This International Women’s Day, we are delighted to spotlight some of the fantastic female designers that we work with locally and internationally, who through their hard work, creativity and courage, have charted new courses in the fashion industry and shattered the glass ceiling, redefining what is possible for women in this highly competitive space.
DYE LAB
Dye Lab is a beloved Nigerian brand that celebrates the true essence of African fashion. With its traditional-contemporary fusion approach to fashion, Dye Lab pieces are instantly recognisable for their vibrant and energetic fabric colours and patterns that light up any room the wearer walks into and bring cheer to even the gloomiest of days.
Dye Lab unifies fashion lovers from all walks of life with easy to wear pieces of well crafted fashion, ranging from kaftans and culottes to bibs, jumpsuits and everything in-between. Loved by men and women alike, Dye Lab is a pacemaker in the female-led fashion scene.
ZASHADU
The eponymous ‘Zashadu’ brand is an amalgamation of the founder’s name, Zainab Ashadu, providing a clue to her personal investment in all parts of the creative process of her iconic pieces. The British-Nigerian brand specialises in creating sustainable bespoke leather accessories ranging from inspired collections of purses and handbags to one-of-a-kind shoes for men and women.
Zashadu is committed to engendering equality and fostering economic empowerment for low-skilled and semi-skilled workers by providing institutional hybrid training. Zashadu creations are exquisite works of guilt-free creativity that explore the tension between quiet elegance and unabashed glamour.
ITUEN BASI
Ituen-Basi is a female-led premium lifestyle brand that celebrates individuality and heritage in a stylish combination of timeless elegance with contemporary flair. Since its establishment in 2008, the fashion house has promoted the culture and heritage of Nigeria by working with some quintessential Nigerian fabrics like Ankara and Aso-Oke and integrating time-honoured crafting techniques into its designs. The brand’s ethos of excellence can be observed readily in values like intricate fabric treatment, design rendering, garment construction and waste management.
Ituen Basi creates stylish dresses, blouses and skirts in elaborate designs, using a variety of exciting fabrics to create iconic cultural pieces that tell a story.
RAYA JEWELLERY
Founded in Lagos in 2014, Raya Jewellery empowers women who love fashion by delivering to them beautiful, high-quality jewellery pieces using semi-precious stones that are meticulously chosen for their beauty, color, and shape. In a world where it is not uncommon for women to be slighted for their interest in items of adornment, Raya Jewellery presents a refreshing approach of confidently embracing the things that bring joy.
Raya Jewellery pieces are distinct for their addition of vibrant sophistication to any ensemble. Speaking directly to the hearts of its wearers, each Raya Jewellery treasure is crafted with as little modifications to the natural stones as possible, delivering a soul-affirming message of self acceptance and beauty in the natural form. From offices to feature films, and from Nigeria to the global scene, Raya Jewellery has cemented its place as a well-loved voice in women’s fashion across the world.
TAANGERINE TIGER
Taangerine Tiger is a blend of Indian and Nigerian cultures to create a masterpiece resort wear brand that is inspired by a passion for travel and the beauty of nature to deliver “Style Beyond Boundaries.”
The brand itself is heavily influenced by founder Aarti Mahtani, an Indian woman who grew up in Nigeria, and who interweaves her life’s journey into the creation of her intricate and vibrant pieces, borrowing from each of the cultures that she holds so dear. The Taangerine Tiger nucleus of elegant ease heavily influences the premium fabrics and timeless designs that the brand is famous for.
IAMISIGO
IAMISIGO is a cultural revolution that aims to preserve history and transmit knowledge through fashion and textiles, utilizing the human body as the canvas and vehicle of communication. The well-awarded international brand uses unconventional materials, converting them into garments and fibers to create wearable art. IAMISIGO employs an artisanal hand-made approach, working reverently with indigenous artisans to source and craft pieces in various African regions with meticulously consideration for their methods, practices, and environments.
The brand showcases strong African pride and heritage, and has graced highly esteemed runways like the London, Paris and Lagos Fashion Week and the 2024 edition of Africa Fashion hosted in Melbourne, Australia. IAMISIGO recently won the Zolando Visionary 2025 Award, sealing a runway collection display at the Copenhagen Fashion Week SS26 in August.
This non-exhaustive list highlights just a token of leaders out of a wider selection of enterprising women who inspire us daily with their ambition, excellence and grit.
JOURNAL
