Yolanda Okereke 
This year marked a defining moment in my journey as a storyteller and costume designer. First and foremost, I just won ‘Best Costume Design For A Movie: AsoEbi Diaries’ at Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival, 2025. To God be all the glory.
Also, standing at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF50) to witness ‘Dust to Dreams’ and ‘Stitches’ on the world stage. TIFF50 was a milestone not only for global cinema but also for me personally, as I witnessed two projects I deeply poured myself into — ‘Dust to Dreams’ and ‘Stitches’ — being screened on this world stage.
‘Dust to Dreams’ was directed by Idris Elba and produced by Mo Abudu and ‘Stitches’ was directed by Shirley Frimpong – Mason and produced by Chris Odeh.
Sitting in that darkened theatre, surrounded by a global audience from every corner of the world, and to watch my work unfold before their eyes was an experience of profound reflection.
I watched not just the films but the heartbeat of years of creativity, collaboration, and relentless passion come alive on screen.
Seeing my work breathe through each character, each scene, reminded me why I chose this path: storytelling through fabric, texture, and detail.
Costume design, for me, has always been more than dressing characters — it is about sculpting identities, shaping emotion, and weaving the invisible threads that connect the audience to the story.
Seeing those details magnified on screen at a festival of this magnitude was both humbling and affirming.
With ‘Dust to Dreams’, I saw how the subtle textures, colours, and silhouettes carried the film’s emotional weight — whispering stories that dialogue alone could not tell. In ‘Stitches’, directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso, I watched the deliberate choices of fabric and form become part of the psychological tension and visual rhythm of the film. Each project reaffirmed my belief that costume design is storytelling in its purest, most visual sense.
At TIFF, the work transcends borders—it becomes part of a larger conversation, one where craft meets culture, and where our stories find new homes in the hearts of strangers.
TIFF is not just a festival, it is a global conversation about the power of cinema. Being part of TIFF50 reminded me of the universality of our stories, and the unique responsibility of creatives to shape how those stories are told. To see Nollywood and African cinema share space with the world’s most celebrated films was a proud and emotional moment — one that signals how far we have come, and how much further we are destined to go.
My experience at TIFF50 was not only about screenings, but about legacy, perspective, and vision. It was about honoring the past, celebrating the present, and dreaming boldly of the future. ‘Dust to Dreams’ and ‘Stitches’ are not just films — they are fragments of our culture, pieces of our history, and part of an ever-evolving narrative that deserves to be seen, celebrated, and remembered.
As I reflect on this moment, I carry forward the lessons, the affirmation, and the responsibility to keep creating with depth, courage, and authenticity. TIFF50 was a stage, but more than that, it was a mirror of what is possible when our stories dare to travel beyond borders.
The reviews, the conversations, and the collective awe in those rooms were deeply affirming. More than just screenings, they were moments of reflection—proof that our narratives matter, that Nollywood and African cinema continue to claim their rightful place on the global stage.
‘Dust to Dreams’ and ‘Stitches’ are more than films—they are fragments of our shared history, and I am honoured to have contributed to their visual voice.
Yolanda Okereke is a visionary fashion entrepreneur and respected industry leader, known for her exceptional work as a Costume Designer and Creative Producer in Film and Television. With over a decade of experience, she has consistently shaped the visual identity of some of Nollywood’s most iconic productions, earning a reputation for her artistic depth, organisational precision, and bold storytelling through costume.
She is the Founder and Head of The Rani Company, a leading costume design and styling firm, and The Wardrobe Shack, a costume rental house serving high-profile film and television projects across Nigeria.