Serena appears on cover of Essence Magazine wearing a Nigerian-designed outfit

TENNIS star Serena Williams has appeared on the cover of Essence Magazine’s latest issue in a black sleeveless Kimono jacket made by a Nigerian designer Jane Ekanem in a big boost for the Nigerian fashion industry.

Ms Ekanem is a popular Nigerian fashion designer who has styled Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage and other celebrities. In a good promotion for ms Ekanem, Serena paired the Kimono with a floor-length skirt, white shirt, and strappy heels and has raved about how much she loves the design.

According to Ms Ekanem, the Kimono represents light and energy which Serena is known for globally. The kimono featured inked artwork on the lapels by Laolu Senbajo, another Nigerian designer, was also responsible for Serena’s face art on the magazine cover.

Laolu, who is a popular name in the international fashion scene, is also a renowned face artist. He has worked with notable brands like Nike, Bvlgari, Beyoncé, and most recently a Grace Jones-inspired bodysuit for Hollywood actress, Taraji P Henson.

In the cover feature interview, Serena spoke about her take on the fashion world following the launch of her own fashion line in 2018. She spoke about how the outfit she wore was tailored and made here in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria.