20-year-old fashion sensation Victor Anate, creative director of upcoming fashion brand Vicnate, has taken the fashion world by storm as the co-collaborator for none other than supermodel extraordinaire Naomi Campbell’s much-anticipated collection with PrettyLittleThing. The grand unveiling of this fashion extravaganza took centre stage at New York Fashion Week, turning heads and setting tongues wagging.
A true titan in the world of supermodels, Naomi has now added the prestigious title of “creative director” to her illustrious resume. Together with the ingenious designers Edvin Thompson from Theophilio and Nigeria’s own prodigy, Victor Anate of Vicnate, they seized the spotlight at Cipriani’s, showcasing a breathtaking 70-piece collection. Think mesh minidresses, faux-fur coats, sleek pantsuits, and an array of sparkling accessories that set the runway ablaze.
When the collaboration was first announced, it stirred a cauldron of emotions among fashion and sustainability enthusiasts. They questioned Campbell’s decision to join forces with the fast-fashion juggernaut PrettyLittleThing. But with her keen eye for opportunity, Campbell saw beyond the scepticism. She recognised PLT’s colossal reach, boasting a staggering 18.1 million Instagram followers worldwide, as a vehicle to catapult rising talents like Thompson and Anate onto the global stage. “I met Umar Kamani [cofounder of PrettyLittleThing], and I loved that he embraced that I wanted to work with young emerging talent and share the platform. So here we are!” declared Campbell, her confidence unshaken. Remarkably, this exclusive collaboration offers pieces that start as low as $10, making high fashion accessible to all.
For Campbell, this marked a profound shift from her usual perch in the makeup chair. Instead of savouring the luxury of a model’s life, she devoted her time to ensuring the models were impeccably prepared. “I was worried. I just kept running back and forth, making sure their shoes were comfortable and that their hair was right.” Naturally, Campbell took to the runway herself, bringing the house down with her signature grace and poise.
Victor Anate’s journey to this momentous occasion is nothing short of extraordinary. His meteoric rise began when he secured an internship at ARISE Fashion Week in 2019. The following year, at a mere 18 years old, he emerged as one of the select 30 designers, chosen from a sea of applicants, to shine in ARISE Fashion Week’s ’30 Under 30: The New Stars’ competition. His collection, a bold and sensuous range of eveningwear pieces, left an indelible mark on the fashion world.
In 2023, Vicnate made a triumphant return to the #ARISEFashionWeek runway. His monochromatic collection, which had initially captured the attention of the ARISE Fashion Week team during early fittings, received an unexpected boost when Naomi Campbell herself graced the runway. Anate, still basking in the afterglow of Campbell’s surprise appearance, enthused, “She embodies everything the brand stands for. It felt great seeing one of the most beautiful and powerful women in the world strut down the runway and in one of my personal favourite looks.”
Now, their partnership has reached new heights as Victor Anate steps into the role of co-designer for Naomi’s exclusive new collection with PrettyLittleThing alongside rising star designer Edvin Thompson of Theophilio. The fashion world is watching with bated breath as this dynamic trio continues to redefine the industry.
