Evans Akere, popularly known as Vanskere,[1][2][3][4] is a Nigerian fashion designer and the founder of the luxury menswear brand, Vanskere.[2][5] Despite not being widely known by his name,[3] his designs and signature style has significantly influenced the landscape of menswear fashion in Nigeria as well as the larger African continent.[6][7][8][9][10][11]
Evans Akere | |
|---|---|
 Evans Akere, founder of Vanskere | |
| Born | Evans Akere |
| Nationality |  Nigeria |
| Alma mater | London College of Fashion, Ambrose Alli University |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Spouse |
|
| Children | 3 |
| Website | https://www.vanskere.com |
Education
editAkere studied law at Ambrose Alli University, and was called to the Nigerian Bar Association in 2003. He also studied Luxury brand management and product design at the London College of Fashion. He recently completed a program at UAL: University of the Arts London.[12][13]
Career
editDuring his time as a law student, he found it difficult to fit in due to his elaborate style of dress. After being walked out of court due to his inability to conform to the dress code,[12] he decided to pursue fashion after his call to the Bar.[14][15]
Akere's first client was his brother, who he lived with at Yaba, Lagos. He started by sketching designs and eventually began making clothes for his brother. His brother's friends became his clients through referrals. Over time, Akere discovered that he was getting more patronage for traditional wears than English wear, leading him to focus on traditional wears.[16][17][18]
Evans Akere has styled several dignitaries, celebrities and influencers such as Mike Adenuga, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Donald Duke, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu,[19] Richard Mofe-Damijo, Bovi, Joseph Benjamin, Julius Agwu and others.[7][20][21][22]
Personal life
editAkere was born in Benin City, Edo State. He is married to Abiemwense Evans-Akere and they have three children. He lives in Lagos with his family.
References
edit- ^ "About Evans Akere". Mbari Uno. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
- ^ a b "BBC Interview With Evans Akere". BBC Pidgin. January 2020. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
- ^ a b "Meet Evans Akere The Man Behind Vanskere". Tribe and Elan. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
- ^ "Evans Akere: Innovating African Traditional Wear". Vanguard Allure. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
- ^ "5 Minute With Evans Akere". Press Reader. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
- ^ "Evans Akere Hosts 4th edition of Vanskere mentorship programme". FashionandCo Everything Fashion and More. 16 November 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
- ^ a b "Evans Akere Showcases at the International Fashion Festival in Togo". FashionEVO. March 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ^ "BNStyleWithAStory: Here Are Evans Akere's Top 9 Tips On Running A Fashion Business". Vanskere Journal. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
- ^ "How Vanskere Designs Communicates Modest Glamour and Class". Vanskere Journal. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
- ^ "Designer behind menswear luxury brand Vanskere adds another year". Mordern Ghana. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
- ^ "CEO Vanskere Fashion Brand, Evans Akere Adds Another Year". Glamtush is a fashion, beauty and lifestyle online magazine. We bring to you latest trends in fashion, beauty and lifestyle as well as those making the fashion world interesting and adorable. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
- ^ a b "From lawyer to designer: The unusual odyssey of Evans Akere, creative director, Vanskere Label: Law is my background, but fashion is in my blood". The Laurel. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Evans Akere: The Fashionpreneur who Makes Africa's Coolest Trad Wears". Business Elites Africa a premier source for celebrating African business excellence. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ "Vanskere is diversifying further with the acquisition of 57 Interiors, a Lagos-based interior design company that specialises in made-in-Nigeria furniture". Pulse Africa. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
- ^ "Vanskere to Launch New Branch in Ikeja on December 18". Connect Nigeria. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-14.
- ^ "How Pastor Ighodalo Encouraged Akere To Stay In Fashion Design Industry". BellaNaija Style. May 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
- ^ "How Evans Akere study and interpret trends". Encomium. Retrieved 2015-06-14.
- ^ "Actors Kalu Ikeagwu & Patrick Doyle Star in Vanskere's New Afropolitan Collection". Style Rave. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
- ^ "Ebuka Revolutionized Men's Fashion With Vanskere Iconic Suit". Vanskere Journal. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
- ^ "Patrick Doyle, others unveil Vanskere's Afropolitan SS17 Collection". PM Nigeria Introduced in August 1994 to satisfy a yearning for a fresh, breezy and entertaining afternoon paper in Lagos and its environs, P.M.News is positioned as a paper for everyone. Retrieved 2017-06-27.
- ^ "From Vanskere With Love". The Luxury Reporter. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
- ^ "Meet The Designers Who Have Dressed Ebuka So Far". Net The World's No. 1 Source For African Entertainment. 14 March 2018. Retrieved 2018-03-14.