5 Nigerian fashion designers who have gone international

Making it big in the fashion industry, and going international, is no small leap. Here, Weekend Magazine gives you a list of some Nigerians who have made such a mark. Deola Saoge The founder of The House of Deola Sagoe is not only famous for her colorful African prints but also for how lively they […]

Making it big in the fashion industry, and going international, is no small leap. Here, Weekend Magazine gives you a list of some Nigerians who have made such a mark.

Deola Saoge

The founder of The House of Deola Sagoe is not only famous for her colorful African prints but also for how lively they are. Her work has gained her some recognition from Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey, who are American celebrities. She has showcased her couture collection in New York Fashion Week and Cape Town Fashion Week. Saoge also won the MNET/Anglo Gold African Designs 2000 Award.

Lisa Folawiyo
Folawiyo is a talented designer who infuses the modern sewing techniques into the traditional West African fabric. Her clothing label, Jewel by Lisa, has grown over the years and now has a branch and showrooms in New York and Lagos. She also owns a fashion line that produces jewelry and purses that can accessorize clothes.

Folake Folarin-Coker
She is the founder of Tiffany Amber, a fashion line. Her love for fashion steered her away from her course of study Petroleum Law. She is globally known for her colorful creations. She has, over the years, showcased her work at the New York Mercedes Fashion Week two years in a row. Folarin-Coker also received an Enterprise Award at WIE (Women, Inspiration and Enterprise) Symposium in 2013 and has made it to the Forbes Power Women in Africa list. Beyonce, Kelis, Tasha Smith and Eve are some of her celebrity fans.

Frank Oshodi

The House of Bunor CEO can be said to be a master of many talents. He has been in the fashion industry for about 30 years but founded his fashion house 15 years ago. He was the makeup artist and designer contracted by Silverbird to dress Agbani Darego during the Miss World competition. She won the contest and became Miss World 2001. Her victory put his work on the map internationally as a talented celebrity designer. His pieces are designed and inspired by the African culture. He has, over the years, headed events that put Nigeria on the map in the fashion industry.

Duro Oluwo

Duro, a Nigerian-born and London-based fashion designer is well known and loved for his unique and colorful African prints. He has dressed A-list celebrities such as Michelle Obama, Linda Evangelista, Uma Thurman, Solange Knowles and many others. He is a lawyer by profession but that didn’t dissuade him from following his dreams of being a fashion designer. His waist patchwork “Duro” was named “Dress of the Year” by British and American Vogue in 2005.