The Most Iconic AMVCA Red Carpet Fashion Moments

Published: May 4, 2026 Last Updated 1 hour ago by Esther Ejoh

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have grown into a significant cultural event since 2013, recognized as the leading fashion showcase in African entertainment. Frequently referred to as “Africa’s Met Gala” or the “African Oscars,” the AMVCA red carpet brings together Nollywood’s top talent, reality TV personalities, and fashion designers to set new industry standards.

While the awards honor cinematic achievements, the Best Dressed award, introduced in 2020, has become nearly as prestigious as the acting categories. Selected through an online public vote and accompanied by a cash prize, this recognition has encouraged celebrities to embrace bold, innovative, and culturally significant fashion choices.

Below is a summary of each major celebrity and notable looks that have shaped AMVCA fashion history. 

Mike Edwards in a Renaissance-inspired ruffled ensemble at the 2020 AMVCA

Mike Edwards arrived on the red carpet looking like a Renaissance prince charming brought to life. His outfit featured dramatic ruffled sleeves that added volume and romance to his silhouette. Gold trimmings ran throughout the ensemble, catching the light with every step he took.

The combination of historical European elegance with African confidence made his look instantly unforgettable. He truly earned the title of the inaugural Best Dressed award which he won alongside Mercy Eke.

Mercy Eke in Valdrin Sahiti at the 2020 AMVCA

Mercy Eke stole the show in a high-slit satin gown designed by Valdrin Sahiti. The dress hugged her curves perfectly before cascading into a flowing train. The high slit extended daringly up her thigh, offering glimpses of her legs with each stride.

 

The satin fabric had a lustrous sheen that glowed under the red carpet lights, making her appear almost ethereal. She shared the Best Dressed title with Mike Edwards.

Timini Egbuson in Swanky Jerry at the 2021 AMVCA

Styled by the legendary Swanky Jerry, Timini Egbuson said no to boring suits. His winning look consisted of a bedazzled blazer covered in shimmering embellishments that reflected light like a disco ball.

But the real surprise came below the waist: he paired the blazer with a pleated skirt layered over tailored trousers. This gender-fluid, maximalist approach to menswear broke every rule and won him the trophy alongside Nancy Isime.

Nancy Isime in Valdrin Sahiti at the 2021 AMVCA

Nancy Isime arrived as a goddess descended from African mythology. Her dress, also by Valdrin Sahiti, was completely decked out in cowrie shells, an ancient symbol of wealth, fertility, and spiritual protection in many African cultures.

The shells were meticulously hand-sewn onto the fabric, creating texture and movement. The gown’s silhouette was statuesque, and the overall effect was both culturally reverent and high fashion.

Osas Ighodaro in Veekee James at the 2022 AMVCA

Osas Ighodaro had our jaws on the floor in this Veekee James creation. The dress was a masterpiece of beading: thousands of tiny glass beads and sequins were arranged in delicate patterns that seemed to flow like water over her body.

The beading was perfectly placed; fragile, beautiful, and time-consuming to execute. The gown featured a dramatic train and a sheer mesh bodice that showed just enough skin while remaining elegant.

Enioluwa in Orange Culture at the 2023 AMVCA

Enioluwa won the Best Dressed award wearing an exquisitely beaded blazer and matching pants from Orange Culture. The blazer was completely covered in multicolored beads arranged in abstract patterns that caught the light from every angle.

Rather than traditional trousers, the influencer wore wide-legged, flowing pants that moved gracefully as he walked. His look blurred the lines between masculine and feminine, formal and festive.

Beauty Tukura in Dahmola at the 2023 AMVCA

Styled by Dahmola, Beauty Tukura channeled a flamboyant peacock in her winning dress. The gown featured layers upon layers of ruffled fabric in shades of teal, emerald, sapphire, and purple, mimicking the iridescent feathers of a peacock’s tail.

The dress had a fitted bodice that flared dramatically at the hips, creating a voluminous silhouette. As she turned, the different colored layers revealed themselves one by one.

Beauty Tukura in Emagine by Bukola at the 2024 AMVCA

Beauty Tukura made history by winning Best Dressed for the second consecutive year. Her 2024 look was an avant-garde soft pink gown by Emagine by Bukola. Unlike the loud, colorful peacock dress of the previous year, this look was all about structure and subtlety. The soft pink hue was pale and almost neutral.

The gown featured exaggerated architectural elements: sculptural sleeves, a dramatic neckline, and a train that spread out behind her like a pool of blush-colored liquid. It proved that sometimes, quiet elegance speaks louder than maximalism.

Adesua Etomi in Matopeda Atelier at the 2022 AMVCA

Adesua Etomi’s dress achieved an exquisite, well-graded look. The hand-beaded gown came from Matopeda Atelier’s Iluminar bridal collection. It featured a gradient of yellow, red, and orange hues that transitioned smoothly from one color to the next.

The beads caught the light differently depending on the angle, creating a shimmering, sunset-like effect.

Bonang Matheba in Sheye Oladejo at the 2022 AMVCA

Bonang stunned in four different pieces at the 2022 AMVCAs, but one outfit remains unforgettable: a peach dress designed by Sheye Oladejo. The gown featured pearls cascading down the bodice, a flowing shawl draped over one shoulder, a flattering silhouette that cinched at the waist, and a mesh corset that added structure.

Stylist Damola Adeyemi deserved accolades for pulling together every element into a cohesive masterpiece.

Erica Nlewedim in Patrycja Kujawa at the 2022 AMVCA

Erica employed the expertise of Polish designer Patrycja Kujawa to create a twist on their exclusive floating draped dress.

The intricacy behind the dress alone was enough to steal the show: layers of fabric appeared to float around her body without fully attaching. A detachable train made the look even more majestic, allowing her to remove it for mobility after photos.

Idia Aisien in Ceo Luminee at the 2022 AMVCA

Speaking of iconic fashion moments at the AMVCAs, Idia Aisien gave us another interpretation of the word. She wore a mermaid-cut dress with a giant bow on her neckline.

Styled by Swanky Jerry and designed by Ceo Luminee, the combination pulled off maximalism with ease. The bow was oversized, dramatic, and impossible to ignore, yet the rest of the dress remained sleek and body-hugging.

Kie Kie in Valdrin Sahiti at the 2022 AMVCA

Pictures do not do this Valdrin Sahiti dress justice. Known for intricate cuts and the use of jewels, Valdrin Sahiti went above and beyond for Kie Kie.

The way the jewels dropped from her shoulders down to the hem, the silhouette that hugged every curve, and the choice of accessories all worked in harmony. She was not there to play.

Nana Akua in Gaurav Gupta at the 2022 AMVCA

Nana Akua is fashion personified. This Gaurav Gupta dress was sculpted for the gods. The Indian designer’s signature sculptural shapes were on full display: rigid, curved structures that seemed to defy gravity.

Nana looked every bit of a living doll, with the dress appearing to float around her rather than sit on her body.

Nse Ikpe-Etim in Toju Foyeh at the 2023 AMVCA

There is something about the overall vibe of Nse’s outfit that screams Queen. The purple-toned theme transcended from the color of the dress to the choice of blush makeup and even her hair color.

Styled by Nenji and designed by Toju Foyeh, every element was monochromatic in the most regal way possible.

Sharon Ooja in Sheye Oladejo at the 2022 AMVCA

Despite being a two-piece from Sheye Oladejo, Sharon Ooja‘s outfit deserves a spot for its ethereality.

The fabric texture was soft and flowing, the embellishments added just enough sparkle, and the rosettes, fabric flowers scattered across the pieces, took the outfit to the next level. The overall styling was thanks to her longtime stylist, Damola Adeyemi.

Tacha in Xtrabrides Lagos at the 2022 AMVCA

Xtrabrides Lagos pulled all the stops for this outfit. Everything from the hairstyling choice to the layers that transitioned into a train and the studded embellishments was perfectly put together for the BBNaija star, Tacha.

The dress had a dramatic, almost architectural quality. As usual, Medlinboss did what had to be done.

Toke Makinwa in Gert-Johan Coetzee at the 2022 AMVCA

Every year at the AMVCA is an opportunity to watch Toke Makinwa slay. While many of her dresses could have made this list, this Gert-Johan Coetzee dress is the people’s favorite.

The draping alone shows the craftsmanship: fabric folded and tucked in ways that created volume and shape without adding bulk.

Lillian Afegbai in Nonnistics Fashion at the 2018 AMVCA

This dress was as scandalous as scandalous could ever get at a Nigerian award show at the time, yet it was still a slay.

The mesh dress by Nonnistics Fashion fit Lillian Afegbai to the letter. The fabric choice was the most brilliant part: sheer mesh panels revealed her figure while strategic opaque sections kept it just on the right side of revealing.

The AMVCA serves as both an economic and cultural catalyst. According to the BHM Research & Intelligence AMVCA Impact Report, the film sector has attracted over $9 billion in investment over the past decade, with 61.9% of industry professionals attributing this growth in part to the AMVCA. The event has also facilitated the creation of over 27,000 jobs, particularly in fashion, styling, photography, and design.

Designers such as Veekee James, Valdrin Sahiti, Mai Atafo, and Ceo Luminee have leveraged the AMVCA runway to showcase African craftsmanship on a global stage, demonstrating its ability to compete with and often surpass Western luxury brands. The intricate beadwork on Osas Ighodaro and the structural design of Toni Tones’ custom gown exemplify this exceptional attention to detail.

With sponsors introducing new initiatives and increasing the Best Dressed cash prize, competition continues to intensify. The public voting system ensures that fans play a significant role in shaping fashion outcomes.

The past decade has demonstrated the fearless nature of African fashion. From bold and unconventional to sculptural and historical designs, the AMVCA red carpet continues to reflect Nollywood’s dynamic and stylish evolution.

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