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As far as I can remember, I have always been a lover of Nigerian fashion designers. I recall the days when I would save my money to buy a dress from Virgos Lounge (which, may I add, was always influenced by Angela Simmons). I then later started buying from their sister company VL The Label. Then started widening my fashion collection by buying printed Ankara dresses from Grassfields, a very well-known African fashion brand.
It’s funny because, looking back over my life. I am definitely not someone who would rush and say that I am a huge girly girl, or someone who loves showing out with the latest fashion or even brands or bags or anything like that. I definitely take pride in not following the crowd when it comes to fashion. I never went and bought Crocs lol (hate them still do). I love having my own style and statement piece, and I certainly do love looking cute and having nice clothes for my travels.
Fashion is my mum’s department; she loves fashion (my dad loves to remind me that Mum had me wearing Gucci as a baby lol). She **loves dressing up and looking good, and has always had her daughter in the latest designers when she can influence me lol. So by nature I have always known that one must look presentable when they are going out to church, to a party, work or even when just chilling at home lol.
Fashion over the years has certainly evolved and rightly so people are able to do anything with their fashion sense and I love it.
Somewhere between all of that, I have found that my love for Nigerian fashion brands and designers has grown more and more. And as someone who is trying to grow closer to her identity, I have thoroughly enjoyed representing when travelling and when people ask where I got something, I LOVE being able to say “oh I got this from a Nigerian fashion designer X”
Basically, I love buying from African fashion designers, and so today I wanted to share some of the everyday Nigerian fashion designers that I wear for my holidays around the world. You can buy from these fashion brands and wear them almost anywhere.
Related Post: Holiday Fashions: 6 Amazing Top Stores to Shop for Your Travel Wardrobe
Nigerian Fashion Designers
Below are some of the Nigerian fashion brands that I have tried and tested and would recommend (I wouldn’t recommend a brand if I haven’t used it myself, to be honest). I have worn a lot of these outfits, Nigerian dresses and two-piece sets at work and when travelling around the world and have received so many compliments. There are so many other brands that I am yet to try, but these are the ones that I have loved buying from, and their customer service has also been good too.
1.Ibiolaogundipe – I’ve bought a dress from them that I’ve worn in a few countries: Turkey, Zanzibar and Morocco recently for the King’s birthday party we have at the British Embassy. Their dresses are timeless indeed, you know, the kind of piece that packs well and works whether I’m out for the day wandering in Cappadocia or dressing up for dinner. For me, their dresses are a proper repeat-wear travel piece.
2. The Rail Clothing Nigeria – I always have a place for cute Nigerian dresses; I purchased a couple of pieces recently and wore one of their outfits I got in Venice on a day trip where I did a photo shoot.
3. Alluresbysbl – I’ve bought a few dresses from them, and the dresses stand out; I mean, you put on these Nigerian outfits, and you instantly feel ready for wherever you are going. The Nigerian dresses basically say “I have arrived.” I would recommend Alluresbysbl for weddings, parties, birthday dinners, and ofc travelling. I wore my cute dresses in Nigeria, and again in Matka in North Macedonia, and it got so many compliments.
4. Seamstress Lagos – I’ve mainly bought a lot of dresses and two-pieces from them for work, especially where I’ve always needed to be presentable, in meetings, but they also have lovely dresses, which I have also brought some of the blue one I wore to a cousins wedding recenlty and another which I am yet to wear sigh! Story of my life.
5. White Buttons – one of those affordable Nigerian fashion designers. I’ve bought from them frequently, for the very casual, everyday Nigerian outfits, clothing that sets you apart. I raise this one because they are super affordable, which is always a plus when buying new clothes and you want to stand out.
6. Ruks à la Mode – I am sure you have probably seen the famous tie-dye two-piece set that comes in blue and orange? This is where it is from, and boy do they have it. I honestly think that this Nigerian outfit is one of their best sellers, because I have seen it everywhere, and it surprisingly didn’t stop me from buying it. And of course I get so many compliments on this outfit. I wanted to buy so much more from them but had to rein myself in, oh my gosh.
7. ShopMora – is one of my favourite Nigerian fashion brands because they do amazing Ankara pieces that can be put into cute little outfits I recently wore one to a food festival in London last year and got lots of compliments, which I absolutely love. They are also very affordable to buy from also.
8. Jewel Jemila – Oh gosh, these Nigerian outfits are 10/10. I recently went to their pop-up and fell in love instantly with their clothes, where I bought a couple of their stunning two-pieces and an amazing Nigerian dress. You will be seeing these Nigerian outfits on some platform soon.
Stella Yedia – has a lot of cute outfits, mainly dresses that just say “I’m here”, that you can buy from. I recently bought the white dress and absolutely loved it. I wore the dress recently in Ohrid, North Macedonia and will certainly be wearing it again while travelling around the world.
How To Find Nigerian & Wider African Fashion Designers
Despite buying a lot of my cute Nigerian outfits from Nigerian fashion designers, there are also a few African fashion designers that I am yet to browse from but I still have my eye on. Here is a quick list below:
- Imad Eduso
- Shop for Style Sake
- Hanifa (I do have a dress from them that I wore in Kenya)
- MOT The Label
- Cheri ( I have actually bought from them a dress I have wore in both Nigeria and Miami)
- Sarah Boadu ( I also have a dress that I bought recently that I will be wearing soon)
- Hertunba
- Rendoll ( I recently went to their Pop Up in London, which was good)
- Heathe
And if you’re looking to discover more Nigerian and African fashion designers beyond this list, more and more platforms are popping up that host a whole range of Nigerian brands under one roof. Worth checking out:
These two platforms both showcase Nigerian designers alongside other African labels, making them a great starting point if you want to browse a wider selection in one place.
Conclusion: Nigerian Fashion Designers
My aim is to have a cupboard of Nigerian dresses and Nigerian outfits filled with lots of African fashion designer brands that I can just pick out from all the time. African fashion brands across the continent, and rightly sooo I love that people around the world are seeing Nigeria for what it has to offer beyond the stereotypes; there is so much beauty in its timeless pieces, which you will keep seeing me time and time again.
What I love about Nigerian outfits is that they take their time to really have the ready made dress or two-piece fit your own body, which is not what you get everywhere.
Have you shopped any of these Nigerian fashion designers, or found a favourite of your own? Let me know in the comments, and if you’re packing for a trip, check out my [travel toolkit] for how I plan outfits and everything else before I fly.
Let me know if this was helpful, and I am more than happy to keep updating this post if you think it will help you so be sure to subscribe so you can come back and be kept up to date on Nigerian fashion designers.
And if you are a Nigerian fashion designer or are in the list to be an upcoming African fashion designers that wants to be featured in this post then email me: info@mybreakingviews.com
Speak soon,
MBV x
