Mai Atafo
Photo: Native and Vogue
Ohimai Atafo, commonly known as Mai Atafo, was born in Ile-Ife, Osun State. Though an indigene of Edo State, he spent most of his childhood in Benin City, Lagos, and London.
Between 2007 and 2010 Mai Atafo established and ran his clothing line, Mai Atafo Inspired (MAI). Mai Atafo Inspired (MAI) specializes in suits for men and glamorous red carpet dresses. His designs are versatile, timeless, notably classicist, but notwithstanding contemporary, clean-cut and urban.
Mai Atafo first major debut was clothing the likes of Omowunmi Akinnifesi (MBGN 2005), Pasuma Wonder and Wale Rubber in the Maiden Edition of the TV Dance reality show “Celebrity Takes Two”. He has since been involved in the second season of “Celebrity Takes Two” clothing Stella Damasus and YemiBlaq and other major TV shows/events like The Future Awards, Hip Hop World Awards, Soundcity Music Video Awards clothing high profile clients such as RazAdoti, Ashionye, and Kemi Adetiba.
In July 2011, he launched a bridal line, Weddings by MAI, with the sole aim of catering to every clothing element of a wedding.
Though Mai Atafo continues to strive as a fashion designer, he still consults as a marketing specialist, fashion editor of Genevieve magazine. Mai Atafo’s success has been recognized with a number of awards including two awards from City People Fashion and Style as Hottest New Designer Male (2009) and Special Recognition for contribution to fashion (2010); Mode Men Magazine Fashion Designer of The Year (2010) Top 10 Best Dressed Men (2010) (2011); FAB Magazine Fashion Brand of The Year (2010). Contribution to fashion recognition by “The Redefinition” Covenant University (2010) Allure Magazine Most Stylish Man of the Year (2011); Thisday Style Top 10 Best Dresses Men (2011), Designer of the Year at the Glitz Africa Fashion Week in Ghana, and recently Creative Entrepreneur Award 2013 Nigeria.
