The best and worst looks from the 14th Headies Awards

All the best and worst fashion moments from Sunday night's event

Written by The Native - 23.Feb.2021

On Sunday night, the 14th Headies Award Show saw the likes of Bella Shmurda, Fireboy DML, Bad Boy Timz, The Cavemen, Ladipoe and more earn their stripes for their contributions to the Nigerian music scene. The award show has long been known to be the ultimate accolade for a Nigerian artist, however, due to their wavering consistency despite being around for over a decade the prestige of a Headie might no longer be what it once was. While there were many noteworthy moments such as Fireboy sweeping up four awards including Album of the Year and The Cavemen’s first award, what seemed to have gained the attention of those watching all over the country, was the fashion choices.

The red carpet is often a point of discussion at award shows, and The Headies was no different. The choices donned at award shows are usually either a hit or miss out, and in Nigeria, when you factor that there’s a global pandemic that demands that we remain socially distanced, a 12-pm curfew, and wear face masks to curtail the spread of a deadly virus, there’s a lot to turn over and discuss.

Although fashion is primarily subjective, and what may be best dressed to one person may be the worst dressed to another and vice versa, what’s good is typically always good, and what’s bad is bad. Following our observations throughout the Sunday night show, and given that there was little else to discuss about the award show itself, we’ve ranked a few of our best and worst fashion moments from the 14th annual Headies Awards.

Best Fashion Moments

4. Alex Unusual

I don’t even think this lady has much to do with the music industry, but there’s no denying that she looks kinda cute in this outfit. Although the pants could’ve been a few inches shorter, she still pulled off this three-piece co-ord stylishly. Made by Sevon Dejana, the burgundy velvet number shows off the brand’s penchant for flair, and it’s definitely put them on our radar for whenever outside opens properly.

3. Kimoprah

Remember when Mercy Johnson said ‘forget about your shiny suit’? Well, Kimoprah’s isn’t one we will be forgetting any time soon. I’m a sucker for a good tailored two-piece and this gorgeous set from sustainable ready-to-wear womenswear brand, Hertunba was all hits no misses. This earthy brown tone seems to be the colour of the season, and the trousers pair perfectly well with the blue jacket, it seems a bit like the fit was inspired by the beach and she looked good.

2. Erica

If you’re going to do the princess look, you have to do it right and Erica definitely did it right with her gorgeous dress by Mide. With mixed fabric, what made the dress stand out to me was the intricate hand beaded detail in the mid-riff, adorned with traditional cowrie shells. If you ask me, this is how you take tradition forward.

1. Wizkid

Can there be a rundown of the best fashion moments with our Starboy coming up in conversation? Absolutely not. Wizkid has always been a fashion icon, and the best thing about his fits lately is that it shows how laidback and relaxed our Starboy currently is. Dripped in a slouchy white two-piece, and a mask to match, this ensemble made him look extra cool and in a default state of unflappable chill. He looked effortlessly cool, and that’s why Wizkid is our fashion hit of the entire event.

Worst Fashion moments

4. Falz

Falz may have won the award for Best Hip-Hop/Rap song but this outfit was far from hip in my eyes. It’s really difficult to pull off a white suit if you’re not P-Diddy, and when you then add in gold detailing on the shoulder pads, I just –. I think Falz could have looked alright and regular without that detail, but it just really reminded me of WWE heavyweight belts and that’s a big no from me.

3. Nancy Isime and Bovi

The hosts of the 14th Headies award show gave little to desire when it came to their sartorial choices, and their stylists should be written up for what they did. I know it’s harmattan but surely, it’s still too hot for Nancy’s winter jacket? On top of that, the bright yellow… na. Although, it’s important to note that Bovi made a statement when he wore a piece that featured the bloody Nigerian flag from the October 20 #EndSARS horrors so that was a redeeming factor.

2. Iyabo Ojo

My unpopular opinion is that the lady who won the award for best dressed was actually one of the worst dressed people at the event. But like I said earlier, one person’s fashion hit might be a miss for someone else and this certainly belonged in the latter for me. I’m not a fan of all the bedazzlement on her dress and I didn’t really get the whole sleeves extending into gloves thing, it doesn’t seem practical. What happens when she needs to spend a penny? Lovely hair and makeup though.

1. Desmond Elliot

Get a load of this guy. I get that we should respect tradition and all, but this is not an owambe and he just looks out of place. It would have been a bit better if he wasn’t wearing a full on agbada, maybe just a regular blue traditional fit might have toned the look down a bit and made it more bearable. One good thing is that there are already loads of funny memes and jokes about this fit on social media and I’ve been hollering all afternoon.