Abisola Omolade, Yolanda Okereke and Dr Busola Tejumola

The Trio Igniting Future of Fashion

A new fashion reality TV series, Style Magnate, is a first of its kind, but the brilliance of the show lies in the hands of three women: Abisola Omolade, the showrunner; Yolanda Okereke, who serves as a producer and the show’s fashion principal; and Dr. Busola Tejumola, the driving force behind Showmax’s growing African content. Together, these women, through the show, are discovering and grooming the next wave of fashion designers. Vanessa Obioha writes

 VANESSA OBIOHA

The Trio Igniting Future of Fashion

By now, you have probably heard about Style Magnate, the new fashion reality TV series streaming on Showmax. The show pits 16 designers against one another, each bringing a unique vision and style, all competing for the coveted N100 million prize. From avant-garde couture to sustainable street-wear, these contestants are redefining African fashion and breaking new ground. Guided by industry experts like Mai Atafo, and hosted by Joseph Benjamin, Style Magnate delivers creativity, drama, and a look into the future of fashion in Africa.

But the brilliance of the show lies in the hands of three women: Abisola Omolade, the showrunner; Yolanda Okereke, who serves as a producer and the show’s fashion principal; and Dr. Busola Tejumola, the driving force behind Showmax’s growing African content. Together, these women, through the show, are discovering and grooming the next wave of fashion designers.

Abisola Omolade: The Visionary 

Style Magnate is a first of its kind, shifting the focus of reality TV in Nigeria towards fashion. For Abisola Omolade, the show’s synergy stems from her dual passions—her love for fashion and her professional experience in the film industry. 

Originally from Ekiti State, Omolade is no stranger to the spotlight. A former beauty queen, she holds degrees in accounting, screenwriting, and the business and art of television. She won the Best Art Direction at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for the movie ‘Over The Bridge.’

Her fashion journey was largely influenced by her mother, whose impeccable sense of style left a lasting mark. “She always stood out at events and family gatherings, leaving everyone in awe of her appearance. She paid great attention to how we dressed and presented ourselves, which sometimes led my peers to comment that I was always overdressed for the occasion jokingly,” she recalled.

Omolade’s mother ran a fashion house which inspired Style Magnate. The fashion house produced ready-to-wear items that were exported for sale.

“The designers worked on a strict timeline for production that encompassed everything from fabric sourcing and selection to final labelling and packaging. The sense of urgency that arose as deadlines approached was notable and substantial, as there were consequences in terms of pay cuts for failing to meet targets.”

Witnessing all of these was valuable in creating the show.

As the showrunner of Style Magnate, Omolade is on a mission to challenge common misconceptions about fashion. “Fashion is often perceived as a realm exclusively for the wealthy, with many assuming that it revolves around high incomes and luxury brands,” she explained.

She hopes the show will debunk this idea by showcasing how accessible fashion can be. 

Through features on thrift shopping, upcycling, and DIY projects, the show demonstrates that personal style doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. “Fashion can be embraced on a budget by anyone seeking to curate a unique and fashionable wardrobe.”

Beyond affordability, Omolade wants to redefine the perception that fashion is superficial. “By highlighting the narratives behind different outfits and illustrating how personal style influences confidence and mental well-being, a new perspective of fashion is defined and emerges, emphasizing the deeper significance of fashion beyond mere appearances,” she said.

Putting the show together, however, wasn’t without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles Omolade faced was overcoming skepticism about the authenticity of a reality fashion show. “Many individuals held the misconception that a reality show simply involved acting, leading to doubts about the presence of authentic designers,” she revealed. 

There was also some resistance from designers who either struggled to understand the vision or requested compensation for participating. “This situation was somewhat amusing, considering that the show’s objective was not centred on any specific individual but rather on presenting and introducing the upcoming generation of designers to the fashion world. The show also aimed to instill the values of business management and sustainability within the industry,” she added.

Sustainability and body positivity are at the forefront of current conversations in the fashion industry, and Omolade ensured these topics were a focal point in the show. “We dedicated a whole week/ episode towards this, promoting sustainability in fashion by embracing upcycling as well as promoting models of different body types.” 

Cultural representation also plays a key role in Style Magnate. “Fashion is a universal language,” Omolade noted, adding that the show explores design and styling from different cultures to broaden the designers’ perspectives. By embracing fashion across borders, she hopes to give contestants a deeper appreciation of global design influences.

At its core, the show aims to inspire aspiring designers, regardless of their backgrounds. “To believe that they can achieve global recognition and establish a prominent brand by honing their talents and entrepreneurial skills. Luckily, Showmax has provided a platform that cuts across all social strata, making the show available and accessible to all.”

Yolanda Okereke: The Creative Force

Yolanda Okereke is a well-established name in the fashion world, with over 15 years of experience as a costume designer and stylist in Nollywood. On Style Magnate, Okereke who is a graduate of chemical engineering, takes on the critical role of fashion principal, where she not only guides and mentors the designers but also provides invaluable industry insights that shape the show.

As a lead producer and mentor, Okereke’s responsibilities on Style Magnate extend beyond the camera. “Working as Lead Producer alongside my fellow producers was exciting, but the creative side was even more fun,” she shared, giving a nod to the show’s creator and showrunner, Omolade, whom she describes as “a ball of energy and a fountain of creativity.”

But as Fashion Principal, her role was particularly demanding. “I spent a lot of time with the Magnates, giving counsel and supervising, day in and day out, monitoring their progress on and off-screen, and I still had to sit at the table of Judges to give the verdict. It’s a heavy mantle. As a mother hen, it’s difficult to let one of your kids go. That was the hardest part for me.”

Her years of experience in fashion shaped her approach to her role on the show. She described herself as both compassionate and firm. “In this business, clients know what they want, and without delivering, you lose those clients. I believe I bring the right balance of compassion and expertise that is particular to Nigeria yet with global standards.”

 She curated the judging panel and facilitators with the goal of ensuring every contestant leaves with valuable knowledge. “I wanted every talent to take something away from the show.”

Managing creative differences and high expectations is another area where Okereke shines. “I handle it the only way I know—straight to the point but with encouragement and a sprinkle of sugar and spice. But on other days, it’s pure honesty with a resounding ‘No.’ My watchword is that just because you didn’t win today doesn’t mean you’re not the best. It takes a lot of bravery to go on a show like this and be judged under such scrutiny. I applaud them. I enjoyed every moment I spent with them.”

For Okereke, working on Style Magnate is also about personal growth. “I’m evolving as an artist and a businesswoman. Entrepreneurs are the new rock stars, right? This series gives me the opportunity to showcase a different side of the YOLANDA OKEREKE brand. It’s about empowerment, support systems, and building tribes. That’s been a personal goal for me – showcasing not just my work as one of the leading costume designers on the continent but also what I stand for.”

What excites Okereke the most about this project is the opportunity to help others break into the fashion world. “The industry has changed significantly since I started, so being able to be a part of a show that creates a platform to give others opportunities excites me considerably, especially on a pan-African platform such as Showmax. It’s also a way of giving back.”

Busola Tejumola: The Visionary Executive 

At the helm of content for Showmax, Dr. Busola Tejumola is responsible for shaping the streaming platform’s bold vision to become Africa’s leading entertainment hub. She is the Executive Head, Content and Channels, West Africa for MultiChoice.

With shows like Style Magnate, she believes that vision is coming to life.

“It’s not just about telling stories—it’s about showcasing the rich diversity of our narratives,” she said. “Style Magnate does exactly that, putting a spotlight on the incredible evolution of the Nigerian fashion industry. We’re witnessing a new wave of designers leading with creativity and innovation, and it’s important that we showcase their talent to the world.”

Tejumola sees the show as part of Showmax’s mission to tell authentic African stories. 

“With Showmax, we’re amplifying these voices and staying true to our mission of delivering authentic African stories. Style Magnate provides emerging talents with a platform to display their creativity and gives them the opportunity to make their mark on the global stage. Sharing the journeys of these Magnates is something only Showmax can do – and we’re proud to champion that.”

She described Style Magnate as a show that not only diversifies Showmax’s content but also sets a new entertainment standard. By blending creativity, innovation, and culture, it offers viewers an engaging behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and successes of young African designers, a first for Nigerian reality TV.