Elsie UdohNigeria is home to top fashion—from bold Ankara prints to more contemporary styles. We are not afraid to unleash our fashion creativity, and we wear it proudly.
The world of fashion in Nigeria is ever-evolving, and we are not one to be left behind, even in the diaspora. Despite being far away, you can still tap into Nigerian fashion in the diaspora, and this article will show you how.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThere are many trendy Nigerian fashion that you must know abroad as well as the top designers, styles and more that you should stay up-to-date with to bring Nigerian fashion to your doorstep and keep you serving the Nigerian vibe even while you’re far away. This article will help you to do just that by identifying the top designers and trends available in the Diaspora. Let’s dive in!
Top Nigerian Designers in the Diaspora
Nigeria has many talented designers in the diaspora. These designers are either based abroad or have made their mark on the global fashion stage. Some top Nigerian designers in the diaspora are:
1. Lisa Folawiyo
If you’re looking for a mix of Nigerian tradition and Western modernity, then Lisa Folawiyo has something to offer. Check this out:
When it comes to fashion, Lisa’s brand (Jewsl by Lisa) unarguably provides a redefined look. It is no wonder that she has awards like the Africa Fashion Award (2012), to her name. She was also one of eight emerging talents by WWD Women’s Wear Daily in 2014 and featured in the BOF500 in 2015.
Her global women’s wear and accessories brand (Jewel by Lisa) provides bespoke designs like the one presented above such as beaded bags. Here’s a hand-beaded bag from her Jewel by Lisa brand:
She has showrooms in Nigeria and New York and is known for transforming simple Ankara prints into luxurious, fashionable clothes, making her a true fashionista and top designer. She also offers ready-to-wear pieces which are usually displayed at exhibitions attracting large audiences.
You can shop from her official website, which has global shipping options. Her work is also available on Farfetch and Moda Operandi.
Pro Tip: Check her stockists section on the website or her IG page (@lisafolawiyo_studio) to find more of her designs as well as stores carrying her collections in the diaspora.
2. Deola Sagoe
Deola Sagoe is another established fashion icon who has made a name for herself both at home and abroad as a top designer. Although she is based in Nigeria, her designs have a large following in the United States and Europe, particularly her Komole designs; this masterpiece from the ‘House of Deola’ creatively combines Aso-oke and Lace in one design and is a bridal outfit special.
See some of her Komole designs below:
Deola is highly sought after by Nigerians in the diaspora for weddings and other major celebrations. Her designs have bagged her some awards in Nigeria such as the Best Costume Designer at the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and Achievement in Costume Design at the 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards as the costume designer for the film October 1.
You can order from her collections through her official website or international exhibitions like the New York Fashion Week held in February and September since she frequently participates in global fashion events.
3. Tiffany Amber (Folake Coker)
Tiffany Amber holds the record of being one of the first ready-to-wear labels in Nigeria to gain international prominence. She is also globally recognised for combining Nigerian fashion with Western designs and is based in London. Coker’s designs are great for you if you want to express your Nigerian culture stylishly while in the diaspora.
See some of her designs from the Lagos Fashion Week:
Apart from exhibiting her designs at the Lagos Fashion Week, Tiffany Amber’s work has earned her the African Luxury Heritage Brand of the Year in 2019 from Luxury Connect Africa, as well as Fashion Brand of the Year in 2012 during the Arise Magazine Fashion Week, and the Designer of the Year in 2009 at the African Fashion Week (AFI),
You can find her styles on her official website to make purchases for yourself or your loved ones.
Pro Tip: Tiffany Amber offers international shipping options so you can shop from anywhere you are in the world.
4. Duro Olowu
Duro Olowu is a London-based Nigerian designer known for designs with bold prints and bright colours. He creatively combines art with culture, making his designs popular among international celebrities and personalities.
His designs can be found at luxury boutiques across Europe and the US. His collections are also available online through platforms like Net-a-Porter, which offer worldwide delivery. See some of his designs below:
Wearing an outfit from Duro Olowu means that you get to share the same designer with the former American First Lady, Michelle Obama as she showed her support for his brand by frequently wearing his designs in the early stages of his brand.
His work earned him the Best International Designer at the African Fashion Awards in 2009.
READ ALSO: A Guide To Navigating Nigerian Social Events In The Diaspora
5. Amaka Osakwe (Maki Oh)
For adire styles that showcase your Nigerian culture, Amaka Osakwe’s Maki Oh label is an attractive option. She creatively blends Nigerian designs with modern high-fashion styles, which makes her pieces unique and authentic.
As a top designer, she has some awards to her name such as being named Designer of the Year by the African fashion magazine ARISE and has also had her work showcased at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Vitra Design Museum, and the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.
She has an online store on her official website, which you can shop from.
Top Trends in Nigerian Fashion in the Diaspora
We’ve seen the top Nigerian designers in the diaspora, but it doesn’t end there. With Nigerian fashion, there’s always a new trend, or at least, a reinvention of an old trend, and this is not different even in the diaspora. Here are some top trends in Nigerian fashion in the diaspora for you:
1. Ankara Streetwear
This is a reinvention of the use of Ankara. Usually, the first thought that comes to mind when the word “Ankara” is mentioned is traditional wear. However, the trend is shifting and the use of Ankara is being repositioned.
Imagine stepping out fully clad in streetwear made with bright-coloured Ankara. You will surely be the talk of many, not to mention the many compliments you’ll get. The essence is to look modern while still maintaining the Naija vibe and this look will give you just that.
This style is more suitable for casual and semi-formal occasions.
2. Say goodbye to All-white Wedding Dresses
If you are in the middle of planning your wedding or have plans of getting married abroad, then you should definitely consider adopting this trend. Gone are the days of a white flowy wedding ball gown. With designers like Deola Sagos, you can get creative ideas and ditch the regular English-style wedding gown using a Nigerian approach instead by switching up your dress. Here’s an idea:
3. Power Suit
There’s still so much more that can be done with an Ankara fabric so feel free to explore your options until you get a style that matches your personality. Consider sewing a suit, for instance, using an Ankara fabric and wear this to work or any formal outing.
4. Aso-Oke
This is another favourite fabric of the Yorubas apart from Ankara. This traditional fabric like Ankara, has been in use for a long time, however, some designers are starting to throb at their creativity to make redefined Aso-ebi designs. Top designers like Duro Olowu and Deola Sagoe are actively involved in doing this by making modern designs suitable for a larger audience using Aso Oke.
Tips to Stay in Touch with Trendy Nigerian Fashion Abroad
As earlier mentioned, Nigerian fashion is ever-evolving, and this is the case even in the diaspora. Just when you think you are on to the latest design, something new springs up and takes over the previous trend, and that leaves you constantly trying to play catch up, especially if you like “happening” trends. But here’s how you can keep up with the latest trends:
- Follow Nigerian fashion influencers, designers, and boutiques on social media.
- Use online platforms to shop from everywhere in the world.
- Attend fashion shows to stay up-to-date with the latest trends.
- Find the right designer to sew custom designs or shop ready-to-wear clothes that match your style.
Key Takeaways
Nigerian fashion is a representation of identity, especially for you in the diaspora. Designers like Lisa Folawiyo and Maki Oh, among others, create beautiful attire that not only makes you feel close to home and your culture but also gives you a modern and unique look with the fabrics that you are used to back home, such as Ankara and Aso-Oke.
Thanks to social media and fashion shows, you can stay up-to-date with the latest trends in Nigerian fashion in the diaspora and stock up your wardrobe with trending outfits that can be worn to weddings and other event.
Elsie Udoh is an SEO content writer who specialises in writing engaging stories that resonates with diverse audiences. She studied mass communication at the Lagos State University.
