Best Fashion Designers in Nigeria 2025: Top Creatives & Luxury Brands

The Nigerian fashion industry continues to redefine creativity in Africa and beyond. Once a niche scene, it has now become a vibrant force on the global stage , blending traditional aesthetics with modern elegance. The best fashion designers in Nigeria are not only crafting breathtaking garments but also telling Africa’s story through texture, colour, and craftsmanship.

Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast seeking inspiration or simply curious about who’s shaping Nigeria’s fashion identity in 2025, this guide spotlights the most influential names transforming the industry with innovation, luxury, and cultural pride.

 

Top Fashion Designers in Nigeria for 2025

1. Deola Sagoe
2. Lisa Folawiyo
3. Lanre Da Silva Ajayi
4. Mai Atafo
5. Tiffany Amber
6. Ituen Basi

 

1. Deola Sagoe – The Queen of African Couture

Deola Sagoe stands as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated and internationally recognized designers. Known for her luxury craftsmanship, Deola has built a legacy that bridges African heritage and modern haute couture.

Her collections blend Aso Oke, Adire, and Ankara fabrics with refined Western silhouettes, producing elegant designs admired across global fashion weeks.

Signature Style:

• Hand-dyed textiles, intricate beadwork, and meticulous tailoring.
• Designs that exude confidence, sophistication, and cultural depth.

Notable Achievements:

• Featured at Arise Fashion Week and London Fashion Week.
• Her “Komole Kandids” bridal line redefined Nigerian luxury weddings.

Deola’s work symbolizes the strength and beauty of African femininity — earning her the well-deserved title of “Queen of African Fashion.”

2. Lisa Folawiyo – The Master of Beaded Couture

Lisa Folawiyo is a visionary who transformed Ankara into high-fashion luxury. Her brand, Jewel by Lisa, revolutionized how the world views African prints , adding intricate beadwork and embellishments that elevate each design into couture art.

Signature Style:

• Elegant fusion of beads, sequins, and Ankara.
• Contemporary, glamorous silhouettes perfect for red carpet appearances.

Notable Achievements:

• Featured in Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar.
• Winner of multiple international fashion awards.

Lisa’s creative genius proves that African prints can command global attention and redefine couture.

 

3. Lanre Da Silva Ajayi: Bold, Feminine, and Elegant

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi (LDA) brings timeless femininity and confidence to Nigerian fashion. Known for her bold colour choices and sophisticated cuts, Lanre’s collections celebrate women who love glamour, grace, and individuality.

Signature Style:

• Luxurious lace, satin, and chiffon fabrics.
• Vibrant colours and vintage-inspired silhouettes.

Notable Achievements:

• Showcased at London Fashion Week and Arise Fashion Week.
• Styled numerous Nigerian celebrities and global icons.

Her designs perfectly balance heritage and modern elegance, making LDA one of the most sought-after labels in Africa.

 

4. Mai Atafo: The Tailoring Genius

When it comes to bespoke suits and bridal wear, no name rings louder than Mai Atafo. His mastery of tailoring and attention to detail have earned him a reputation as Nigeria’s most precise craftsman.

Signature Style:

• Sharp, clean cuts with impeccable finishing.
• Classic suits, tuxedos, and bridal gowns that exude sophistication.

Notable Achievements:

• Founder of Mai Atafo Bespoke — Nigeria’s premier custom tailoring brand.
• Regular features at ARISE Fashion Week and other international runways.

Mai’s designs blend traditional fabrics with refined European tailoring, redefining modern African luxury.

 

5. Tiffany Amber: Pioneering Modern African Elegance

Founded by Folake Folarin-Coker, Tiffany Amber is a trailblazing luxury brand that embodies grace, sophistication, and the essence of modern African womanhood.

Folake’s work celebrates Africa’s cultural richness through flowing gowns, intricate embroidery, and soft, feminine silhouettes.

Signature Style:

• Flowing kaftans, dresses, and separates with delicate beadwork.
• Warm, earthy tones and prints that narrate African stories.

Notable Achievements:

• First African designer to showcase twice at New York Fashion Week.
• Featured in Forbes Power Women for her influence on global fashion.

Tiffany Amber’s legacy continues to inspire young designers across the continent to merge culture with modern luxury.

Multiple awards, including:

• Designer of the Year at the African Fashion International.
• Recognised in Forbes Power Women for her influence in reshaping African fashion.
• Expanded her brand internationally, launching Ready-to-Wear collections in Europe and North America, making African fashion accessible globally.

Impact on Fashion:

• Pioneered the concept of luxury ready-to-wear collections in Nigeria.
• Inspired a new generation of African designers to embrace their heritage while innovating for a global market.
• Launched mentorship programs and workshops to empower emerging Nigerian designers.

 

6. Ituen Basi: The Print Innovator

Ituen Basi is renowned for revolutionizing Ankara in contemporary fashion. Her fearless approach to prints, patterns, and textures has made her a household name in African design.

Signature Style:

• Layered Ankara prints with asymmetrical cuts and modern silhouettes.
• Playful use of colour and patchwork for expressive storytelling.

Notable Achievements:

• Winner of Emerging Designer of the Year at Arise Fashion Week.
• Featured in Vogue Italia, Elle, and Marie Claire.

Impact on Fashion:
Ituen promotes sustainable fashion by repurposing traditional textiles, proving that African design can be both eco-conscious and world-class.

Impact on Fashion:

• Introduced a unique approach to sustainable fashion by promoting the reuse and reinterpretation of traditional fabrics.
• Advocated for the global recognition of Ankara prints as a high-fashion material, challenging stereotypes about African textiles.
• She established herself as a role model for young African designers, inspiring them to embrace their roots while pushing creative boundaries.

Memorable Collections:

• “Ankara & Beads” Collection: A groundbreaking series that combined bold prints with intricate beading, showcasing a fresh take on African fabrics.
• “Fragmented” Collection: A tribute to Nigeria’s cultural diversity, featuring designs that symbolise unity through the fusion of patterns and textures.

Cultural Influence:

Ituen Basi’s work has elevated African prints to a new level of respect and admiration in fashion. It proves that tradition and innovation can coexist beautifully.

READ ALSO:

• Who are the Youngest Fashion Designers in Nigeria?
• Top 10 Nigerian Fashion Designers to Follow in 2024
• 2024 Top 10 Nigerian Designers Redefining Global Fashion with African

 

Emerging Nigerian Fashion Designers to Watch (2025–2026)

Nigeria’s next generation of designers are redefining fashion through sustainability, streetwear, and tech innovation. Keep your eye on:

• Atafo Junior – redefining men’s urban elegance.

• Kai Collective – merging inclusivity with high-end fashion.

• Tubobereni – leading bridal couture innovation.

The Evolution of Nigerian Fashion Designers in 2025

From Deola Sagoe’s couture mastery to Mai Atafo’s sharp tailoring and Lisa Folawiyo’s beadwork brilliance, Nigerian fashion proves that tradition and modernity can coexist beautifully.

Each designer tells a story, one of creativity, pride, and resilience, establishing Nigeria as a global fashion powerhouse.

Conclusion

The best fashion designers in Nigeria represent more than style, they embody innovation, identity, and global influence. As 2025 unfolds, Nigeria’s fashion industry continues to thrive, producing designs that celebrate heritage while pushing creative boundaries.

Explore more stories on culture, art, and creativity on our Discover Nigeria page.

 

FAQs About Nigerian Fashion Designers

1. Who is the best fashion designer in Nigeria?

Deola Sagoe, Lisa Folawiyo, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Mai Atafo, and Shola Adewumi are some of the top fashion designers in Nigeria, each with their signature styles.

2. What is Deola Sagoe known for?

Deola Sagoe is known for her luxury designs that fuse traditional African fabrics with modern Western designs, creating elegant and bold couture.

3. What makes Mai Atafo’s designs special?

Mai Atafo is known for his exceptional tailoring skills, particularly in creating bespoke suits and wedding gowns that fit perfectly and exude sophistication.

4. What is Lisa Folawiyo’s signature style?

Lisa Folawiyo is famous for her beadwork and embellishments on African fabrics, creating high-fashion couture with a focus on detail and elegance.

5. How do Nigerian fashion designers incorporate African culture into their designs?

Many Nigerian designers use traditional fabrics like Ankara, Aso Oke, and Adire, combining them with modern cuts and styles to celebrate African heritage while embracing global trends.