THEWILL DOWNTOWN, AUGUST 23, 2026

Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

WEAR NIGERIAN The Rise of Homegrown Fashion

Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

CONTENT

EDITOR’S NOTE Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

13 FITNESS

But wearing Nigerian means more than choosing a local label. It means supporting the designers, tailors, artisans, textile makers, photographers, stylists and manufacturers who keep this industry alive. Every locally made piece creates opportunities, preserves skills and helps our creative heritage remain relevant for generations to come.

Our talent is undeniable, but sustaining this momentum will require investment in manufacturing, infrastructure, financing and distribution. I believe the future is incredibly promising because the creativity is already here. As new designers emerge and consumers embrace homegrown labels, Nigerian fashion is becoming a powerful expression of identity, enterprise and creative independence—and the world is taking notice.

Read our ‘Wear Nigerian’ piece on pages 8 to 10.

Refreshing your style does not always require buying something new. Sometimes, the biggest difference comes from wearing, caring for, and combining what you already own more thoughtfully. Before shopping, take another look at your wardrobe. We show you four simple ways men can instantly refresh their wardrobe on pages 4 and 5.

We often grow up believing life has a fixed timetable: graduate, build a career, marry, buy a home and have everything figured out by 30. Then social media amplifies that pressure, turning everyone else’s milestones into a constant reminder of where we think we should be. In this week’s living article, we discuss letting go of unrealistic life timelines on page 17.

15 CULTURE Ways to Refresh 04-05 4Your Wardrobe Men’s Edition

FASHION

07

#UNSHAKABLE TRUTHS

8-10 COVER

11 LUXURY SILK

12

BEAUTY

Untold Truths There Is No Final Version of You

Wear Nigerian The Rise of Homegrown Fashion The Red Trousers Hadn't Changed 5 Unexpected Things That Are Damaging Your Skin

16

Forgotten Cities That Deserve More Attention When Did We All Get the Same Taste?

DÉCOR

Affordable Home Accessories That Make a Huge Difference

17 LIVING

Less Pressure Letting Go of Unrealistic Life Timelines

18 DOWNTOWN ZODIAC

19

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL

20

REVIEW

Virgo The Perfectionist With a Practical Side

It’s Complicated

Spiderman: Brand New Day

WHAT YOU SAID Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm

- Contributing Writer Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.

Issue No. 288 • August 16, 2026

MARIAM TIMMER

I

have always found Nigerian fashion fascinating because it has evolved far beyond traditional dressing and special occasions. Today, our designers are creating work that is luxurious, contemporary, experimental and unmistakably Nigerian. What excites me most is how our identity, once seen as a constraint, has become one of our greatest creative strengths.

14 TRAVEL

The Truth About Spot Reduction & Belly Fat

Building With Purpose

INSTAGRAM

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah

@thatbunmigirl Love!!

@onahluciaa +2348033239132

AUSTYN OGANNAH

Sally Chiwuzie @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind - Contributing Writer Sally Chiwuzie is a non-practising barrister who owns the brand #Unshakable. She is the author of Silent Symphonies, a fictional love story, and the creator of the podcast Chronicles of #Unshakable Truths.

@deyemitheactor

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Executive Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Writers:Dorcas Akintoye, Johnson Chukwueke & Evi-Ben Ezaga Design & Layout: Hogan Effiom Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun, Victoria Dairo & Olamide Abolarin Consulting Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown 36AA Remi Fani-Kayode Avenue, GRA, Ikeja. Lagos, Nigeria. +234 810 345 2286, +234 913 333 3888

Ada Obiajunwa @aaddaahh - Contributing Writer Ada Obiajunwa writes from Lagos about the big truths tucked inside ordinary moments — friendship, self-discovery, and the quiet revolutions of everyday life. She believes in the power of presence, good banter, and decoding the unsaid. Through her fragrance studio, WhiffWonders, she also crafts scents that weave memory and emotion into experiences that feel like home.

@thesophiamomodu

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Issue No. ISSUE NO.289 261••August FEBRUARY 23, 2026 08, 2026

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

FASHION

4

WAYS TO I REFRESH

YOUR WARDROBE MEN’S EDITION

PAGE 4

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE mproving your style does not always mean going shopping.

The difference can come from how you wear, care for, and combine your clothes. Before spending money, understand what you already own. Simple changes can make your outfits look cleaner, smarter, and more put together. Here are four ways men can refresh their wardrobe.

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

FASHION

PAY ATTENTION TO FIT Improve your style by making sure your clothe s fit properly. An expensive shirt, trousers, or jacket will not look good if it is too loose, tight, or long.

Go through your wardrobe and try on your clothes. Check where your shirt shoulde rs sit, how your trousers fal l, and whether your sleev es are too long. If something needs a small adjustmen t, consider getting it altere d instead of replacing it.

A well-fitting outfit can instantly make you look more polished, even if yo u have worn the clothes many times before.

CREATE NEW OUTFIT COMBINATIONS You may have more outfit options than you think. Instead of wearing the same shirt with the same pair of trousers every time, start mixing up the pieces in your wardrobe.Try pairing a shirt you normally wear with jeans with your smarter trousers.

Wear your usual T-shirt under a jacket or an open shirt.You can also change your shoes, belt, or watch to give a familiar outfit a different feel.While doing this, you may discover outfits you never thought would work together.

TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOUR CLOTHES

Sometimes, the pr oblem is not what you ar e wearing but how your clothes look. Rum pled shirts, dusty shoes, loose threads, and faded or stained pieces can make an otherwise good outfit look untidy. Start pa ying more attention to how you care for your clothes.

Iron or steam your shirts before wearin g them. Clean your shoes regularly and rem ove visible stains from your clothes. Check your trousers and shirt s for loose buttons or th reads and fix them. Stor e your clothes properly to avoid rumpling.

IMPROVE YOUR GROOMING Good style is not only about clothes.Your grooming can also affec t how your entire outfit looks. Simple clothes can still look attractive when you are wellgroomed. Keep your ha ir neat and maintain your beard if you have one.

Make sure your nails are clean, and your shoes are presentable.

You do not need a new wardrobe to improve your style. Sometimes, you simply need to use what you already have better.

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Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

#UNSHAKABLE TRUTHS

SALLY CHIWUZIE

UNTOLD TRUTHS @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind

F

There Is No Final Version of You

or a long time, I thought eventually one version of me was supposed to stick; that somewhere along the road I would arrive at the definitive Sally, plant a flag and announce: this is who I am now and forever. I thought consistency was identity.

learn what they came to teach us.

Staying because something remains right, however, is very different from staying because other people have become comfortable with our predictability.

External perception has a peculiar way of freezing us in old photographs.

People remember who we were when they met us, what we believed, tolerated and wanted. Sometimes our evolution unsettles them.

Life apparently did not receive that memo.

I trained as a barrister and have worked in governance, regulation, project management and sales. I became a writer, then an author, built a brand, became a podcaster and columnist. I have created things, managed things, abandoned things and resurrected a few things I was certain had finished with me.

There are other versions too: the mother, the migrant, the runner, the entrepreneur, the King, the woman who thought she knew exactly what she wanted and the woman who later discovered she absolutely did not.

At different times, each identity has felt completely true, and that used to bother me.

Familiarity, however, is not a contract.

We are allowed to gather new information about ourselves. We can discover that a dream belonged to an earlier version, become interested in something unexpected, return to something abandoned or retire an identity that once fitted perfectly.

Most importantly, we are allowed to love the temporary versions too.

years building a career, surely you cannot suddenly want something else. If people know you as one particular person, perhaps you feel you owe them continuity. If you announced a dream loudly enough, abandoning it can feel embarrassingly close to failure.

I wondered whether my restlessness meant I lacked direction. Shouldn't grown adults eventually decide who they are, pick a lane and stay there? Surely repeatedly changing direction suggested something had gone wrong.

Even #Unshakable has taught me otherwise.

Perhaps there was never supposed to be a final version. Perhaps there are only seasons, and every season has work to do.

I used to interrogate those pauses and wonder where the momentum had gone.

The brand has worn several faces. At times it has been louder, more commercial and productled. At others, the podcast became its strongest voice. Writing eventually moved towards the Recently, after an extended period of difficulty, centre. Sometimes the whole thing seemed uncertainty and more introspection than I would almost dormant, quiet enough for me to wonder have voluntarily ordered, I began to see it differently. whether it had lost its pulse.

Some versions of us arrive to build while others help us survive. Some teach confidence, expose weaknesses, make mistakes, fall hopelessly in love or learn how to leave. Others discover that even discipline without flexibility can become another kind of prison.

Eventually, the season changes.

The trouble is that we are often encouraged to treat changing our minds as suspicious. If you spent

Now I wonder whether those periods were not comas at all. Perhaps the brand was simply waiting for me to catch up with the woman I was becoming.

A brand built around a state of mind should probably be allowed to change its mind. So should we.

That does not mean every impulse deserves to become an identity. Reinvention can become avoidance if we constantly run from difficulty.

Some seasons require staying long enough to

ambition matter so much?

I have looked backwards and questioned previous versions of myself.

Why did she stay?

Why did she believe that? Why did that

Increasingly, I think that is an unfair way to remember her. She was working with the information available to her, and she got me here.

Every version does not need to accompany us forever to have served a purpose. Some people enter our lives for a season, so why should our identities be any different?

Perhaps maturity is recognising when a version of yourself has completed her assignment, keeping what she taught you and allowing her to leave without turning her departure into a tragedy.

There is something wonderfully liberating about knowing I have not finished becoming. I do not know exactly who I will be five years from now. I hope she surprises me.

Perhaps the #Unshakable truth is this: there is no final version of you. Every season has something to teach, build, heal or reveal. Honour the person you were, inhabit the person you are and leave enough room for the person you have not yet met.

One day, today's version of you will also become someone you used to be. May you remember her fondly because her work mattered.

‘See’ you next week.

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Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

COVER

WEAR NIGERIAN The Rise of Homegrown Fashion

BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE

T

here was a time when “Made in Nigeria” fashion was largely associated with traditional occasions, elaborate aso-ebi, colourful prints and the skilled work of local tailors. Today, that perception is changing. Nigerian fashion has evolved into a sophisticated creative industry where heritage meets innovation, indigenous craftsmanship meets contemporary design, and local labels increasingly compete for attention in a global market. From Lagos ateliers creating meticulously crafted couture to young designers redefining what Nigerian streetwear and luxury can look like, the country’s fashion story is becoming impossible to ignore.

At the heart of this transformation is a generation of designers proving that Nigerian fashion need not imitate international trends to be desirable. They draw inspiration from indigenous textiles, traditional techniques, Nigerian architecture, music, art, and everyday life, then translate these influences into collections that feel distinctly modern. Their work is not simply about clothing; it is about identity, creativity and the confidence to build a fashion language of our own.

The growth of Nigeria's fashion ecosystem has also created opportunities beyond the runway. Stylists, photographers, models, creative directors, textile producers, manufacturers and fashion entrepreneurs are contributing to an industry that increasingly supports an entire network of creative talent. Meanwhile, Nigerian celebrities and public figures have helped put homegrown labels in the spotlight by choosing local designers for red carpets, premieres, weddings, and major cultural moments.

But beneath the glamour lies a bigger question: what does it really take to build a thriving Nigerian fashion industry? From production challenges and access to funding to the preservation of indigenous craftsmanship and the growing demand for Nigerian luxury, there is still plenty of work to be done.

“Wear Nigerian” explores the people building that future and the ideas shaping it, celebrating a fashion industry that is no longer asking the world for permission to be seen.

Lanre Da Silva — LDA Lanre Da Silva has spent over two decades building a Nigerian fashion label around couture craftsmanship, artistic experimentation and African-inspired design. Founded in 2005, her eponymous Lagos-based brand spans couture, ready-towear, jewellery and accessories, creating an ecosystem that extends beyond occasion dressing. Her collections are recognised for their use of metallic fabrics, lace, vibrant African patterns and historical references, which she transforms into distinctly contemporary silhouettes. Da Silva has also demonstrated that a Nigerian fashion house can operate confidently on an international stage. Her designs have appeared at New York Fashion Week and major African fashion platforms, while the brand has been stocked internationally and featured by Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue. Her journey captures the essence of Wear Nigerian: taking African visual language, refining it through luxury craftsmanship and presenting it as fashion worthy of global attention.

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Lisa Folawiyo

Lisa Folawiyo has become one of the defining names in Nigeria’s luxury fashion story. She founded Jewel

by Lisa in Lagos in 2005, building a label that challenged perceptions of Ankara by transforming the familiar fabric with intricate hand-beading, sequins, crystals and contemporary tailoring. What began as a distinctly Nigerian approach to textile design grew into an internationally recognised luxury brand, now operating under her eponymous name. Her work demonstrates the central idea behind Wear Nigerian: local materials can be reimagined into fashion that feels sophisticated, distinctive and globally relevant. Folawiyo has consistently placed Nigerian craftsmanship at the heart of her creative identity, while presenting it through a modern lens. Her collections have appeared in major fashion capitals and publications, proving that Nigerian heritage can serve as the foundation for luxury rather than merely an aesthetic reference.

Ohimai Atafo — ATAFO Ohimai Atafo represents the evolution

of Nigerian tailoring into a sophisticated luxury proposition. Through ATAFO, which he leads as Chief Creative Officer, he has developed a fashion house spanning bespoke menswear, womenswear, bridal and ready-towear. His strength lies in combining precise tailoring and contemporary elegance with an unmistakable connection to Nigerian dressing traditions. Since launching his bridal line in 2011, ATAFO has expanded its role beyond clothing to become part of some of its clients’ most significant moments, while maintaining an emphasis on craftsmanship, individuality and quality. His standalone collections have further established the brand as a serious player in African luxury fashion. For Wear Nigerian, Atafo represents an important part of the movement: proving that Nigerian-made fashion can compete through construction, creativity and attention to detail while retaining the cultural sensibility that makes it uniquely ours.

Banke Kuku Banke Kuku has built a fashion identity around the idea that Nigerian heritage can be vibrant, luxurious and contemporary at the same time.

Founded in 2011, her Lagos-based label grew from textile design into a luxury lifestyle and womenswear brand distinguished by bold prints, silk, colour and storytelling. Kuku's designs draw from West African culture, Yoruba influences and nature, transforming these references into patterns that feel modern rather than nostalgic. Her commitment to building from Lagos is particularly relevant to Wear Nigerian, as the brand's pieces are designed to connect cultural identity with contemporary lifestyles.

Her international recognition, including being stocked at Galeries Lafayette Doha and collaborations with figures such as Gabrielle Union, has demonstrated the commercial potential of this approach. Yet the foundation remains Nigerian: local creativity, African stories and a Lagos fashion ecosystem capable of producing luxury with its own visual language.

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Adebayo OkeLawal — Orange Culture Adebayo Oke-Lawal has helped redefine what contemporary Nigerian fashion can look like. As the founder, creative director and CEO of Orange Culture, which launched in 2011, he built a label that treats clothing as a vehicle for identity, self-expression and social commentary.

His designs combine Nigerian-inspired prints, colour and African references with contemporary, often androgynous silhouettes, challenging conventional ideas about masculinity and gender.

The brand is also deeply rooted in local production, with its pieces manufactured in Lagos using fabrics sourced from Nigerian makers. Oke-Lawal's international recognition, including a place in the LVMH Prize semi-finals, has helped demonstrate the potential of Nigerian fashion beyond its home market. Yet his significance to Wear Nigerian goes beyond international attention: he represents a generation proving that Nigerian designers can create fashion that is culturally grounded, commercially ambitious and unapologetically modern.

Andrea Iyamah

Andrea Iyamah represents the younger generation of Nigerian designers proving that homegrown fashion can develop a distinctive global identity without losing its cultural roots. Born and raised in Lagos, the designer founded her eponymous label in 2011 while still pursuing her university education. The brand draws heavily on African culture, travel, and nature, translating these influences into bold colours, sculptural silhouettes, modern femininity, and striking resortwear. Its swimwear, readyto-wear and bridal collections have helped establish Andrea Iyamah as a recognisable name in contemporary African fashion, with the designer's work worn by international figures including Michelle Obama, and Ciara.

Yet the label's foundation remains distinctly African. For Wear Nigerian, Iyamah represents the expanding possibilities of Nigerian design: fashion that can emerge from Lagos, speak confidently through its colours and cultural references, and find an audience far beyond Nigeria.

Veekee James

Veekee James represents the new generation of Nigerian designers turning couture into a powerful expression of individuality and ambition. Born in Akwa Ibom and raised in Lagos, she developed an interest in fashion from childhood, learning sewing from her mother, who was also a tailor.

She founded her eponymous brand in 2018, building a reputation for highly sculpted, intricate custom designs that have become favourites among Nigerian celebrities and public figures.

Her work is particularly prominent in bridal, red-carpet and occasionwear, where craftsmanship and dramatic silhouettes take centre stage. Beyond the glamour, Veekee's journey reflects the entrepreneurial possibilities within Nigeria's fashion industry. From learning a practical skill at home to establishing a luxury fashion brand with international aspirations, she embodies the new face of Nigerian fashion: youthful, ambitious, creatively confident and determined to build from home.

Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

COVER Emmy Kasbit — Emmanuel Okoro Emmanuel Okoro founded Emmy Kasbit in 2014 with a vision of using fashion to preserve culture while giving traditional Nigerian textiles a contemporary voice.

Based in Lagos, the brand has become particularly recognised for its use of Akwete, the handwoven textile associated with southeastern Nigeria, alongside other indigenous materials and modern tailoring. Okoro's journey is itself a reflection of Nigeria's evolving fashion industry: he studied computer science, developed his tailoring skills independently and eventually turned a university-era passion into a serious fashion business.

His collections frequently explore Nigerian history and heritage, including recent work inspired by Igbo traditional leadership and King Jaja of Opobo. Through architectural cuts, thoughtful fabrication and cultural storytelling, Emmy Kasbit demonstrates that indigenous textiles don't have to remain trapped in tradition. They can become the foundation for sophisticated, contemporary Nigerian fashion.

Ejiro Amos Tafiri Ejiro Amos Tafiri has built her eponymous label around a simple but powerful idea: traditional African fashion can be reinterpreted without losing its soul. Born in Lagos, Tafiri studied Fashion Design and Clothing Technology at Yaba College of Technology before launching her brand in 2010, following experience with Out of Africa, Zizi Ethnic Clothing and Tiffany Amber. Often celebrated for her mastery of drapery, she combines indigenous fabrics and African dress forms with modern construction, creating sophisticated womenswear that celebrates femininity, individuality and movement. Her Lagosbased fashion house has grown beyond clothing to include a diffusion line and the Ejiro Amos Tafiri School of Design, which trains aspiring fashion professionals. That commitment to education and capacitybuilding makes her especially relevant to Wear Nigerian: she is not only creating Nigerian fashion but helping build the skills and ecosystem needed for the industry to thrive.

Utibe Rone — Yutee Rone For nearly two decades, Utibe Rone

has quietly built one of Nigeria's most recognisable luxury womenswear labels. Her eponymous brand has become synonymous with sophisticated occasionwear, dramatic pleating, fluid draping, rich fabrics and meticulously crafted silhouettes.

Rather than chasing every passing trend, Rone has developed an aesthetic built around elegance, femininity and enduring style, a consistency that has helped establish a loyal clientele among Nigeria's fashion-conscious women. Her designs regularly appear at weddings, red-carpet events and some of the country's most glamorous social occasions, demonstrating the strength of Nigeria's domestic luxury market. As the Nigerian fashion industry becomes increasingly ambitious, Utibe Rone represents an important part of its evolution: a designer proving that a homegrown brand can build longevity, maintain a distinctive identity and create luxury that resonates with Nigerian consumers.

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Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

COVER

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Tokyo James

Iniye Tokyo James occupies an interesting position in Nigeria's fashion story: a British-Nigerian designer who founded his eponymous label in Lagos.

After working in fashion styling, media and creative direction, James returned to Nigeria, where he launched Tokyo James in 2015. His menswear challenges stereotypical ideas of African fashion by combining refined Savile Row-inspired tailoring with Nigerian textiles, local craftsmanship and unconventional design choices.

His Lagos atelier has also demonstrated the possibilities of local production, with weavers, tailors and patternmakers working within the Nigerian creative ecosystem. In 2022, James became a finalist for the prestigious LVMH Prize, further placing his Nigerian-based fashion practice on an international platform. For Wear Nigerian, his story is particularly compelling: he demonstrates that Nigerian fashion can be locally produced, globally ambitious and contemporary without sacrificing its cultural identity.

Bridget Awosika Bridget Awosika represents a refined, modern side of Nigerian fashion—one built around restraint, structure and meticulous craftsmanship. Born in Washington, D.C. to Nigerian parents, she studied Business Management at Howard University before attending Parsons School of Design in New York. Her early professional experience included internships with Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani before she launched her eponymous label in 2008. Today, her Lagos-based brand is recognised for clean lines, asymmetry, fluid draping and architectural silhouettes that challenge the idea that African fashion must always be loud or heavily embellished. Her work has consistently drawn from her identity as an African woman while embracing a sophisticated international design vocabulary. With the brand based in Nigeria and made in Nigeria, Awosika embodies an important dimension of Wear Nigerian: proving that homegrown fashion can be minimalist, luxurious, and globally minded without losing its Nigerian perspective.

Ituen Basi

Ituen Basi is one of the designers who helped change the way Nigerian audiences view Ankara. After studying Theatre Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University and later training at the London School of Fashion, Ituen Bassey established her eponymous label in 2006. Her distinctive approach transformed wax-print fabric into sophisticated, highly crafted garments, often combining Ankara with elaborate embellishment, beads and sculptural details. Her background in theatre also informed her ability to treat clothing as visual storytelling rather than simply something to wear. Over the years, her work has earned major African fashion awards and appeared on international runways, while collections such as Ekemini demonstrated the possibilities of combining Nigerian artistic traditions with contemporary fashion. Basi's contribution to Wear Nigerian is significant because she helped prove that indigenous fabrics could be luxurious, innovative and internationally compelling long before the current surge of interest in Nigerian fashion.

Bubu Ogisi Bubu Ogisi approaches fashion less as clothing and more as a living archive of culture, history and craftsmanship.

The Lagos-based Nigerian designer is the creative force behind IAMISIGO, a label dedicated to preserving ancestral textile techniques while giving them new life through contemporary design.

Founded in 2009 and rebranded in 2013, the brand works with artisan communities across Africa, incorporating indigenous techniques and unconventional materials into limited, highly considered pieces.

Ogisi's work frequently crosses the boundary between fashion and art, producing garments that can feel as much like sculptural objects as conventional clothing.

Her commitment to research, craft and cultural storytelling makes her particularly relevant to Wear Nigerian.

Even as IAMISIGO engages with a wider African creative ecosystem, Lagos remains a crucial base for the brand. Ogisi demonstrates how Nigerian designers can preserve heritage while simultaneously pushing fashion into experimental and unexpected territory.

Sylvia Anekwe & Olivia Okoji Twin sisters Sylvia Anekwe and Olivia Okoji are the creative minds behind Gozel Green, a Nigerian fashion label established in 2010. Raised in Enugu, the sisters grew up surrounded by art, culture and an appreciation for creativity, influences that eventually shaped their shared design philosophy.

Their work is recognised for strong silhouettes, bold colour combinations, contrasting textures, linearity and asymmetry, often balancing femininity with a more assertive visual language. Rather than simply following trends, Gozel Green has built its identity around originality, timelessness and individuality. The sisters' approach also reflects the broader evolution of Nigerian fashion: using local cultural influences as a starting point while creating pieces that feel contemporary and distinctive. Their journey is particularly compelling because it demonstrates how Nigerian fashion can emerge from a shared creative vision and develop into a recognisable brand with its own visual vocabulary.

Nigerian fashion has travelled a remarkable distance. What was once largely viewed through the narrow lens of traditional clothing and occasion dressing has grown into a diverse creative industry capable of producing luxury, contemporary, experimental and commercially relevant fashion. The designers shaping this movement have shown that Nigerian identity is not a limitation; it is one of the industry's greatest creative assets.

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

LUXURY SILK

ADA OBIAJUNWA @aaddaahh

The Red Trousers Hadn't Changed A

da had finally found somewhere to wear the red trousers.

She took them down from the wardrobe.

She put one leg in.

Then tried the other.

It wouldn't go.

Ada pulled.

Stopped.

Tried again.

Same leg first.

As though order had been the problem.

She stood up straighter.

Pulled in her stomach, although her stomach was not currently involved in the dispute.

Tried the other leg first.

No. The fabric gathered somewhere around her thigh and refused to move.

She tugged at the waistband anyway.

Perhaps if she could just get the trousers a little higher, the rest of the problem would somehow resolve itself.

It did not.

She took them off.

Started again.

One leg.

Then the other.

Still no.

There were tops she had forgotten she owned.

A pair of trousers she couldn't remember buying.

A dress she had apparently once spent money on for reasons no longer available to her.

Those were easy.

There were things she hadn't worn in years.

Things that didn't fit.

Things she had moved from one end of the rail to the other often enough to qualify as exercise.

Then came the red trousers.

They should have gone with the others.

She took them down.

Looked at them.

Put them with the pile.

Continued sorting.

A dress could spend months waiting for somewhere with better lighting.

The red trousers had never found anywhere to go.

Ada had bought them because they fit beautifully.

Well-tailored.

The kind of trousers that

Then past it.

There was another one beside it.

She had been keeping that one.

For work?

She wore it anyway.

Nobody asked where she was going.

The meeting started at ten.

Later that evening, the blouse went into the laundry with everything else.

The red trousers stayed.

Every now and then, Ada tried them again.

One leg.

For a moment, she considered whether the trousers had somehow shrunk while hanging untouched in the wardrobe.

She checked the label.

Same size.

Of course it was.

She held the trousers against herself and looked in the mirror.

The red was still right.

The seams still sharp.

They hadn't changed.

That was the annoying part.

Ada had a system for clothes.

There were things for work.

Things for church.

Things for the house.

Things for parties.

Something bought for parties could, after enough time, become perfectly reasonable for dinner.

A dress once considered too much for work could quietly become suitable for a Friday.

Earrings could require dinner.

Then came back.

She picked them up.

Looked at them again.

Hung them back.

She would fit into them again.

That became their new special occasion.

One Tuesday morning, Ada was getting ready for work.

Nothing important was happening.

A meeting at ten.

Something after lunch.

She reached for the blouse she usually wore.

made standing in front of a mirror take slightly longer than necessary.

She had nowhere particular to wear them when she bought them.

That was fine.

Somewhere would come.

So other trousers went to work.

Other clothes went to lunch.

The red ones stayed on their hanger.

Ada never thought of herself as waiting.

She was simply keeping them.

And eventually, somewhere did come.

The trousers just couldn't go with her.

For a while, she considered giving them away.

There were already clothes leaving the wardrobe.

Then the other.

Once, a little further.

Not enough.

Back onto the hanger.

She still couldn't bring herself to give them away.

So they went back among the other trousers.

One morning, Ada opened the wardrobe to get dressed.

Her hand passed the red trousers.

Then stopped.

She took them down.

One leg.

Then the other.

Not yet.

She put them back.

The red trousers swung once on their hanger.

Then stopped.

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Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BEAUTY

5

UNEXPECTED THINGS THAT ARE DAMAGING YOUR SKIN

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

W

hen people think about healthy skin, they usually focus on skincare products. They buy cleansers, moisturisers, serums, and face masks, hoping to achieve clear, glowing skin. While these products can help, they are only one part of the picture. Sometimes, the real cause of skin problems has nothing to do with your skincare routine. Many everyday habits can quietly damage your skin without you realising it. These habits may clog your pores, weaken your skin barrier, or accelerate skin ageing. Even if you use expensive skincare products, these hidden mistakes can keep you from getting the results you want. Let’s show you five unexpected things that could be damaging your skin every day.

YOUR PILLOWCASE Your pillowcase may look clean, but it collects sweat, oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria every night. When you sleep, all of these can transfer back onto your face, especially if you have not changed your pillowcase in several days.

This buildup can clog your pores and lead to breakouts or skin irritation. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, changing your pillowcase at least once a week, or even twice, can help keep your skin cleaner and healthier.

YOUR MOBILE PHONE Your phone goes almost everywhere with you. It touches your hands, bags, tables, and many other surfaces before touching your face. This means it can carry dirt, oil, and bacteria that easily transfer onto your skin.

If you often notice pimples around your cheeks or jawline, your phone could be one of the reasons. Wiping your phone screen regularly and using earphones or speaker mode when possible can reduce direct contact with your face.

YOUR HAIR PRODUCTS Hair oils, leave-in conditioners, styling creams, and sprays can sometimes end up on your skin. As your hair touches your forehead, cheeks, or neck, these products can clog your pores and cause small bumps or breakouts. This is especially common around the hairline, where many people mistake the spots for regular acne. Keeping hair products away from your face and washing your skin after styling can help prevent this problem.

HOT SHOWERS A hot shower feels relaxing, especially after a long day, but very hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils. These oils help protect your skin and keep it soft and hydrated. Without them, your skin can become dry, tight, itchy, and more sensitive. Using warm water instead of hot water and applying moisturiser after bathing can help protect your skin barrier.

TOO MUCH SUGAR What you eat can affect your skin more than you think. Eating too much sugar can damage collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep your skin firm, smooth, and youthful. Over time, this can lead to dull-looking skin and early signs of ageing. Cutting back on sugary drinks and snacks while eating more fruits, vegetables, and healthy foods can help your skin stay healthier and look its best.

Healthy skin is not only about the products you use. Your daily habits matter just as much. Making a few simple changes can protect your skin, improve its appearance, and help you maintain a healthy glow for years to come.

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Issue IssueNo. No.289 289••August August23, 23,2026 2026

FITNESS

The Truth About Spot Reduction & Belly Fat

BY NATO CHIMA

F

or years, people have searched for the quickest way to lose belly fat. Social media is filled with videos promising that a few ab exercises, waist trainers, or fat-burning workouts will melt fat from your stomach in just a few weeks. It sounds appealing, but there's one problem: it isn't how the human body works. One of the biggest fitness myths is the idea of spot reduction, the belief that you can lose fat from one specific area simply by exercising that body part. The reality is that fat loss is a full-body process. Understanding how it works can save you time, frustration, and unrealistic expectations while helping you build healthier fitness habits.

YOU CAN'T CHOOSE WHERE YOUR BODY BURNS FAT

No matter how many crunches or sit-ups you do, your body doesn't decide to burn fat from your stomach first. Fat is gradually lost from different parts of the body, depending on genetics, hormones, age, and overall body composition.

While abdominal exercises strengthen your core muscles, they don't specifically target belly fat.

Sustainable fat loss occurs throughout the entire body, not just in one area.

FULL-BODY WORKOUTS DELIVER BETTER RESULTS

SLEEP AND STRESS INFLUENCE BELLY FAT

Instead of spending an entire workout doing hundreds of sit-ups, focus on exercises that engage multiple muscle groups. Squats, lunges, deadlifts, push-ups, rowing exercises, and brisk walking or jogging burn more calories because they engage larger muscle groups. Combining strength training with regular cardio is a far more effective strategy for reducing overall body fat.

Many people overlook the impact of sleep and stress on their fitness goals. Poor sleep and prolonged stress can affect hormones that regulate appetite and fat storage, making it more difficult to lose weight. Prioritising quality sleep, managing stress through activities like walking or meditation, and allowing time for recovery all support healthier fat-loss efforts.

YOUR EATING HABITS MATTER JUST AS MUCH

PATIENCE BEATS QUICK FIXES

Exercise alone cannot outwork poor eating habits. If your goal is to reduce body fat, your nutrition plays a major role. Eating balanced meals that include lean protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats, while limiting sugary drinks and highly processed foods, creates the calorie balance needed for fat loss.

Fitness begins as much in the kitchen as it does in the gym.

There are no miracle exercises or magic products that eliminate belly fat overnight. Waist trainers, detox teas, and "fat-burning" gadgets often promise fast results but rarely deliver lasting change. The people who achieve sustainable results are usually those who consistently maintain regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and healthy lifestyle habits over time. Progress may be gradual, but it is far more likely to last.

Spot reduction is one of the most persistent myths in fitness, but understanding the science behind fat loss can help you focus on what truly works. Rather than chasing shortcuts, build a routine that combines fullbody exercise, healthy eating, proper sleep, stress management, and consistency.

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Issue No.DOWNTOWN 289 • August 23, 2026 THEWILL • www.thewilldowntown.com

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

TRAVEL

FORGOTTEN CITIES THAT DESERVE MORE ATTENTION

BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE

W

hen people plan their travels, they often gravitate toward destinations that dominate postcards, travel blogs, and social media feeds. Yet some of the world's most fascinating experiences can be found in cities that rarely make the spotlight. Rich in history, culture, architecture, and local charm, these overlooked destinations offer travellers something increasingly rare: authenticity.

Away from crowded attractions and long queues, they provide opportunities to connect with places and people in a more meaningful way. Here are five underrated cities that deserve far more attention than they currently receive.

KOTOR, MONTENEGRO Tucked between dramatic mountains and the Adriatic coast, Kotor feels like a hidden treasure. Its medieval Old Town, winding stone streets, centuries-old churches, and stunning waterfront views create an atmosphere that rivals many of Europe's more famous destinations. While nearby Dubrovnik attracts massive crowds, Kotor remains relatively peaceful and equally captivating.

MATERA, ITALY While Rome, Venice, and Florence dominate travel itineraries, Matera remains one of Italy's most remarkable hidden gems. Famous for its ancient cave dwellings known as the "Sassi," the city combines history, culture, and stunning scenery in a way few places can match.

SALTA, ARGENTINA Often overshadowed by Buenos Aires, Salta boasts colonial architecture, spectacular mountain landscapes, and a thriving cultural scene. It serves as a gateway to some of South America's most stunning natural attractions while maintaining a distinct identity of its own.

GJIROKASTËR, ALBANIA

Often overlooked by travellers exploring Europe, Gjirokastër is a UNESCO-listed city known for its Ottoman-era architecture and stone-roofed houses. Perched on a hillside beneath an imposing castle, the city offers breathtaking views and a glimpse into Albania's rich cultural heritage.

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LUANG PRABANG, LAOS Situated at the meeting point of two rivers, Luang Prabang is a peaceful city filled with golden temples, French colonial architecture, and vibrant markets. Its relaxed atmosphere offers a refreshing contrast to the fast pace of many Asian tourist destinations.

The world's most memorable destinations are not always the ones that appear on every travel list. Cities like Kotor, Gjirokastër, Matera, Luang Prabang, and Salta offer rich experiences, fascinating histories, and unique perspectives that many travellers miss. Sometimes, the best way to discover the world is to look beyond the obvious and give forgotten cities the attention they truly deserve.

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

CULTURE

EZAGA EVI-BEN

WHEN DID WE ALL GET THE SAME TASTE?

S

croll through enough pictures of people's homes, outfits and everyday lives, and something starts to feel familiar.

Different people seem to be making different choices, yet somehow, many of those choices end up looking remarkably alike.

It is not that anyone is copying anyone else. Taste has always come from somewhere.

People pick things up from their families, friends, the places they live, the films they watch, the people they admire and the things they encounter. Those references get taken and made personal. That is part of being human.

same decorative touches too: LED lighting, indoor plants and furniture that all look like they came from the same catalogue. Clothes have followed a similar path. Look at enough people and the outfits blur into a single wardrobe, worn by everyone at once.

Colour is where the shift shows up most clearly.

Photos of homes from a decade or two ago are full of it: bright walls, patterned upholstery, furniture that did not match on purpose. The more recent versions of those same homes are almost always black, white or beige.

But now and then, something happens that makes one wonder how quickly one person's taste can become everyone's.

A musician's fondness for how photos looked on an old iPhone is one example.

It was a simple preference, but before long, the outdated phone was desirable again, discarded one day and sought after the next.

The same thing can be seen in bigger choices, particularly in homes, and in the way people dress. New houses now share a kind of sameness in shape, blocklike structures that look like cereal boxes stacked side by side. Inside, there are the

still ends up looking like everyone else's.

People have always looked to one another for cues about what to want, long before there were screens. What is different now is the speed of it, and how similar so many of us have started to look, chasing the same handful of tastes at once.

In the past, a preference had to travel through friends or neighbourhoods before it became popular. Now it can reach almost everyone within days.

A family's particular habits.

The odd choices that once marked out a generation or a neighbourhood. The small details that made a home or a wardrobe feel like it belonged to someone specific.

These fade quietly. Furniture no longer says much about where someone is from. A wardrobe no longer says much about who raised them. What used to feel personal now often feels current.

Sometimes people genuinely discover something they love.

Sometimes they see something often enough to understand why everyone likes it.

And sometimes, being part of what everyone already knows and likes makes the thing feel even better, simply because it is shared.

None of this happened overnight.

It built up slowly, until choosing colour started to feel like something you had to explain. People who still live with colour and pattern can sometimes be treated as a little behind or a little too much when they have simply kept what so many others have quietly given up.

There is a quieter question sitting underneath all of this. Not just where taste comes from, or how fast it spreads, but when so many of us quietly agreed on what counts as good, what a life worth having is supposed to look like. Nobody remembers voting on it.

Yet each of these choices still feels personal, and

When did we all get the same taste?

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Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

DÉCOR

Affordable Home Accessories That Make a Huge Difference STORAGE BASKETS

Storage baskets help keep your home neat while also looking nice. You can use them to store blankets, toys, books, laundry, or everyday items that often create clutter. A tidy room always feels bigger and more relaxing. Many baskets are made from materials like fabric, plastic, or woven fibres, making them affordable and stylish. They also make it easier to find your things because everything has its own place.

INDOOR PLANTS Indoor plants can make any room feel fresh and alive. Even one small plant can bring natural beauty into your home. Plants also create a calm atmosphere and can make empty corners look more attractive. If you are new to caring for plants, choose easy options that need little attention. You do not need many plants to enjoy the difference they make. A little greenery can brighten your mood and improve the overall feel of your space.

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

A

beautiful home does not always depend on expensive furniture or costly decorations. Sometimes, the smallest and most affordable accessories can completely change the way your home looks and feels. The right items can make your space more comfortable, more organised, and more welcoming without costing too much. Whether you live in a large house or a small apartment, adding a few simple accessories can make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. In this article, we will show you five affordable home accessories that can make a big difference in your home.

THROW PILLOWS Throw pillows are one of the easiest ways to refresh a room. They add colour, texture, and comfort to your sofa, bed, or favourite chair.

If your living room looks plain, a few bright or patterned pillows can instantly make it livelier.

They are also easy to change whenever you want a different style. Instead of buying new furniture, changing your throw pillows can give your space a fresh new look for much less money.

SOFT AREA RUGS A soft area rug can completely change the feeling of a room. It adds warmth, comfort, and style while protecting your floor. Rugs also help define different areas, especially in open spaces. Walking on a soft rug feels much better than stepping on a cold floor. With many affordable designs available, you can easily find one that matches your home.

It is a simple upgrade that makes any room feel cosier and more inviting.

DECORATIVE MIRRORS Decorative mirrors do more than help you check your appearance. They reflect light, making rooms feel brighter and larger. This is especially useful in small spaces that may feel crowded. A well-placed mirror can also become a beautiful decoration on its own.

You do not need a big budget to create a beautiful and comfortable home. Choose pieces that match your style and needs, and you will enjoy a home that feels fresh, organised, warm, and welcoming every single day.

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Issue No. No. 289 289 •• August August 23, 23, 2026 2026 Issue

LIVING

LESS PRESSURE Letting Go of Unrealistic Life Timelines

BY NATO CHIMA

T THE AGE TRAP Age can easily become a measuring stick for success. Turning 25 without a certain salary or reaching 30 without being married can feel like falling behind. But there is no universal age at which everyone is supposed to achieve the same milestones. People start businesses at different ages, change careers in their 30s, find love later, return to school, relocate, or completely rethink what they want. Your age is a fact, not a deadline.

STOP COMPARING TIMELINES Social media makes comparison almost unavoidable. You might see someone you went to school with buying a house while you're still trying to figure out your next career move. Another person is travelling around the world while you're saving for your first international trip. What you don't see is everything happening outside the frame.

Their financial responsibilities, family support, sacrifices, struggles and uncertainties may be completely different from yours.

here is an invisible schedule many of us grow up believing we are supposed to follow. Finish school by a certain age, get a good job, become financially stable, find a partner, get married, buy a house, start a family and somehow have everything figured out before 30. Then social media comes along and makes the timeline even louder, with engagement photos, new cars, business launches, promotions and house keys appearing on our feeds every other day.

The problem is that life rarely follows a schedule.

PROGRESS STILL COUNTS DEFINE YOUR OWN MILESTONES Instead of asking, "What should I have achieved by now?", ask, "What actually matters to me?"

Maybe your current priority is building an emergency fund. Maybe it's learning a new skill, leaving an unhealthy relationship, starting a business, travelling, supporting your family, or simply getting your life organised. These things may not look impressive on Instagram, but they can represent enormous personal progress. Your goals should reflect the life you want, not the life you think you're expected to want.

LEARN TO CHANGE THE PLAN

One of the biggest pressures of adulthood is feeling that changing your mind means you've failed. It doesn't. The career you wanted at 22 may not excite you at 29. The city you dreamed of living in might no longer feel right. Even your definition of success can change. A flexible timeline gives you room to grow. It allows you to make decisions based on who you are becoming rather than forcing yourself to remain loyal to an old version of yourself.

Letting go of unrealistic timelines doesn't mean abandoning ambition. It means separating ambition from unnecessary pressure. You can still have big goals while accepting that they may take longer than expected.

Life isn't a race where everyone starts and finishes at the same time. Some seasons are for building, some are for learning, some are for starting over, and some are simply for surviving. The goal isn't to arrive at every milestone early. It is to build a life that actually feels like yours when you get there.

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Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

DOWNTOWN ZODIAC

VIRGO

The Perfectionist With a Practical Side

AUGUST 23RD - SEPTEMBER 22ND

ELEMENT: EARTH RULING PLANET: MERCURY SYMBOL: THE VIRGIN FLOWER: CHRYSANTHEMUM BIRTHSTONES: BLUE SAPPHIRE

Dave Chapelle, August 24th

They Notice Everything A Virgo can walk into a room and immediately notice what is out of place. Their observant nature makes them excellent problem-solvers because they tend to pick up on details that others miss.

They analyse, observe, and usually think things through before making decisions.

They Show Love Through Action Virgos may not always be the loudest when expressing affection, but they often show they care through their actions. They remember important details, offer practical help, check in when something seems wrong, and quietly make life easier for the people they value.

Funke Akindele, August 24th

BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE

V

irgos are often described as the perfectionists of the zodiac, but there is much more to them than their attention to detail. Born between August 23 and September 22, Virgos are typically associated with practicality, organisation, intelligence, and a strong desire to improve things. They notice the little things others overlook and often prefer thoughtful action over unnecessary attention. While their high standards can sometimes make them appear overly critical, they are usually driven by a genuine desire to create order and achieve meaningful results.

PAGE 18

Their Standards Can Be Their Strength and Their Stress Wanting things done properly can push Virgos toward excellence, but it can also create unnecessary pressure. They may overthink decisions, focus heavily on their mistakes, or struggle to accept that something can be good without being perfect. Learning when to step back and appreciate progress can help them enjoy their achievements instead of constantly searching for what needs fixing.

Virgos bring a rare combination of intelligence, reliability, practicality, and attention to detail.

They may be their own toughest critics, but their desire to improve themselves and their surroundings is also what makes them dependable and capable.

Basketmouth, September 14th

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL

s e l c i n o r h c ’s y s s ca IT’S COMPLICATED hurt.

When he asked if I wanted to leave with him, I should have said no.

Instead, I looked at him for a few seconds and said, "Okay."

We got to his apartment, and the moment the door closed, he pulled me close and kissed me hard. I dropped my bag on the floor and let him guide me to the bedroom. He pushed me gently onto the bed and lifted my dress. He pulled my panties down and slid two fingers inside me while his tongue stayed in my mouth. I was already wet.

He took off his clothes and climbed on top of me. I spread my legs for him, and he pushed his cock inside me slowly.

It was thick and stretched me open. I moaned as he started thrusting, my hands gripping the sheets. He held my hips and banged me steadily, skin slapping against skin. Every time he went deep, I lifted my hips to meet him.

He rolled onto his back and pulled me on top of him. I sat on his cock and rode him, moving my hips in circles while he squeezed my breasts. I came first, shaking and clenching around him. He followed right after, gripping my waist while he emptied inside me.

We cleaned up, laughed a little, and we slept.

The next morning, I woke up before him.

I quietly dressed, found my shoes and left before he woke up.

I thought that was the end of it.

Until Monday morning.

I walked into the office already complaining to my colleague about the traffic.

Then I saw him.

Tobi.

Standing beside my boss.

Wearing a blue shirt.

Looking very much like the man I had spent Friday night with.

I stopped walking.

He looked at me.

His eyes widened.

I

should have known that a man who looked room, my eyes kept finding him. that good in a white shirt and smelled that We started talking because he offered to buy me nice was trouble. a drink.

But that Friday night, I was tired of being We continued talking because he was funny. sensible.

And by the time the DJ changed the music My friends had dragged me to a lounge in and my friends started asking where I had Victoria Island after work. I had spent the disappeared to, I was already sitting beside him, entire week answering emails, sitting in laughing like I had known him for years. traffic, and pretending I was not tired of His name was Tobi. being single.

Then I saw him.

He was standing at the bar, laughing with his friend, and somehow, even in a crowded

We talked about everything and nothing. Lagos traffic. Bad bosses. Family members who thought being unmarried was a personal failure.

He made me laugh so much that my cheeks

"Good morning, everyone," my boss announced. "I believe most of you haven't met our new team lead yet. This is Tobi Adebayo. He'll be heading the strategy team."

I wanted the floor to open.

Tobi cleared his throat.

I spent the entire morning avoiding him.

I changed my usual lunchtime. I took the long route to the bathroom. I even pretended to be busy whenever he walked past my desk.

And suddenly, Monday no longer felt like an ordinary Monday.

It felt like the beginning of a very complicated problem.

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THEWILL THEWILL DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN •• www.thewilldowntown.com

Issue No. 289 • August 23, 2026

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA Scan this with your camera or click to access the playlist (Youtube Music)

MOVIE REVIEW:

Scan this with your camera or click to access the playlist (Spotify)

Spiderman: Brand New Day

ever existed. This was his idea – his way of protecting those he loves - but it means that he’s on his own. Well, almost.

Other members of the Marvel family appear from time to time to lend their idea of moral support. He receives some scientific advice from Dr Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), as well as a lot of trouble from Banner’s green alter ego, and Florence Pugh shows up with a Russian accent and some useful he opening scenes of the information in a hilarious cameo as the new Spider-Man movie have new Black Widow, having taken over a decidedly melancholy the role from Scarlett Johansson. tilt to them. It seems that even superheroes get the blues.

And best of all, Spidey gets to enjoy the abrasive company of his fellow law Four years have gone by since enforcer, The Punisher (Jon Bernthal). the ending of the last film, The oddest of couples, they produce the and Tom Holland’s Spidey is a script’s most sardonic jokes. full-time crime-fighter with no personal life at all.

It’s getting to the point where you need a degree to get a grip on the genealogy Holed up in a dingy apartment of Marvel and DC superheroes. Spiderin Manhattan, he’s devoting Man is a particularly tricky example. himself to stopping street Litigation between studios over crimes, no matter how minor, copyright has played havoc with his while trying to deal with his history on the big screen. It was only involuntary acquisition of a set in 2016, after Sony and Marvel settled of alarmingly weird new powers their differences and Holland took on that make him worry about the part, that Spider-Man was able to turning into a monster. join up with Marvel’s other characters in Captain America: Civil War. The mood is captured by a famous summary of the It was in 2017’s Spider-Man: Spider-Man as a noble, Homecoming that Peter Parker fell for solitary figure negotiating the Zendaya’s Michelle Jones-Watson (MJ); meanest of mean streets. It’s this time round, he’s still pining for her, just that Holland, with his open which is unfortunate since she’s lost all expression and perky manner, memory of him and has to be wooed doesn’t quite fit the profile. all over again.

OctobersRich - United States Airforce Fighter Jet

Ayra Starr - Amazing (feat. kwn)

Sosocamo - there he go

Temper City - Self Aware

Kelela - KAYTRANADA_ WAITIN_115 BPM

King Sis - Luxe Instrumental Version

T

Spidey has always been the most human of the superheroes, with more joy to him than any of them, and solemnity doesn’t suit him – so it’s a relief when he gets a chance to lighten up.

The melancholia doesn’t lift altogether, but the director, Destin Daniel Cretton and the writers, Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, have produced a script with enough twists to take him all the way from panicked despair to unadulterated silliness. It’s quite a ride.

I’d call this a coming-of-age story. No more adolescent uncertainties. No more Peter Parker. As predicted in the closing scenes of Spider-Man: No Way Home, a mysterious act of Multiversal magic has made everyone forget that Peter Parker

PAGE 20

But Spidey’s emotional life has not been allowed to upstage the action sequences. It’s just that they have been given context. You don’t come out feeling giddy from being catapulted from one hectic set-piece to another.

He’s up against a formidable array of mischief-makers, but his biggest problems are caused by his difficulties in getting to grips with his evolving powers. Brilliantly choreographed to be wildly unpredictable, these scenes send him spinning through the air in a series of aerial slapstick routines which don’t end well.

Inevitably, there are dull spots in the narrative. These days, every blockbuster is extended beyond its ability to be constantly entertaining, but this one is entirely innocent of any urge to be grandiose. Spidey is more fun than ever.

Rating: 8.5/10

WATCH OF THE WEEK the violence, and it wasn’t because of

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 3

the pace. It only really hit me on the season’s penultimate Sunday: It’s because everyone’s dumb.

T

Hey, I get it. It’s a show that sets out to tell the story of a mighty family and their downfall at their own hands; of course, there was gonna be a bit of hubris involved. But it seemed like almost all of our leads, especially our royals, made the most illogical decisions at every turn.

Harsher critics of the season might ask, “What was so great about it?” and while there was more wrong with it than right, I would argue the entire season became worthwhile when Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney, who, once again, delivers my favourite performance) unceremoniously slapped his traitorous brother with a gleeful sing-songy, “I’m alive!”

A few story beats echo Game of Thrones at its heyday, from the viciousness of the Tumbleton battle to that wide open bedroom window (heartbreaking), but seeing Aegon’s vengeful fury wilt when faced with Aemond’s (Ewan Mitchell) genuine regret is House of the Dragon at its best.

I could have pulled my hair out watching Lord Corlys (Steve Toussaint), a.k.a. The Smartest Man in Westeros, present the perfect solution to all their problems only to get turned down flat, all because Daemon (Matt Smith) is gonna do Daemon things. If it was just Daemon being hardheaded, that would be a mere friction point, but the season went to great pains to assure us that if Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) had been in his place, she would undoubtedly make the same choice.

he most aggravating aspect of House of the Dragon’s third season, which came to an end just 2 Sundays ago (at the time of publication), wasn’t that it was bad; it was that it showed all-too brief flashes of creative brilliance that came and went quicker than you can say, “Dracarys.”

Now if only impulse showed itself more. This season is a definite improvement over the last, considerably sleepier, season, which ended well enough but rarely felt like more than chess pieces circling the board. Action is certainly not the issue this time around; the abruptness of the premiere felt like a slight overcorrection. As far as the storyline goes, there’s a lot to enjoy here, especially getting to know more of the extended Hightower and Targaryen family members. Despite the positives, the third season was genuinely tough to watch at times. It wasn’t because of

Oh, Rhaenrya. I rooted for you. Hard.

Like so many, I was enthusiastically Team Black, and this is how you repay us. I can forgive wrongdoing, but I draw the line at incompetence.

Maintaining control of the throne should’ve been easy, but Rhaenyra managed to successfully dodge every bit of wise counsel thrown in her direction. The more tenuous her hold became—and with it, all her insecurities—the more desperate she grew, culminating in a tearful breakdown (D’Arcy is so good in that scene) that quickly gives way to villainy.

Again, naked ambition has reduced her to a fool, but now she’s an exceedingly dangerous one. Her villainous turn will be something to behold once season four, reportedly the show’s final season, gets underway. I only hope that the choices that unfold will be done in such a way that confirms Rhaenyra’s maliciousness rather than her foolishness.

All episodes of season three of House of the Dragon are now streaming on HBO Max / Crave.