Vogue Italia Honors Naija: A New Generation of Nigerian Creatives

Vogue Italia taps deeply into a global convo that is spreading like wildfire. American activists may be leading the anti-racism protest movement triggered by the brutal, broadcast live, nearly 9 minute murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. But Britain is not far behind, projecting the visual declaration Black Lives Matter onto the Houses of Parliament over the weekend.

In the city of Bristol, in southwest England, protesters tied the bronze statue of English slave trader and Tory member of Parliament Edward Colston with rope, toppled it and then dragged it into the harbor and thew it into the River Avon. At this moment, nearly 14,000 people have signed a petition to replace Colston’s statue with a new one of Paul Stephenson, who led the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott.

Officials promise to prosecute the crime. Fine — but as we are demanding in America — be very sure that you prosecute ALL the crimes committed against all the people, ALL the human bodies who died on the high seas to advance the rise of colonial powers in Britain, America and countless other “advanced” nations. We’ll be watching you, Bristol officials. ~ Anne

Naija is an African term to describe the new generation in Nigeria, the pride of the nation. Across the world — AND FOR GOOD REASON — young people are on the move in America, too. And most agree that not since 1968, have we seen this degree of activism.

It’s time to put Africa on the fashion map once and for all. The creative energy coming out of Lagos is now full throttle and must be given respect. This Vogue Italia editorial Naija: spring summer 2020 of Nigerian talents is superb.

The editorial was shot by Spanish photographer Eva Losada during GTBank Fashion Weekend and features all Nigerian fashion from spring 2020 collections. Moses Ebite styles models Gilchrist Emeremgini and Olaniyan Olamijuwon. Brands include Viviers studio; Three as Four, NKWO and more.

See Vogue Italia for more commentary and full credits and a lot more backstory.