Although pre-colonial times was when Nigerian fashion first emerged, there was a time when British influences predominated. Nigeria largely overcame the influences of other cultures over time and proudly established its own styles, which are frequently seen among the leading Nigerian fashion labels.
Nigeria, a country in West Africa, has gained notoriety due to Nollywood and some of the biggest music singers in the world. The Nigerian fashion business is now closely following the country’s entertainment sector, with over a dozen Nigerian fashion labels igniting style across the nation.
1. Freak Vault
In February 2017, the company launched “SHIRT FREAK” as just a shirt brand with the aim of freaking the world with distinctive, edgy, and exceptional dress shirts. The announcement was made on the social media page of the Nigerian shirt brand, shirt freak, by the founder and creative director, Philip Ojire.
Due to their stunning and sophisticated designs, celebrity and influencer endorsements, and the fact that over 36% of their buyers are from outside the United States, Shirt Fever has garnered a lot of attention since their start.
2. Lisa Folwayo
Lisa Folwayo is one of the biggest fashion brands in Africa for women that sells both clothing and accessories. What sets Lisa Folwayo apart is that each piece has its own unique story, from the initial idea to the finished product. The collection incorporates a combination of textiles and bright colours to create globally acceptable prints.
3. Orange Culture
Orange Culture is a contemporary menswear brand founded by Adebayo Oke-Lawal in 2011. With Nigerian roots, Adebayo has fused his cultural upbringing with an international perspective to create vibrant menswear pieces. His designs are often described as eccentric and daring, often mixing bright colours and bold patterns. Each piece’s distinctive style speaks to the brand’s multicultural heritage.
4. Yomi Casual
Yomi Casual whose real name is Olorunyomi Makun is a Nigerian fashion designer and CEO of the popular clothing brand “Yomi Casual”. He is known to be the official tailor for several celebrities in the country and Africa too. His African-inspired styles have earned him some recognition in the international fashion scene which in turn has expanded his brand
5. Onalaja
Onalaja is inspired by traditional craft technique. Key elements often explored in Onalaja pieces include texture clashes, a play on proportions, colour and textile manipulation.