Designer Spotlight: Bespoke Suit Maker, Mai Atafo

Mai Atafo is a name to be reckoned with when bespoke suit makers in Africa are the topic of discussion. He launched his line MAI (Mai Atafo Inspired) in 2007, and it specializes in perfectly tailored suits for men, and elegant red carpet dresses for women. His pieces are so distinctly sophisticated; he has garnered a reputation as THE suit maker to the celebs.

You will find his suits and tuxedos on the stylish backs of Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Ik Okasodiuwa, Banky W, Ramsey Nouah, Uti Nwachukwu, Bez, 2baba, D’Banj, Gbenro Ajibade and so on- the best dressed men of the Nigerian entertainment industry; as well as regular Nigerian men with any claim to style.

With his skill, it’s hard to believe Mai Atafo was not making suits from birth. He is from Edo state but was born in Ile-Ife, Osun state; and spent his childhood in Lagos, Benin city and London. He studied Agricultural Economics and Extension in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, and graduated with a Second class upper degree. He holds a Masters degree in Information System and Technology from the City University UK.

In 2002, he returned to Nigeria after almost seven years in the UK. He worked in the marketing department of British American Tobacco Nigeria. In 2006, he left to be Brand Manager of Guinness Nigeria and was working full-time while developing his brand Mai Atafo Inspired. Inspiring innit? He continues even now to consult as a marketing specialist, and also works as an Event Compere.

He resigned from Guinness in 2010 to focus on his fashion career which was blowing up. He sat as Fashion Editor for Genevieve Magazine for a while. In 2011, he launched Weddings by Mai through his parent brand MAI; which makes stunning dresses for brides, bridesmaids and little brides; and suits for grooms and groomsmen.

We are here for these suits, people. You can never go wrong with a Mai Atafo suit. Feast your eyes on these gorgeous suits and the men who rock them.