Mai Atafo

Mai Atafo
Mai Atafo at 2020 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
Born	Ohimai Atafo Ile-Ife, Osun
Alma mater	City, University of London
Occupation	Fashion Tailor

Ohimai Atafo professionally known as Mai Atafo is a Nigerian Fashion Designer known for his brand, Mai Atafo. He underwent training at the Savile Row Academy in Leeds, United Kingdom, to become a skilled tailor. ^{[1] [2]}

Personal life

Atafo was born in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and comes from a family of nine children. ^[3] He is married to Christine Atafo, and they have a child together. ^[3]

Career

Upon his return from the United Kingdom in 2002, Atafo held various positions in the marketing department at British American Tobacco Nigeria. Subsequently, he moved to Guinness Nigeria where he served as a Brand Manager until his resignation in 2010. ^[4]

Before departing from Guinness Nigeria, Atafo established the clothing label Mai Atafo Inspired, ^[5] which garnered attention from celebrities like Omowunmi Akinnifesi, ^[6] Banky W, and IK Osakioduwa. He briefly served as the Fashion Editor for Genevieve Magazine . ^[7]

In 2011, Mai Atafo Inspired introduced a wedding line called "Weddings by Mai". ^[8]

Atafo serves as the Creative Director of Mai Atafo Inspired. Additionally, he holds the role of Strategy Director at the advertising agency Firehouse Group and acted as an emcee for the Miss Nigeria Pageant in 2010. He also heads the Future Awards Central working committee. ^[9]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Result	Reference
2013	Glitz Style Awards	Designer of the Year	Won	[10]
2015	Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week	Menswear Designer of the Year	Won	[11]
2017	Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards	Lifestyle/Style Fashion Icon Achievement	Won	[12]

References

1. "MAI Atafo Inspired Atelier hosts Savile Row Master Tailor | Sartorial Lagos & Stylistas Attend". 13 June 2014.
2. "A celebration of heritage & craftsmanship: Mai Atafo Inspired brings Savile row to Nigeria (PHOTOS) |". www.ynaija.com. Archived from the original on 2014-06-20.
3. "10 Spectacular Things About Popular Stylist And Designer, Mai Atafo". Nigerian Celebrity News + Latest Entertainment News. 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
4. "Coming Soon – musicmeetsrunway". Archived from the original on 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
5. "I quit as a manager in Guinness to go into fashion –Mai Atafo, celebrity clothier". Archived from the original on 2014-07-30. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
6. "BN Bytes: Ex-beauty queen Omowunmi Akinnifesi & Designer Ohimai Atafo emerge as Vanguard Newspaper's "Allure Style Icons" for 2011". March 8, 2011.
7. "Ezinne Chinkata joins the G-team as Fashion Editor | Genevieve Magazine". Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
8. "BN Exclusive: Munachi Abii is "The Bride" – Weddings by MAI – the Dream Wedding | Bella Naija". Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
9. "French Consul-General Francois Sastourne, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Ohimai Atafo, Ndidi Nwuneli, OC Ukeje, others step out as The Future Africa Awards & Summit honours past judges, unveils Advisory Council (PHOTOS) » YNaija". July 11, 2014.
10. "Mai Atafo Wins 'Designer of The Year Award' at Glitz Africa Fashion Week - FAB BLOG". fabmagazineonline.com.
11. Helen, Ajomole (November 1, 2015). "PHOTOS: Maki Oh, Mai Atafo, Others Emerge Winners Of Fashion Award". Legit.ng - Nigeria news.
12. "Fashion Designer, Mai Atafo Wins Lifetime Style and Fashion Icon Achievement". Connect Nigeria. 14 December 2017. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.