Inside the World of Maliko: Lagos’ Most Sculptural Footwear Brand

Maliko is a footwear brand based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded by Ebuka Omaliko. Known for its sculptural forms and detailed construction, the label operates at the intersection of design and artisan work. Each shoe is produced through local collaboration, research, and a process that prioritises technique over trends. While many brands pursue a global aesthetic or mass appeal, Maliko focuses on establishing a distinct design identity rooted in the Nigerian context.

 

Who Is Ebuka Omaliko?

Ebuka Omaliko started Maliko without formal training in design or fashion. While studying pharmacology at the University of Lagos, he undertook internships at Lagos Fashion Week and other production spaces, gaining experience in styling, retail, and backstage operations.

This hands-on exposure helped him understand how fashion functions beyond the runway. He launched Maliko in 2018 as a made-to-order brand, starting with custom footwear for individual clients. His early designs stood out for their distinctive shape and innovative approach, gradually evolving into complete collections stocked internationally.

Omaliko is involved in every step from sketching to sourcing to prototyping. His approach combines artistic vision with functionality, built through repeated trial, material testing, and artisan feedback.

 

The Design Process at Maliko

1. Concept Development

Each design begins with a focused idea, often pulled from daily observations in Lagos. For example, one shoe design mimicked the ridges of used truck tires seen across Nigerian highways. Another played with the layered patterns found in traditional woven cloth. These references are interpreted through shape and structure, then tested as physical prototypes.

 

2. Handmade Construction

Maliko shoes are handcrafted in Lagos. This includes everything from leather cutting and stitching to wooden heel carving and pattern transfers. Production is done in small batches or made-to-order, depending on the piece. Omaliko works with artisans directly to refine each step, ensuring technical strength and visual clarity in the final product.

 

3. Use of Local Materials

The brand uses locally sourced leather, upcycled fabrics, and, in some cases, reclaimed wood. Some pairs feature leather weaving or beading, while others combine multiple textures in a single design. Rather than outsourcing components or overproducing, Maliko emphasises traceability and efficiency.

 

Maliko’s Artisan Network

One of the key aspects of Maliko’s work is its collaboration with local artisans. Shoemakers, weavers, carvers, and tailors across Nigeria contribute to various stages of the production process. Some artisans are trained internally, while others bring years of independent experience to the table.

This model enables the brand to maintain local production while establishing a system that values and develops creative labour. Each shoe is not just designed in Lagos; it is built through Lagos.

Maliko also reinvests in artisan education, offering workshops and skills development, especially to younger makers. In a city where most fashion work is informal and uncredited, Maliko makes space for visible, respected collaboration.

 

Key Collections and Milestones

Maliko’s collections are not released on seasonal schedules. Each drop is treated as a study of form, colour, or material. In one project, Omaliko experimented with large circular platforms and staggered heels, resulting in silhouettes rarely seen in Nigerian footwear. Another focused on combining suede and metal eyelets in architectural ways.

In 2018, the brand won the Green Access Prize at Lagos Fashion Week, a platform that recognises sustainability and innovation in African fashion. Since then, Maliko has been stocked on international retail platforms, including Industrie Africa and ADJOAA, and profiled in publications such as Vogue Italia and Guardian Life.

 

Where to Buy Maliko Shoes

Maliko products are available on the brand’s official website and through curated platforms that focus on African designers, such as ADJOAA.

Each piece is listed with details about materials, fit, and design references. Because of the made-to-order nature, some designs may require a lead time for delivery.

Get to know the Top Nigerian Shoemakers Revolutionising the Footwear Industry.

 

Why Maliko Matters

In Nigeria’s fashion economy, most footwear is either imported or mass-produced with little design input. Maliko offers a different path, one that balances high design with local execution. It demonstrates that design innovation can originate from within Nigeria, rather than relying on overseas templates.

Maliko’s structure also supports long-term industry growth by creating opportunities for trained artisans and showing younger designers what is possible without outsourcing. In a city like Lagos, where fashion workers are often invisible, Maliko proves that collaboration, transparency, and process still matter.

Read Also: Keexs Footwear: The Nigerian Sneaker Brand Redefining Afrocentric Fashion

 

Conclusion 

Maliko is more than a footwear brand; it is a design lab and production house rooted in Lagos. Under Ebuka Omaliko’s leadership, the brand has carved out a clear space for Nigerian footwear that is thoughtful, well-constructed, and globally relevant without losing its local roots.

Its shoes may not be widely available in shopping malls or fast fashion chains, but they’re showing what Nigerian design can look like when process, people, and product are treated with equal value.

 

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For more stylish insights and the latest fashion inspiration straight from Nigeria, explore our full coverage on Nigerian Fashion Trends.

 

FAQs

1. Who is the founder of Maliko?

Maliko was founded by Nigerian designer Ebuka Omaliko, based in Lagos.

2. What makes Maliko shoes unique?

They are handmade, sculptural, and produced through close collaboration with Nigerian artisans using locally sourced materials.

3. Where is Maliko based?

Maliko is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

4. How can I buy Maliko shoes?

You can shop through Maliko’s official site or international platforms like Industrie Africa and ADJOAA.

5. Does Maliko use Nigerian artisans?

Yes. Every pair is made by local artisans who handle design, pattern-making, carving, and stitching.