In a dazzling display of cultural storytelling, Nigeria’s representative, Tofunmi Adekola, claimed the prestigious Best Carnival Costume award at the 2025 Miss Cosmo Grand Finale & Beauty Music Festival on December 20.
Her winning piece, titled “Omo. Ada Arewa – The Rewoven Mosaic,” was celebrated as a masterpiece of contemporary Nigerian design.
The award was presented by Ms Tran Thi Thanh Thuyen, Director of Operations at Nam A Bank, at the event held in Da Lat, Vietnam. The victory highlights Nigeria’s vibrant fashion and pageantry scene on a global stage, even as the overall title was secured by the United States’ Yolina Lindquist, with the Philippines’ Chelsea Fernandez as first runner-up.
A Costume as Cultural Archive
Adekola’s costume was a profound narrative of Nigerian unity. Designed by Adebayo Adegbe, the Creative Director of Modela Couture, it was conceived as a “woven archive” of the nation’s diverse heritage.
The Foundation: The look began with an Aso-oke and Egungun-inspired skirt, layered for movement and adorned with cowries to invoke Yoruba ancestral spirituality.
A Unified Bodice: The raffia-woven bodice, richly decorated with red coral beads, merged the royal adornment languages of the Benin, Igbo, and Yoruba peoples.
Bridging the North and South: A sculpted raffia basket neck cape, edged with the signature three-colour wool of Northern Nigerian ceremonies, created a symbolic bridge between regional textile arts.
Symbols of Power and Joy: The revered Benin Iyoba head motif symbolised feminine power and guardianship, while a dramatic ruffle paid homage to the energetic style of Calabar’s famous carnival. Golden carnival wings, inspired by the Calabar Carnival’s unifying spirit, completed the majestic silhouette.
Nigeria's Tofunmi Adekola wins Best Costume at Miss Cosmo 2025 in Vietnam
The Visionary Designer: Adebayo Adegbe
The creative force behind the winning costume is Adebayo Adegbe, a multi-talented fashion artist and the founder of Modela Couture.
A science graduate from Lagos State University, Adegbe is a trained model, choreographer, and award-winning designer whose true passion lies in creating avant-garde costumes.
His brand, Modela Couture, is renowned for producing top-quality ceremonial regalia for international beauty queens, films, and carnival bands. Adegbe, who describes himself as a “fashion artist,” prioritises uniqueness and draws inspiration from African arts, crafts, and folklore. His elaborate, mixed-media creations have earned him over 45 awards and have been showcased worldwide, cementing his reputation as a king of costume design.
A Night of Global Celebration
While Adekola’s costume stole a dedicated spotlight, the night culminated with the crowning of Miss USA, Yolina Lindquist, as the 2025 Miss Cosmo. The event, which blends pageantry with a music festival, underscores the growing prestige of the Miss Cosmo brand on the global stage.
