Strategy

As she evolved, Toke Makinwa didn’t just become a style icon, but also a brand. She launched her own fashion collection “Toke making Luxury”,  an exquisite leather bag. She also launched her beauty line “Toke Makinwa Beauty”  a brand majoring in beauty, cosmetics, and personal care. An expression of her fashion personality.

She understood what it meant to show up and show out. And she kept her audience guessing, always switching things up. One day she’s in soft, romantic pastels and florals. The next day, she’s channeling her inner baddie in a head-to-toe leather look.

The unpredictability, mixed with her consistency, is what kept her relevant and respected in the ever-competitive world of Nigerian fashion.

 

Toke Makinwa

Why Toke Style Is Loved

Toke Makinwa’s style journey wasn’t just about clothes. It’s about growth, confidence, and a woman coming into her own. From her failed marriage to business wins, Toke has used fashion to reflect her evolution—and Nigerians have watched every step of the way.

She’s taught us that you can be soft and sexy, classy and bold, playful and powerful. You can move to any desired level you want in life and your style should evolve with you.

 

Toke Makinwa

Final Word

Toke Makinwa didn’t just stumble into fashion greatness—she walked into it head high, looks and all. From a simple girly to a full-blown style queen, her evolution has been a joy to watch.

If there’s one thing to learn from Toke, it’s this: never be afraid to switch it up, serve looks, and own your game. Because fashion is not just what you wear, it’s how you show up in the world. And Toke? She shows up fierce.

read also: Biography of Cynthia Onoriode Lowo -Model and Fashion Icon

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Fashion

The Nigerian Designers Who Owned the Night at the 15 Percent Pledge Gala

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Photo Credit - Instagram

The 15 Percent Pledge Gala was held on February 7, 2026, at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. Nigerian designers dressed several attending celebrities including Serayah, Chloe Bailey and Ayra Starr.

Nigerian celebrity designer Onalaja designed not one but two celebrity outfits.

Serayah In Onalaja

Serayah – Instagram

Serayah wore a custom floor length gown. The dress had a v-neckline and a form-fitting figure that highlighted her shape. It was heavily decorated with tonal red beading arranged in swirling, circular patterns creating a rich texture. She accessorized the outfit with gold statement drop earrings and simple rings. Her hair was styled in a high topknot bun; make up included smokey eyes and nude lips.

Symphani Soto in Onalaja

Symphani Soto – Instagram

Onalaja also styled Symphani Soto in a black sequins gown. The dress is a midnight couture gown, it features a strapless, sweatheart neckline in a bodycon and mermaid style. The corset bodice is styled with hand applied 3D floral appliqués. The rest of the gown is crafted from a shimmering sequined black fabric. Her hair was styled in smooth Hollywood waves with a deep side part. Her makeup featured shaped winged eyeliner, defined brows and brown nude coloured lips. She used simple accessories, wearing just a simple delicate gold earrings and necklace.

Eni Popoola In Hertunba

Eni Popoola – Instagram

Eni Popoola arrived in a tara dress by Nigerian celebrity designer Hertunba, the dress has alot of hand-beaded details. The gown is strapless, and hand-beaded, it features a striped sequined pattern and feathered hem. Her hair was wore in deep waves that fell down her shoulders. Her most noticed accessory was a DIDRIS Rope Bracelet worn on her wrist, she added gold earrings and matching rings.

Marvella In Hertunba

Marvella – Instagram

Marvella took a completely different direction in another Hertunba design, rocking a graphic print dress with bold primary colors and lines that looked like wearable art.

Quen Blackwell In Tia Adeola

Quen Blackwell – Instagram

Quen Blackwell walked in wearing a metallic silver outfit with ruffles. She paired the outfit with purple accented glasses. The cropped jacket, layered skirt everything worked just well.

Ayra Starr In Tia Adeola

Ayra Starr – Instagram

Ayra Starr wore a a white feathered gown with cutouts, accessorized with a beaded statement necklace and matching earrings. Her was styled in defined curls with a wet-look finish.

Chloe Bailey In Weiz Dhurm Franklyn

Chloe Bailey – Instagram

Chloe Bailey was designed by Weiz Dhurm Franklyn. She wore a floor-length, body-hugging gown in a soft ivory fabric. It includes a leather bust accented with silver eyelets. Chloe paired the look with a cross necklace, sparkling earrings and open-toed silver heels. Her hair was styled in long waist-length hair.

Amina Seck in MSO Lagos

Amina seck – Instagram

Amina Seck wore a custom black-and-pink gown by Nigerian fashion brand MSO Lagos, featuring a high-neck black velvet bodice and a pink-and-black taffeta bubble skirt with a front slit. Accessories included a Dior Lady Art handbag, black pointed-toe heels, sheer tights and gold-and-white earrings. Her hair was styled in a high braided updo.

Olandria In House Of Marvee

Olandria – Instagram

Olandria wore an orange fringed gown by House of Marvee with sequined patterns and a halter-neckline, accessorized with silver rings. Her hair was styled in a curly wig parted in the middle, and her makeup used warm tones.

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Fashion

Chioma Adeleke’s Choice of Sandal is Beyond “Girl Next Door”

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Image: Instagram

Chioma Adeleke’s style has always invited conversation, but her recent choice of sandals pushes that topic in a different direction. It moved her image from the familiar “girl next door” label.

For a long time, public perception of Chioma’s fashion identity leaned on simplicity. Safe colour choice, simple design, nothing dramatic. Her latest sandal design disrupts that narrative in a quiet but firm way.

Image: Instagram

Image: Instagram

The sandals stand out immediately. They are hot pink Esor Marie Rene feathered high-heel sandals. The gladiator-style features a rounded square toe with extensive ankle and leg straps. The heel is a patent metal. The standout feature of her sandal is the feathers around the ankle and calf area. The structure and material finish show deliberate design choices. The design leans towards high fashion rather than everyday casual wear. The straps placement balances exposure and structure, defining her foot gracefully.

It’s worthy to note that in Nigerian celebrity fashion, sandals have long moved past basic utility. They now operate as status markers, craftsmanship displays, and styling anchors. From handmade leather designs to international luxury labels, sandals communicate taste as loudly as heels or designer bags. Chioma’s selection aligns with this shift. It shows awareness of where fashion conversations are heading rather than where they have been.

Image: Instagram

Image: Instagram

What truly moves the look beyond “girl next door’ territory is the psychological shift it communicates. The girl next door archetype relies on softness, safety, and familiarity. Chioma’s sandals interrupt that comfort zone.

It also reflects maturity in personal branding. As public figures grow, their fashion language often evolves alongside life changes. Marriage, motherhood, business ventures, and public scrutiny all shape presentation. Her footwear choice reads like someone refining her image rather than abandoning it.

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Fashion

The Weiz Dhurm Franklyn Dress Worn by Mimi Yina Is a Work of Art

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Medlin boss - Instagram

Mimi Yina was seen recently in a dress by Nigerian designer Weiz Dhurm Franklyn, and it was unique one. The hot pink colour was the highlight of the gown, but the details of the outfit are what makes the dress noticeable.

Medlin boss – Instagram

The dress has a dramatic high-low silhouette, with a short, fitted sequined skirt visible at the front and a long flowing train that falls to the floor. The gown appears to be made from a pleated fabric, giving it a voluminous texture. It has a halter-neckline and is designed with large flora-shaped bows, one at the waist and the other one near the knee.

She paired the outfit with simple silver strappy heels and minimal jewelry. Everything worked well with the strong outfit. Her hair and makeup were kept neat and natural.

Medlin boss – Instagram

The outfit design is distinctive. Weiz Dhurm Franklyn took a different approach with this piece, especially in how the details of the dress were handled. On mimi the dress suited her, like it was meant solely for her. With the bright colour adding more character to the overall look.

With bold colours and heavy details becoming more common, this dress still stands out because of how well it was put together. Nothing feels random, from the pleats to the bow placement.

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