Fashion Revolutionaries: Nigerian Designers Who Changed the Game
Nigeria’s fashion scene is a vibrant tapestry woven from rich culture, bold creativity, and an unyielding desire for self-expression. Over the years, a new wave of designers has not only redefined fashion within the country but also placed Nigerian craftsmanship on the global stage.
By Asteroid Media
These designers are more than just creators of clothing; they are revolutionaries, challenging conventions, embracing sustainability, and telling stories through their collections that celebrate Africa’s heritage. From transforming traditional textiles into avant-garde masterpieces to launching cutting-edge ready-to-wear brands, these trailblazers have disrupted the industry and continue to shape the future of fashion, both at home and abroad. This article highlights the visionaries who have spearheaded this revolution and changed the game forever.
Ian Audifferen
Chukwuma Ian Audifferen is a self-taught designer born in Lagos who graduated from the University of Lagos with a degree in Microbiology. He founded Tzar Studios in 2013, just a year after finishing his studies. His contemporary menswear brand started with a collection of shirts and tunics and quickly attracted attention with items such as the ‘Oasis of Calm.’ Tzar Studios is known for its focus on prints, successfully merging form and function to offer a modern take on menswear with a metrosexual flair. Audifferen believes that the choice of fabric is essential to good design, leading him to explore various patterns and textures that add both depth and enjoyment to his pieces. His autumn/winter 2019 collection featured a reimagining of traditional Yoruba styles, incorporating a silk-rayon blend to give a contemporary twist to the iro and buba, complete with playful elements like tulle and oversized safety pins. Also, his signature “half-half” shirts display contrasting ankara fabrics.
Adebayo Oke-Lawal
Adebayo Oke-Lawal also known as Theorangenerd is the creative mind behind the Nigerian brand Orange Culture. He is recognized for his daring approach to fashion, which merges bright colors with gender-fluid designs and socially conscious storytelling. Established in 2010/2011, Orange Culture transcends traditional fashion by encouraging self-expression and confronting hyper-masculinity through garments that honor diversity. The brand combines Nigerian and African influences with global streetwear styles, resulting in androgynous collections that defy conventional gender norms. Oke-Lawal’s creations challenge societal views on masculinity and aim to inspire a movement of inclusivity and fluidity, demonstrating that fashion can are a platform for both style and social progress.
Lisa Folawiyo
Lisa Folawiyo is a pioneering Nigerian fashion designer known for her colorful designs and creative use of Ankara fabrics, which she turns into modern and striking pieces. Since she established her brand, Jewel by Lisa, in 2005, Folawiyo has received international acclaim for blending traditional African textiles with contemporary personalizing, bold prints, and detailed beadwork. Her luxurious take on women’s ready-to-wear and accessories has made her a favorite among celebrities, with her creations displayed on global runways like Lagos and New York Fashion Week. Folawiyo’s work, reflecting a modern West African style, has appeared in esteemed publications such as Vogue, The New York Times, and Harper’s Bazaar, reinforcing her status as a influential figure in the Nigerian fashion scene.
Mai Atafo
Mai Atafo is a well-known Nigerian fashion designer and custom-made personalize who is recognized for his exceptional craftsmanship and sharp sense of sophistication. He is the founder and creative director of ATAFO, where his collections include impeccably personalized suits, stunning bridal gowns, and stylish casual wear, reflecting a perfect mix of tradition and modernity. Celebrated for his gentlemanly style and grace, Atafo’s work displays luxury and a careful attention to detail. Prior to fully dedicating himself to fashion, he enjoyed a successful career in Market Research, Sales, Innovation, and Brand Management with British American Tobacco and Diageo. After receiving formal training at the esteemed Instituto di Moda Burgo in Milan, Italy, he refined his garment-making skills, enhancing the quality of his brand. Driven by a desire to nurture talent, Atafo established Fashion Conversations, a free mentorship program designed to enable the next generation of creative professionals.
Ejiro Amos Tafiri
Ejiro Amos Tafiri is a renowned Nigerian fashion designer who has received awards for her work. She is celebrated for her skill in combining traditional Nigerian aesthetics with modern fashion trends, resulting in timeless and elegant creations. Tafiri is known for her detailed details, which include embroidery, beadwork, and appliqués. She enhances her designs with bright African prints and textiles, bringing a sense of feminine elegance to her flowing fabrics and delicate draping. To serve the modern woman, she established the Ejiro Amos Tafiri (E.A.T) brand, which offers fluid and sophisticated garments that blend prints, textures, and cultural influences into glamorous and lasting pieces. Starting from modest beginnings in a room at her parents’ house, Tafiri has expanded her brand, making it one of Africa’s most sustainable and fast-growing fashion labels. She now operates multiple outlets and labels, while also managing a mentoring and training institute, solidifying her status as a key figure in the African fashion industry.
Paolo Sisiano
Paolo Sisiano, a designer who taught himself and has a background in contemporary dance, established his brand Sisiano in 2013. His time with the Lagos-based dance troupe, ‘Spirit of David,’ has had a major impact on his fashion creations, resulting in pieces that reflect a dreamy and romantic style. The spring/summer 2020 collection from Sisiano displays hand-dyed cotton in earthy and pastel shades, featuring a marble effect that creates the appearance of flowing fabric. Recognized for his otherworldly designs, Sisiano is also an enterprising individual, intending to relocate his studio from Yaba to the busy commercial area of Lekki, where he plans to open a new store. With more than ten years of experience in the creative field, Sisiano also takes on the role of director for the musical Ini The Musical, which digs into topics related to time, mental health, and the culture of Akwa Ibom. He remains committed to living and creating in Nigeria, pursuing his artistic passions.
Omoniyi Makun
Omoniyi Makun, commonly known as Yomi Casual, is a prominent Nigerian fashion designer celebrated for his contemporary menswear brand, famous for its impeccable personalizing, bold creativity, and detailed craftsmanship. Born on January 21, 1985, in Lagos, Nigeria, Yomi studied Fashion Design and Clothing Technology at Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State before establishing his fashion label. His designs blend traditional Nigerian textiles with modern shapes and global trends, resulting in versatile garments that appeal to his customers. Yomi Casual quickly rose to fame as a favored designer among Nigerian and African celebrities, with notable personalities such as Ebube Nwagbo, Iyanya, and Desmond Elliot often wearing his outfits. In 2014, his major contributions to the fashion industry were acknowledged with the Inspiration Excellent Awards, further cementing his status as a trendsetter and a key figure in both the entertainment and fashion industries.
Lola Faturoti
Lola Faturoti is a renowned fashion designer celebrated for her contemporary silhouettes, unique prints, and lively color schemes. She established her brand entirely on her own, gaining international acclaim and sales without substantial startup funding, which demonstrates her entrepreneurial drive and determination. With more than ten years of experience in fashion design, her collections have appeared in esteemed publications like The New York Times, Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Essence. Lola’s creations are available globally in upscale department stores and specialty boutiques, including Bloomingdale’s Dubai, Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong and Riyadh, IF Boutique NY, and Loveless Japan.Born in London and raised in Nigeria, Lola pursued her fashion education in London before relocating to Milan and eventually New York City in the early 1990s, a bright time in the fashion industry. Her diverse background has considerably shaped her brand’s development and success. Upon her arrival in New York, she encountered many opportunities, forming collaborations and garnering acclaim from fashion critics while staying true to her unique vision and signature design style.
Nkwo Onwuka
Nkwo Onwuka is a pioneering figure in sustainable fashion in Nigeria, known for promoting Africa’s rich culture through innovative designs. For over a decade, her brand, NKWO, has gained acclaim for its commitment to sustainability, earning her international recognition. In 2018, she represented Nigeria at the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange exhibition at Buckingham Palace, with her work later archived at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Nkwo spearheaded the Green Access program at Lagos Fashion Week, mentoring designers on sustainability until 2021. She was featured on CNN’s *African Voices* as a Changemaker and contributed to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation’s book *Circular Design for Fashion*. Her iconic Dakala™ Cloth piece is part of the V&A Museum’s permanent collection, and in 2022, she won the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Award. She continues to make global waves, including speaking at the UN’s Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network Annual Meeting.
Lanre da Silva Ajayi
Lanre da Silva Ajayi is a pioneering figure in Nigeria’s fashion industry, with nearly twenty years of influence. Renowned for her luxurious and enabling designs, she has been instrumental in transforming local fashion preferences to favor homegrown talent. Her latest collection, “The Queen of Hearts,” upholds this legacy with its lavish fabrics, detailed beadwork, and striking silhouettes, all presented during the 2024 Lagos Fashion Week. Ajayi’s dedication to merging modern elegance with African heritage is displayed through her ongoing partnership with a prominent textile brand aimed at promoting sustainable fashion. Her recent honors, such as the “Fashion Icon Award” at the 2024 African Fashion Awards, emphasize her influence on both the Nigerian and international fashion scenes. Committed to encouraging emerging designers, Ajayi remains a leading force in innovation and cultural celebration within the fashion industry.