Fashion | 29 March 2015 14:33 CET

Fashion matriarchs: Politics meets style

By KEMI LANRE-AREMU AND JAYNE AUGOYE

Behind every successful man is a woman. These women are married to men who are major contenders for the presidential and vice presidential positions in Nigeria. Despite their political affiliations, their styles speak volume

At 58, the First Lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan, might not be an A-list fashionista but since her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn into office, she has not done badly in the style department. Upping the style ante without fail, her fashion is associated with luxury and bespoke brands sourced from the world's fashion capitals.

A native of Bayelsa State, her choice of clothes and accessories do not come cheap. Her mature style is such that sees her settle for traditional attires in different shades and colours. That she loves bold colours is like stating the obvious. Some of her favourite colours as depicted by her style include green, pink, turquoise blue and orange to mention but a few.

While she may not necessarily be a trendsetter, she is not ignorant of the happenings in the fashion world. This and more is made manifest in her dressing.

She does not flaunt an enthusiasm for English wear but on exceptional occasions, she loves to adorn heavily embellished maxi gowns.

Her choice of accessories is bold and she is a lover of diamonds. Her collection of jewellery will make any woman go green with envy and she has them in assorted colours.

Another western trend she is in love with is the use of hats. Over the years, she has been spotted wearing wide-brimmed hats. Her love for sunglasses is unrivalled and it is easy to tell she has them in large numbers.

Most times, she dresses to suit the occasion and allows her figure dictate her style. Not exactly a fan of high-heeled shoes, she prefers to play safe and opts for medium-heeled shoes from the stable of some of the world's renowned shoe designers.

A graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, where she studied for a degree in Biology and Psychology Education, she started her career as a teacher at the Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt.

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