The 2026 AMVCA red carpet has seen its share of pageantry. But a reigning queen arriving in her official crown, sculpted gold flowers and a cathedral train? That belongs to Damilola Bolarinde – and the rising luxury house Imanii du Soleil.
Styled by Yomo Daj, shot by Tosin Junaid with creative direction by My Sway by Rose, Damilola did not simply attend the AMVCA. She descended like a coronation editorial.
The Imanii du Soleil masterpiece
The gown is a dramatic black ballgown. The bodice is a strapless, boned black velvet corset, cinched at the waist and dusted with tiny gold crystals at the hip. But the showstopper is the massive, asymmetrical cascade of hand‑sculpted 3D gold flowers erupting from her left shoulder – molten gold orchids that catch light like armour.
The high‑low skirt is pure drama: short and puffed in front to show her legs and gold heels, then dropping into a cathedral‑length, multi‑tiered, ruched black train that pools for meters behind her. And atop it all, she wears her official Miss International Nigeria crown – tall gold with pink gemstones, pearls and spiked details.
‘Black Barbie for AMVCA 2026’
Makeup by @allelbeautyco delivered bronzed skin and soft gold cut‑crease eyes. Hair was styled two ways – soft fringe with tendrils for front shots, sleek topknot for the back. Delicate Swarovski jewellery lets the dress and crown speak.
Damilola, who will represent Nigeria at Miss International in Japan, wrote simply: “Black Barbie for AMVCA 2026.”
Mission accomplished. Imanii du Soleil built armour for a modern African queen.
