Nigerian fashion has been taking the world by storm. Whether it’s Lagos Fashion Week or your local Auntie to your favorite Afrobeats star, everyone knows somebody rocking the latest Nigerian styles. These brands have been making their name known across Nigeria and around the world. Below, I name 5 Nigerian women-owned fashion brands that should be on your radar.
1. KADIJU
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Founded by Oyindamola Aleshinloye in August 2021, KADIJU is a Yoruba name that translates to “Let’s close our eyes” and enter into a state of fearlessness. Based in Lagos, the brand focuses on maximalist designs, inspiring confidence to their customers. The brand sources its materials and works with artisans locally as they are committed to conscious production, often using recycled materials and stock fabrics, producing small batches of clothes to reduce waste. KADIJU has become a well-known fashion brand among the fashion community and celebrities thanks to its bold prints and dramatic silhouettes. The brand’s pieces have been worn by Ayra Starr, Tems, Ashley Okoli, and others. KADIJU is known for its voluminous silhouettes, jewel tones, and texural embellishments. They mainly sell women’s statement pieces like symmetrical dresses, layered maxi dresses, mini puff dresses, sculpted bubble minis, trousers, shirts, and more.
2. ORÍRÉ
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Oríré Aleshinloye created her self-titled fashion brand back in June 2021, which is committed to expressing femininity through art using artisanal craftsmanship and conscious production. The brand is known for being worn by the infamous Meghan Markle, especially for the red “Dire” dress that made the ORÍRÉ site crash. ORÍRÉ sells dresses, tops, shirts, pants, sets, and jumpsuits. Their main focus is on dresses, and customers can find maxi dresses, midi dresses, or statement dresses on their website. ORÍRÉ leans into the feminine with a bit of polish. The brand uses sustainable fabrics like recycled wool, crepe, and silk to reduce any harm done during their production process. Most products are made in small quantities, handcrafted by local artisans in their Lagos studio, whereas others are made-to-order to remove excess and allow flexibility for customers by giving them the option to customize their fit.
3. KUWAJ
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Launched in 2021, Joy Akhigbe uses artisanal craftsmanship and conscious production to give confidence to her customers. While the brand did take a step back last year to rebrand, they are known for selling women’s dresses and ready-to-wear pieces. This includes silhouettes that flatter curves, contemporary cuts, printed dresses, and mini dresses. All of their pieces have a bold, feminine style, and they specialize in made-to-order pieces as well.
4. BAWSTY
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A play on the word “busty,” co-founders Damilola Marcus Onsowobo and Morenike Olusanya created BAWSTY to offer plus-sized women a chance to wear outfits that made them feel elegant and sexy. The brand has been celebrated for its curve-celebrating dresses and sell-out drops. On their website, you are sure to find women’s dresses, shirt sets, skirts, and tops that will flatter fuller-busted bodies. Their elegant and versatile pieces lean towards bold and feminine, especially their maxi dresses, mini dresses, shirt-and-skirt sets, and color-coded looks like the powder pink and powder blue sets. With glowing online reviews and a loyal fanbase championing their tagline, “This model is not wearing a bra,” BAWSTY is the brand for all bodies.
5. LFJ
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Creative director Princess Juliet Olanipekun birthed LFJ in 2020, focusing on creating art through fashion. LFJ is known for its edgy play on pleats with superb craftsmanship, connecting art and fashion to create designs with character. Her out-of-the-box style makes her pieces seem architectural. Olanipekun’s vision is vibrant, playful silhouettes that bring hope and happiness to the customer. Each garment shows pride, boldness, and embraces African roots.
Have you ever shopped from any of these brands? Let us know in the comments!
