The Nigerian fashion industry is rapidly growing and has produced some incredibly talented designers over the years. The current scene showcases a diverse array of styles, ranging from traditional fabrics and prints to modern twists on classic silhouettes. However, there are certain individuals who are making waves with their unique visions and fresh perspectives.
In this article I will be giving you the list of fashion designers you should look out for so keep tune.
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Duro Olowu
You will surely be considered one of the greatest when Michelle Obama, the first lady of the United States, wears your design.
Duro Olowu is a Nigerian fashion designer who has made his mark in the industry. He designs garments that are fashionable, polished, and exquisite. His designs are described as “colorful and lively prints combined with seventies classic tailoring.”
In addition to the former first lady, his other notable celebrity clients include Uma Thurman and Linda Evangelista.
Lisa Folawiyo
Folawiyo is a well-known Nigerian fashion designer with a legal background. After graduating from a higher institution in Lagos, Folawiyo launched her fashion company from her home in 2005. This depicts her modest beginning. Lisa’s brand name was Jewel. Her brand grew from the ground up, with showrooms in both Nigeria and New York City.
Bridget Awosika
Bridget Awosika is definitely one of Nigeria’s most gifted designers and one to keep an eye on in the coming years. It’s very hard to get used to or weary of her aesthetics because she continually brings something fresh with different colors and construction every season.
She uses “modern shapes, asymmetry, clean lines, cuts, draping, and intricate details” to great effect.
Bridget Awosika was born to Nigerian parents in Washington, DC. In addition to the previous first lady, it was clear at the age of 10 that she would follow a profession in fashion design because she showed more passion for sketching, collecting textiles, art, and hand sewing than anything else.
Andrea Iyamah
Dumebi Andrea Iyamah (born March 18, 1993) is a Nigerian-Canadian fashion designer from Lagos, Nigeria. Andrea Iyamah is the founder and CEO of the fashion label Andrea Iyamah, which specializes in bridal, swimsuit, and ready-to-wear lines. She is well-known for her unique approach on women’s design and swimwear, which has been worn by celebrities including Michelle Obama, Kate Hudson, Gabrielle Union, Ciara, and Issa Rae.
Maki Oh
Amaka Osakwe (born 1987) is a Nigerian fashion designer and the founder of Maki Oh, an African-based fashion line. She has led her womanswear label from Lagos since 2010, and it is a globally recognized Nigerian label.
International celebrities such as singers Beyoncé and Rihanna, as well as Hollywood actress Kerry Washington, have worn Nigerian designers’ creations. Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the United States, is a fashion icon who wore an Amaka Osakwe-designed Maki Oh blouse on a trip to South Africa in the summer of 2013. Her creations have also been worn by Solange Knowles, Lady Gaga, Issa Rae, and Leelee Sobieski, as well as Nigerian TV presenter Eku Edewor, and are available internationally through Farfetch.com and in the United States at the McMullen store in Oakland.
Adebayo Oke-Lawal; Orange Culture
Adebayo Oke-Lawal, a Nigerian born designer, founded Orange Culture. The brand must gain international renown for its androgynous aesthetic and willingness to challenge boundaries. All pieces are made in Lagos using ethically sourced materials from local Nigerian fabric producers.
Kenneth Ize
Kenneth Ize’s modern twist on traditional craft has quickly established the Lagos-based designer as a key voice in the African and global fashion landscapes. Ize founded his namesake business in 2013 after graduating from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, quickly rising to become an LVMH prize finalist in 2019. His signature handwoven material, which he cuts into classic designs, turns the simplest pieces into sophisticated wardrobe basics, informed by an appreciation for local artisanship and balanced by his own cross-cultural experiences.
Tiffany Amber
Tiffany Amber, a 20-year-old fashion and lifestyle brand with global appeal and a distinctly African spirit, was founded in 1997.
Tiffany Amber was born in November 1998, revolutionizing the Nigerian fashion industry and pioneering the ready-to-wear market. Today, it has established itself as a pioneer in the African fashion industry, thanks to a single designer with an inherent sense of splendor and an unwavering eye for timeless flair.
Tiffany Amber’s brand aesthetic is dedicated to a vision of style that is as elegant as it is luxurious, iconic as it is current, and has grown into a premium lifestyle brand with global appeal. Tiffany Amber items are handcrafted in Nigeria by the most skilled craftsmen, in keeping with the company’s aim of empowering artisans from all over the continent.
Lanre da Silva
Lanre da Silva was born in the year 1978. She is from the country’s west and currently resides in Lagos, Nigeria. She is the owner of Da Silva’s collections and a well-known fashion designer. She founded the label in 2005 and is well-known for her stunning fashion designs, which include couture, ready-to-wear, jewelry, and hairpieces.
Mai Atafo
Mai Atafo is a world-renowned fashion designer from Nigeria. Mai Atafo is a prominent fashion tailor whose brand is well-known both locally and globally. He has worked with African great stars such as Omowunmi Akinnifesi, Banky W, IK Osakioduwa, and others who have placed their trust in his skilled creations.