Nigerian Women Are Dressing Against the Code
Two decades ago, Y2K marked one of the most expressive moments in Nigerian fashion, shaped by the rise of internet culture and the influence of Nollywood. Visibility, then, felt intentional and confident rather than excessive. A version of that sensibility has returned, carried by a generation that dresses for how it wants to feel rather […]
Hair Culture in West Africa: A Historical and Modern Perspective
Editor’s Note: This feature is part of Guzangs’ ongoing exploration of African hair traditions, tracing their evolution from spiritual practice to global artistry. This installment focuses on West Africa, following Part I, which explored North African hair traditions. Hair in West African cities like Lagos, Accra, Dakar, and Lomé has long been a profound symbol […]
Luxury on Screen: How Fashion is Transforming Nollywood Narratives
When Nigeria’s film industry surged onto the scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it was built on urgency and ingenuity rather than glamour. The budgets were modest, the production schedules tight, and the priorities leaned heavily toward storytelling and distribution rather than elaborate aesthetics. In those days, the idea of hiring a dedicated […]
Beauty in Hard Times: Africa’s Lipstick Effect
What do women hold onto when everything else feels uncertain? Across Africa, one answer rises again and again: beauty rituals. In times of economic pressure, when inflation climbs and currencies wobble, many women continue to invest in small but powerful acts of adornment—braids, gele, fragrance oils, or a few yards of fabric. Economists call it […]
Toni Tones Wanted to Be a Photographer—She Became a Rising Nollywood Star Instead
If there’s a “breakout star of 2025” title, Toni Tones has already claimed it. Best known for her chilling portrayal of young Eniola in King of Boys and her fan-favorite role as Lara Thompson in The Smart Money Woman and Azuwa Studios’ upcoming Lara Unlimited, she’s also lit up screens in the award-winning short Angie’s […]
Inside the Cannes Premiere of ‘My Father’s Shadow’—And What It Means for Nigerian Cinema
There are moments when history happens quietly. Not with fireworks, but with the hush of anticipation and the swell of a violin score in a darkened theater. When My Father’s Shadow premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, it felt like one of those moments. Months earlier, Guzangs ran […]