Bread dresses and gowns inspired by cathedrals at Nigeria fashion spectacle

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Bread dresses and gowns inspired by cathedrals at Nigeria fashion spectacle10 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleChiamaka EnenduBBC Africa, LagosBBC/GIFT UFUOMAIt is often described as Africa's biggest night in film and fashion. Celebrities, filmmakers and creators arrived at the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) in Nigeria with dramatic trains, sculptural gowns, shimmering fabrics and heavily theatrical designs that once again transformed the event from an awards show into a spectacle of style. Held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, the annual ceremony celebrates achievements in African film, television and digital storytelling, while also serving as one of the continent's biggest cultural showcases where celebrities compete for being best-dressed, as much as they do for awards.

/GIFT UFUOMAActor and event host Simi Drey is draped in starlight, in a dress entirely made from glass designed by OvemsThis year's carpet leaned fully into an excessive display of fashion. Several celebrities walked in with entourages helping carry over-sized outfits through crowds of photographers and screaming fans. Here's a look at some of the most talked-about appearances and moments from the night.

The Details

The red carpet turns into a bakeryBBC/GIFT UFUOMAQueen Mercy Atang in her dress made of breadReality TV star Queen Mercy Atang arrived in one of the evening's most attention-grabbing looks, a dress, she said, was made from more than 500 loaves of bread. Surrounded by two maidens carrying trays of bread, several assistants helping carry the outfit across the carpet, Atang struggled to move freely. Speaking to the , she said the outfit was designed to promote her bread-baking business and insisted the appearance was intentional marketing rather than shock value.

"What other place is better to advertise my business than the AMVCA? The dress was designed by the iconic Toyin Lawan of Tiannah's Empire, who commented on Instagram that she's beginning a trend of "everyone wear your business". The look immediately became one of the night's biggest social media talking points.

Some social media fans hailed the design describing it as "a true definition of carrying your business on the head". However, not all fans were impressed. Some said the display represented a waste of food, a suggestion the reality TV star rejected.

Nana Akua Addo arrives dressed like a cathedralBBC/MOBOLAJI OLATUNDEThe dress inspired by Cologne Cathedral in GermanyGhanaian fashion star Nana Akua Addo lived up to her reputation for dramatic AMVCA fashion moments with a silver architectural dress inspired by Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The heavily structured outfit featured hand-painted window-like details, cathedral-shaped extensions and matching silver accessories, while members of her team helped carry sections of the dress. Her designer, Abasswoman, told the the design process began in November 2025 and was only completed two days before the ceremony.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.