Six years after becoming the first woman to win Big Brother Naija, Mercy Eke steps onto the cover of EscapeMag Issue 15 with a fashion story that reflects how far she has come. Every frame feels intentional, presenting a woman whose success has continued long after the applause faded.

The editorial arrives with a clear message. Fame may introduce the world to someone, but consistency is what keeps them relevant. Mercy’s journey from reality television to entrepreneur, businesswoman, and brand builder quietly sits behind every look in this cover story. You can see it in the confidence, the posture, and the styling that never feels forced.

The opening black ensemble immediately commands attention. Layers of feathers flow across the silhouette while delicate lace softens the dramatic texture. The wide-brim hat adds an old Hollywood feel, giving the outfit an air of mystery and quiet confidence. It is the kind of look that doesn’t compete for attention because it already owns the room.

The editorial then moves into rich chocolate tones with a sculpted gown that celebrates craftsmanship. The corset creates clean definition through the waist, while oversized sleeves introduce bold volume across the upper body. The gathered skirt adds movement without taking away from the fitted silhouette. Every detail works together to celebrate the beauty of structure, proving that dramatic fashion can still feel elegant.

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The final look delivers a striking finish. Bright red takes over the frame through a sharply tailored design featuring sculptural shoulders, crystal embellishments, and a statement peplum that creates a powerful shape. The matching oversized hat completes the look with confidence, while the vertical crystal details running through the skirt draw the eye downward, adding length and balance. It is bold, glamorous, and unapologetically feminine.

One of the strongest elements throughout the editorial is the attention to silhouette. Each outfit explores volume in a different way. Feathers create movement, sculptural sleeves build presence, and architectural tailoring shapes the body with precision. The result is a fashion story that feels dynamic from beginning to end.

The beauty direction also deserves recognition. Soft glam makeup, sleek hairstyles, and understated accessories allow every outfit to remain the centre of attention. Nothing distracts from the clothes, yet every styling choice contributes to the overall mood of the editorial.

There is also a thoughtful progression in colour. Black introduces quiet confidence. Brown reflects refinement and maturity. Red closes the story with bold energy and authority. The transition feels natural, almost like turning the pages through different chapters of Mercy Eke’s life.

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Fashion has always been about more than beautiful clothes. It has the power to document personal growth, celebrate identity, and communicate success before a single word is spoken. That is exactly what EscapeMag Issue 15 achieves with Mercy Eke.

This cover is not asking people to remember who Mercy Eke was in 2019. It presents the woman she is today. A woman who stayed focused, built her own path, and now wears every achievement with the same confidence she wears couture. That quiet evolution is what gives this editorial its lasting impact.

See more stunning look below

Photo: @officialmercyeke | Instagram

Long before motherhood, Veekee James had already earned a reputation for her high fashion sense. So, Following her fashion journey has been interesting because she has never settled for ordinary. While trends come and go, she continues to lean into pieces that feel fresh today and will still look beautiful years from now.

Since becoming a mum, that signature style has not taken a back seat. If anything, it has become even more refined. She is choosing pieces that feel bold, timeless, and effortless all at once. Every new look adds another chapter to what is becoming one of her strongest fashion seasons yet.

Her latest appearance continues that story. Instead of a dress that everyone expects for an evening outing, she reaches for a sculptural pleated top that instantly changes the conversation. It has volume, movement, and enough personality to stand on its own. The black flared trousers were a thoughtful choice because they allow the top to breathe instead of competing with it. Sometimes the smartest styling decision is knowing when to hold back.

Even the accessories follow the same rhythm. The woven pink clutch picks up the brightest tone from the top, while the gold jewellery adds warmth without stealing the spotlight. Nothing feels random, and that is often the difference between getting dressed and truly styling an outfit.

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You can picture this look into an exclusive dinner, a fashion launch, a gallery opening, or an intimate celebration where people appreciate good style. It has presence without feeling too formal, and it leaves enough room for confidence to be the loudest accessory.

Watching Veekee James dress these days feels like watching someone who knows exactly who she is. Motherhood has not changed her love for fashion. It has simply given her a new season to express it, and she keeps doing it with the same confidence that made people fall in love with her style in the first place.

Scroll below to see more stunning look

photo: @veekee_james | Instagram

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There was a time when enrolling in fashion school was seen as the first and most important step toward becoming a fashion designer. It was where aspiring designers learned how to sew, draft patterns, understand fabrics, and build the technical foundation needed to succeed in the industry. For many people, earning a certificate from a respected fashion school was almost a badge of credibility.

Fast forward to 2026, and the fashion industry looks very different.

Today, someone can learn pattern making on YouTube, watch masterclasses from international designers, use artificial intelligence to generate design ideas, take online fashion business courses, and even build a clothing brand from a smartphone. Knowledge is no longer locked inside classrooms, and opportunities to learn have never been more accessible.

That has sparked an important conversation within the industry. If so much information is available online, is fashion school still worth it the time and money?

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The answer is yes, but only if you understand what fashion school can and cannot do for you.

Fashion School Is No Longer the Only Way to Learn

One of the biggest changes in the fashion industry over the past decade is how people acquire skills. Years ago, your options were limited. You either attended fashion school or found an experienced tailor or designer willing to train you. Today, the internet has changed that completely.

A determined learner can spend months studying garment construction, pattern drafting, textile knowledge, and fashion illustration without paying tuition. Platforms like YouTube and online learning websites have opened doors that were once closed to many aspiring designers.

However, access to information is not the same as mastering a skill. Watching someone sew a dress and actually producing a perfectly finished garment are two very different things. Fashion remains a practical craft, and practical skills are often developed through repetition, correction, and hands-on experience.

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That is where fashion school still has an advantage.

Fashion School Offers More Than Technical Skills

Many people assume fashion school exists only to teach students how to sew. In reality, a good fashion school does much more than that.

Students learn why certain techniques matter, how different fabrics behave, how garments are constructed for durability, and how to solve problems that arise during production. They work under deadlines, receive constructive criticism, and improve through continuous practice.

These experiences are difficult to replicate when learning alone.

An experienced instructor can identify mistakes that a beginner may never notice, while classmates often expose students to new ideas, different approaches, and healthy competition. Those interactions help shape not just better designers but more disciplined professionals.

For many aspiring designers, that structured environment becomes just as valuable as the lessons themselves.

The Fashion Industry Has Changed Faster Than Fashion Schools

While fashion schools continue to play an important role, the industry they prepare students for has changed dramatically.

Running a fashion business in 2026 requires much more than making beautiful clothes. Designers are expected to create content for social media, respond to customers online, accept digital payments, manage orders efficiently, understand branding, and market themselves in an increasingly competitive environment.

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Artificial intelligence has also entered the conversation. Designers now use AI to brainstorm concepts, generate mood boards, write marketing copy, and organise content for their brands. Technology has become part of the creative process, whether designers choose to embrace it or not.

Unfortunately, many fashion schools still spend most of their time teaching technical skills while giving far less attention to the business side of fashion.

That creates a gap between education and reality. Graduates may leave school knowing how to construct excellent garments but struggle with attracting customers, pricing their work, or growing a profitable brand.

A Certificate Alone Is No Longer Enough

The fashion industry has also changed the way it evaluates talent.

Years ago, where you studied often carried significant weight. Today, many employers and clients are far more interested in what you can actually produce.

A strong portfolio, excellent craftsmanship, creativity, and consistency usually matter more than the certificate hanging on the wall. Customers rarely ask where a designer studied. They care about whether the outfit fits perfectly, arrives on time, and meets their expectations.

Social media has accelerated this shift. Designers now showcase their work directly to thousands of potential clients, allowing their finished garments to speak louder than their qualifications.

That does not make certificates irrelevant, but it does mean they are no longer enough on their own.

The Most Successful Designers Never Stop Learning

Perhaps the biggest misconception about fashion school is that graduation marks the end of education. The reality is quite different.

Fashion changes constantly. Trends evolve, customer preferences shift, new technologies emerge, and business strategies continue to develop. Designers who stop learning often find themselves struggling to keep up with an industry that never stands still.

The most successful fashion entrepreneurs continue learning long after they leave school. They attend workshops, study international fashion markets, follow emerging technologies, experiment with new techniques, and constantly improve both their creative and business skills.

Whether someone started in fashion school, learned through apprenticeship, or taught themselves online becomes less important than their willingness to keep growing.

So, Is Fashion School Still Worth It?

The answer depends on what you expect from it.

If you believe fashion school alone will guarantee a successful career, you are likely to be disappointed. The industry has become too competitive and too dynamic for technical skills alone to be enough.

However, if you see fashion school as a place to build a strong technical foundation while understanding that you must continue learning about business, marketing, technology, and customer experience, then it remains one of the best investments you can make.

Fashion school is no longer the only path into the industry, but it is still a valuable one.

In 2026, the designers who stand out are not necessarily those with the most certificates or the largest social media following. They are the ones who combine craftsmanship with curiosity, creativity with business knowledge, and traditional skills with modern technology.

The future of fashion belongs to designers who understand that learning does not end when they leave the classroom. It simply takes on a different form.