FEMI OLAYEBI: THE ARCHITECT OF AFRICA’S LEATHER REVOLUTION

There are people who make things that are popular and then there are people who create entire industries. Femi Olayebi is one of those people who create industries. As the founder of Femi Handbags and the person behind the Lagos Leather Fair she has done something that’s not common in the African fashion world. She has created a brand and a whole system around it.

Femi Handbags is not a name. It is a statement. Each bag is made with the confidence of a woman who knows that the things you carry with you are not extras. They are what complete your look. Femi Handbags are made with skills from Nigeria and a strong attention to detail which has helped the brand stand out in a market that is looking for luxury items that are unique.

Femi Olayebi did not stop with just her own brand. Nine years ago she started the Lagos Leather Fair.. This changed the way people think about leather goods from Africa. What started as a place for people to meet has grown into a movement bringing together people who make things, designers, manufacturers and buyers. This shows the world that Africa is not a place where raw materials come from. It is also a place where finished products are made.

The Lagos Leather Fair has become the important event in Africa for people who work with leather. It is a place where new talent can be discovered and where known names can show their work. Femi Olayebi built it with the care and intention that she puts into every bag that leaves her studio. It is thoughtful, precise and impossible to ignore.

In an industry where the person who shouts the loudest often gets the attention Femi Olayebi has chosen to do things differently. She has chosen a kind of power that builds things slowly and carefully and lets the work speak for itself. Femi Olayebi and her work, with Femi Handbags and the Lagos Leather Fair are an example of this.