Fashion Pepperrow: Where Nigerian Heritage Becomes Wearable Archives Fathia OlasupoSeptember 16, 20250630 views Clothing in Nigeria has never been a simple matter of fabric and tailoring. It has long functioned as a marker of lineage, identity, and continuity. Across different ethnic groups, textiles serve as cultural signifiers: Aso-oke woven on narrow looms for Yoruba ceremonies, Adire indigo cloth dyed in Abeokuta with motifs that speak a silent language, or handwoven wrappers passed down as family heirlooms. These are not garments in the casual sense; they are living documents of history, with patterns and textures tied to memory, community, and ritual. This historical role of dress explains why fashion in Nigeria cannot be reduced to seasonal trends. Every piece is connected to practices that precede modern design houses by centuries. It is within this deep cultural terrain that Pepperrow, a brand founded by Omafume Niemogha, situated itself. Rather than divorcing fashion from its social context, the label draws directly from indigenous textiles and techniques, presenting them not as relics of the past but as active participants in contemporary design. In doing so, Pepperrow treats fashion as both an archive and an evolving language, one that continues to tell Nigeria’s story on the global stage. Omafume Niemogha’s Vision Omafume Niemogha, the founder of Pepperrow, approaches design with the sensibility of an archivist. Her fashion journey was shaped by a curiosity for cultural memory and a desire to elevate Nigerian artistry to a global stage. Unlike many designers who start with seasonal mood boards, Niemogha begins with questions: What does this fabric mean? How has it been worn through time? How can memory be carried forward in a way that feels modern and relevant? Her vision is uncompromising. Fashion for her is not surface-level adornment but layered storytelling. Every cut and texture must serve a narrative. This perspective allows Pepperrow to stand apart in an industry where heritage is often referenced superficially. Niemogha does not “borrow” culture; she restores it, reframes it, and allows it to travel into the future. The Language of Fabric Few countries can rival Nigeria’s textile wealth, and Pepperrow builds its identity on these foundations. Aso-oke: Woven by Yoruba artisans for centuries, Aso-oke is more than cloth; it is a prestigious material, worn at weddings, coronations, and naming ceremonies. Its heavy weave and metallic threads signify strength, unity, and permanence. Pepperrow transforms Aso-oke into structured jackets and experimental cuts, turning what was once strictly ceremonial into everyday statements of cultural pride. Adire: Yoruba women in Abeokuta pioneered Adire, a resist-dye technique using indigo. Historically, the motifs acted as visual language, with patterns carrying meanings of fertility, prosperity, or social critique. During colonial times, Adire became a form of silent resistance, as women sustained trade and creativity under restrictive economies. In Pepperrow’s hands, Adire emerges in modern silhouettes, reminding wearers that Nigerian textiles have always been both beautiful and politically charged. By reworking these fabrics, Pepperrow ensures they are not locked in museums or reserved only for rituals. Instead, they evolve as living textiles reinterpreted for new generations while retaining their narrative depth. Sustainability as Heritage Globally, sustainability is often framed as a modern movement born of climate urgency. But in Nigeria, sustainability has long been embedded in practice. Cloth was handwoven to last, dyed naturally with plant-based dyes, and passed down through generations. Nothing was wasted, because every thread represented labour, memory, and value. Pepperrow continues this philosophy. The brand’s slow fashion ethos rejects the logic of mass production and instead prioritises: Local sourcing — ensuring fabrics come directly from artisans rather than imported mills. The brand also prioritises upcycling, which involves revitalising existing textiles rather than disposing of them. Community empowerment aims to sustain weavers, dyers, and spinners whose crafts are at risk of extinction due to industrial competition. This positions Pepperrow differently in the global fashion sustainability discourse. Rather than adopting a Western idea of sustainability, it reframes it as heritage preservation, a recognition that African textile culture has been sustainable long before it became a buzzword. ALSO READ: Victor Nwaeze: Redefining Nigerian Fashion with Plastic Innovation The Liquida Brand: Crafting Sustainable Products from Discarded Coconut Shells in Nigeria Heritage Meets Futurism Pepperrow’s design language thrives on duality. Niemogha’s silhouettes are daring yet respectful, merging tradition with experimentation. Structured blazers cut from Aso-oke sit beside flowing gowns shaped from reworked Adire. Metallic textures meet raw indigo dyes. The result is futuristic garments that do not erase the past but extend it. What makes this dialogue powerful is its refusal to compromise. Pepperrow does not dilute indigenous fabrics to “fit” Western fashion norms. Instead, it shows that heritage itself can dictate the future. In this way, the brand contributes to a global shift where African fashion is not only included but also positioned as a source of innovation. Beyond Fashion: Economics and Identity Pepperrow is more than aesthetics; it is economic resistance. Machine-made fabrics dominate Nigeria’s markets, often undercutting traditional weavers. Young artisans are abandoning craft because the demand for their labour has weakened. Pepperrow disrupts this cycle by creating value around indigenous work. Every garment sustains a network: the spinner, the dyer, the weaver, and the tailor, ensuring skills are not lost to history. On a broader scale, Pepperrow helps reposition Nigerian fashion globally. For decades, African fashion was sidelined as “craft” or “ethnic wear.” Pepperrow reframes it as cultural luxury garments that are not just worn but collected, studied, and admired. This shift influences how Nigerian identity is understood, proving that heritage can coexist with innovation at the highest levels of global fashion. Wearable Archives Pepperrow’s philosophy is best captured in the idea of wearable archives. A dress is not just a garment; it is a living record. A jacket is not merely stitched cloth; it is an archive of weaving techniques, motifs, and stories. To wear Pepperrow is to engage with history actively, not as something static in museums, but as something alive on the body. This approach challenges the fashion industry’s obsession with novelty. Pepperrow demonstrates that newness can come by reinterpreting the old. The archive is not a relic; it is a resource for creativity. In this sense, Pepperrow’s work blurs the line between design, anthropology, and cultural preservation. Looking Ahead The trajectory of Pepperrow suggests a broader possibility for African fashion. As global audiences demand authenticity and sustainability, brands rooted in heritage will carry the future. Pepperrow exemplifies this shift: a brand proving that Nigerian textiles can set the standard for innovation while carrying cultural weight. For younger designers, Pepperrow sets a precedent. It shows that success does not mean abandoning tradition for global acceptance but instead leveraging tradition to define global relevance. As more African brands follow this path, the industry may see a rebalancing where heritage becomes the engine of luxury. Pepperrow is not just creating clothes. It is reimagining how culture, sustainability, and futurism can coexist in one garment. It is a reminder that what we wear can embody memory, scholarship, and artistry all at once. For more stylish insights and the latest fashion inspiration straight from Nigeria, explore our full coverage on Nigerian Fashion Trends. FAQs What makes Pepperrow unique in Nigerian fashion? Pepperrow stands out for transforming Aso-oke and Adire into avant-garde designs that act as cultural archives, merging heritage with modern innovation. Who is the founder of Pepperrow? The brand was founded by Omafume Niemogha, a Nigerian designer committed to preserving indigenous textiles and reinterpreting them for global relevance. How does Pepperrow promote sustainability? Pepperrow uses slow fashion methods, upcycles materials, sources fabrics locally, and supports artisan communities to sustain traditional crafts. What is the cultural significance of Pepperrow’s fabrics? Aso-oke represents Yoruba prestige and ceremony, while Adire reflects Yoruba women’s creativity and resistance. Pepperrow updates them without losing meaning. Has Pepperrow been recognised internationally? Yes, Pepperrow has showcased at Lagos Fashion Week and been featured in Vogue, positioning it as a Nigerian brand with global cultural impact.