BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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Nigerian sensation Tems took center stage at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2025 with a red-carpet moment that turned heads and underscored her growing fashion credentials. Dressed in a sculptural ensemble by Turkish designer Salih Balta, Tems fused elegance with edge as she solidified her presence not just in music, but style.
The look, an ivory knit corset paired with a textured, mermaid-skirt silhouette, was the kind of outfit that walked the line between avant-garde and red-carpet ready. The corset defined Tems’ waist while the skirt’s intricate weave added depth, tailoring and movement. The addition of her signature bob haircut, deep berry lip, and minimal jewellery allowed the garment to do the talking, marking a confident departure from safer styling tropes.
Given the event’s global profile and Tems’ rapidly expanding influence, choosing Salih Balta felt intentional. Balta’s design ethos blends modern tailoring with rich craftsmanship, a perfect match for an artist bridging Afrobeats culture and international fashion rhythms. Their collaboration suggests that Tems is becoming a serious fashion force in her own right.
As the GQ Men of the Year Awards continues to highlight leading voices across music, film and fashion, Tems’ appearance stands out. It wasn’t just about celebrity presence, it was a strategic style statement, one that positions her at the convergence of sound, culture and elevated design.
