Serena Williams’ look for the cover of Essence Magazine’s latest issue got tongues rolling as the star athlete stuns in a Nigerian made Kimono jacket.
The piece was part of her fashion ensemble for the African-American women magazine cover and it was styled by Nigerian designer, Jane Ekanem. Ekanem is a popular Nigerian fashion designer known for her dashing designs on renowned acts like Yemi Alade and Tiwa Savage to mention but a few.
Raving about her newly achieved feat, Ekanem says that the Kimono represents light and energy which Serena is known to possess. The clothing also features the inked artworks of internationally-acclaimed Nigerian artist, Laolu Senbanjo, who is responsible for the artistic imprints on the lapels of the jacket as well as Serena’s face art on the magazine cover.
Laolu remains a household name in the international fashion scene, having worked with notable brands like Nike, Bvlgari, Beyoncé, and most recently a Grace Jones-inspired bodysuit for Hollywood actress, Taraji P. Henson.
An Jane Ekanem couldn’t help but gosh about working with Serena in an Instagram post where she also explained the process for making the outfit.
NAN reports that the outfit is the latest design in Jane Ekanem’s eponymous brand collection.