What does it take to make an actor look like the character they are playing? Sometimes, it starts with the clothes. This is one of the ideas explored at “From Catwalk to Character: Dressing the Story, Styling the Diaspora,” a session held during the 2026 African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) on Friday, November 6, at Landmark Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Nigerian actress and filmmaker Eku Edewor, American actress and filmmaker Yetide Badaki, and celebrity stylist and fashion curator Kanayo Ebi Akinsola joined fashion journalist and creative director Latasha Ngwube for the conversation, which was about the business of styling, the role of fashion in film, and the growing visibility of African designers around the world.
Ngwube led the questions while the three speakers shared their experiences from different sides of the industry. For Edewor, fashion was part of what drew her to filmmaking in the first place. She said costumes caught her attention because of the amount of thought that went into dressing actors and creating the look of a character.
Edewor also remembered a time when things like makeup and hairstyling were not given much of a budget on film sets, even though audiences noticed them. She spoke about what it takes for fashion designers to stand out in a crowded industry. Her advice was for designers to build an identity that people can recognize.
“If you are a fashion designer, you really need to build your own identity. If you have a strong brand with a clear identity, people will find you,” she said. The actress added that creatives need to trust what they are building instead of constantly doubting themselves.
In her words, “Believe in your talent and in your growth. Everything is already there; you just need to have confidence in your brand and in your abilities. Believe in yourself, believe in your brand.”
Yetide Badaki talked about the other side of the process. She spoke on what it means for an actor to become someone else on screen. The actress shared that her love for storytelling began with the stories her parents used to tell her when she was growing up.
For her, a good performance is one that makes people forget the actor behind the character. One of her favorite compliments, she said, is, “Oh, I didn’t realize it was you.” That is exactly what she wants. She wants the audience to see the character, not Yetide Badaki playing the character, and that is where the work of stylists becomes important.
Badaki said actors have a responsibility to find people like Kanayo Ebi Akinsola who can help bring a character to life through clothing and image.
Akinsola gave the audience a look at what goes into that work from the stylist’s side. When she receives a proposal, she said she first looks at the person behind it. She also considers where the production will happen and the context surrounding the project.
But the job also comes with its own challenges, especially when expectations are high and the money available isn’t much. Akinsola said clients often come with big requests and big expectations, but the budget does not always match what they want.
The celebrity stylist does not limit herself to the biggest fashion names. She said she is open to working with smaller brands if she believes they are right for a particular brief. In her view, people can sometimes overlook really good brands simply because they do not have enough visibility.
That is where relationships come in. Relationships are important in the fashion and entertainment industries, Akinsola said. Knowing the right people, understanding their work, and knowing which designer could work for a particular client or project can make a big difference.
AFRIFF 2026 came to an end on Saturday, November 7, with the AFRIFF Globe Awards, hosted by Osas Ighodaro and Keturah King at Lagos Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. Sessions like “From Catwalk to Character: Dressing the Story, Styling the Diaspora” were part of what made this year’s festival memorable.
The session also looked at what happens when African fashion meets global celebrity culture, showing how African fashion, film and talent continue to find their place on a much bigger stage.
