Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa’s biggest celebrities are in Johannesburg for the premiere of the third season of the popular Netflix series: Bridgerton.
The premiere event was well attended by African entertainers, music stars, thespians and influencers who had turned up to the beautiful city of Johannesburg to show off their vintage imperial outfits to the theme of the event: Regency Era Splendour: Into The Spotlight. The hosts for the event were KieKie from Nigeria and South Africa’s Tumi Powerhouse.
This premiere event is the second collaboration between Netflix Naija and Netflix South Africa, to create a buzz for an upcoming Bridgerton series.
For the third season, Netflix will release the first part of the series on May 16 and the second part on June 13. This season will be all about Penelope, the shy wallflower, and her long time crush, Colin Bridgerton (whom she has allegedly given up on) banding together to marry her off to a suitable man.
Now, while most of the celebrities I saw on the red carpet premiere of the fan-loved show did not seem to have done their Bridgerton assignment before attending the event, they did slay the red carpet.
Some of the Nigerian celebrities who flew in to South Africa for the prestigious event included: Taymesan, Priscilla Ojo, Chidi Mokeme, Lilian Afegbai, Osas Ighodaro, Kehinde Bankole, Swanky Jerry, Idia Aisien, Hilda Baci, Sharon Ooja, Kunle Remi, Kim Oprah and Ebuka.
Different forms of draping, tight corsets, multilayered skirts and dresses, dapper suits and top hats seem to be the favored dress theme at the event.
Now without further delay, I bring to you the Nigerian celebrities’ looks at the South African Bridgerton premiere:
Priscilla Ojo:
I think everyone should know by now that whenever this actress and social media influencer is invited to walk the red carpet, she doesn’t play around. The stunning ‘Diamond of the Season’ wore a custom XBL turquoise Victorian ball gown and hat, featuring puffy sleeves, frills, lace and satin. Although the entire look is striking, her outfit did not quite stick to the theme because of her Victorian-like corset.
Taymesan:
This Nigerian actor and podcast host stepped out to the red carpet looking like a dapper duke in a bespoke T. I. Nathan dark blue and white corduroy suit and black trousers. In accordance with the theme, he accessorized with a black top hat, golden-headed black staff, black knee-high boots, silver brooches and blue-toned ringlets.
Sharon Ooja:
Everyone’s favorite girl, Sharon looked glorious in her purple corseted gown with frills but she did not keep to the theme like she did last year. I do not like this asoebi looking fit, and given that I was looking forward to Sharon slaying like she had previously done, I was sorely disappointed.
Ebuka:
Beloved TV Host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu ate and left no crumbs at the red carpet premiere. The well-known ‘fashion killer’ slayed the theme with his custom white Deji and Kola suit and top hat. He had accessorized with a monocle attached to a silver chain, silver ringlet, bracelets and brooch. To tie up the whole look, Ebuka wore a silver-toned shoe with white socks.
Hilda Baci:
This former Guinness World Record holder showed up to the Bridgerton event wearing a bespoke Liv and Eve lavender ball gown featuring frills, organza and flower petals in the green and purple shades. This was a lovely look on Hilda but overall, the attire gave a Disney Princess vibe instead of the Regency theme given.
Lillian Afegbai:
Lilian was the picture of regal in her stunning multi-coloured ball gown at the red carpet. The gown featured red and brown bows, blue- brown lace and balloon sleeves. She opted for gold accessories and topped off the gorgeous look with a dainty gold crown. Though not quite sticking to the theme, she did stun me with her looks.
Osas Ighodaro:
The popular actress chose to show out in a custom XBL( Xtra Brides Lagos) lace peach top and silk skirt. The look featured a frilly shoulder pad of the same color and a greenleaf/peach flower pattern running down the middle of her top. I don’t quite know what to make of Osas’ outfit but I love the simplicity and the idea of it.
Chidi Mokeme:
Chidi was another celebrity that dressed in a white Deji and Kola suit for the occasion. The most striking thing about his fit for me was his brown coloured boots which were not a bad combination altogether. Kudos to Chidi for keeping to the theme.
Idia Aisien:
Idia chose to go the cultural route for this prestigious occasion by incorporating her Edo roots into the theme of the event. Did it turn out okay? I’ll leave you, my dear reader, to answer that question but the tightly cinched waist is more Victorian-era than Regency.
Kehinde Bankole:
Out of all the outfits I saw at the Bridgerton red carpet, Kehinde’s outfit was the most interesting to me. The custom Yusuf Motunrayo ball gown was made up primarily of teal coloured satin, lace and rosettes. Did it stick to the theme? Yes
Kunle Remi:
This popular actor shocked Nigerians when he stepped out to the red carpet wearing a purple Agbada with gold embroidery complete with black cap, neck beads, shoes and staff. This look was obviously nowhere close to the stipulated theme but Kunle does deserve some accolades for promoting the Yoruba attire to a new audience.
Kim Oprah:
Kim Oprah looks to be the best dressed star at the Bridgerton event but she didn’t fully stick to the theme as her outfit was something out of the Victorian era and not during the Regency.
According to Kim, the outfit was inspired by one of Lady Danbury’s outfits in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story which was a prequel spin-off of the Bridgerton series. The custom ball gown was made and styled by Makililo Nelson a.k.a Maklin Scout and features lacy frills, silver embroidery and a beaded white lace hand fan.
KieKie:
The red carpet host, KieKie’s corset is what a Regency-era corset should look like. I loved her golden ball gown and the apt embellishments used. I also liked that she didn’t do too much with her accessories and simply let her ball gown rightfully take the spotlight.
I think I like Kim Oprah’s corseted outfit more
Yes, her outfit is stunning.
hmmmm, seems like the Victorian Era has better outfits then cus Kim and Priscilla ATE
Yes, their outfits were stunning but it didn’t keep to the Regency-era theme. In that era, the focus was more on ‘uplifting’ the bust and less on outlining the waist and hip.
Kim Oprah and Kehinde Bankole ate in my opinion. All in all, this was a good read because now you’ve spiked my interest to know more about Victorian and Regency look
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed reading it
KimOprah, Lily Afegbai and Priscilla’s outfits did it for me Regency-era or not. I just feel that a Regency-era outfit might not give that added oomph! to the premiere
This was interesting to read????
That was definitely an ‘aso-ebi’ looking outfit on Sharon
Thank you for reading! That outfit broke my heart
Priscilla Ojo winsbest dressed female in my opinion and Taymesan is my best dressed male. Everybody looked so fine and clean that it was a bit hard to choose from.