How South-South Fashion Designers Are Taking Over Lagos — One Bold Look at a Time

 In a city where style is currency and visibility is everything, a new wave of fashion powerhouses is emerging—far from their native roots, yet deeply anchored in them. These designers from Nigeria’s South-South region—places like Benin, Uyo, Port Harcourt, and Warri—have taken Lagos by storm, bringing with them a rich tapestry of culture, craftsmanship, and unapologetic creativity. With every stitch, print, and silhouette, they are rewriting the narrative, proving that you don’t have to be born in Lagos to own the runway—you just have to bring your heritage with you and make it unforgettable.

From Akwa Ibom to Edo, meet the creative powerhouses blending cultural heritage with high fashion and redefining the Lagos style scene.

Mudi, born Clement Mudiaga Enajemo from Delta State, is a celebrated Nigerian fashion designer known for his Afrocentric menswear. Since founding Mudi Africa in 1993, he has expanded across West and Central Africa. His elegant, culturally inspired designs are favored by celebrities and dignitaries, promoting African craftsmanship and elevating Nigeria’s global fashion presence.

Odio Taiwo Oseni, a Lagos-born designer, is the creative force behind Odio Mimonet, a Nigerian fashion brand established in 1995. Drawing inspiration from art and femininity, her label blends traditional African textiles with contemporary design. Known for its couture and ready-to-wear lines, Odio Mimonet celebrates elegance, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage.

Ituen Bassey blends tradition with innovation, creating fashion rich in texture, color, and meaning. Celebrated for her cultural pride and artistry, she leads Nigeria’s fashion renaissance. From Lagos to London, her work showcases African elegance and craftsmanship, making her brand a global movement rooted in identity and excellence.

Evans Akere, a lawyer-turned-designer from Edo State, founded Vanskere in 2005, redefining African menswear with clean tailoring and Afro-urban flair. His brand blends tradition with modernity, empowering men to wear culture proudly. From Lagos to global runways, Akere is putting Edo on the global fashion map with style and substance.

Ejiro Amos Tafiri, a Nigerian fashion designer from Delta State, is renowned for her elegant, Afrocentric womenswear. Her brand, established in 2010, blends traditional Nigerian attire with modern design, emphasizing fluidity and femininity. Known as Nigeria’s “Drape Queen,” Ejiro’s innovative approach has garnered international recognition, including features at Paris Fashion Week and Beyoncé’s ‘Black Parade’. Her work celebrates African heritage while redefining contemporary fashion.

Mai Atafo is a renowned Nigerian fashion designer from Edo State. He is known for his sharp, bespoke tailoring and elegant wedding and formal wear. With his brand, Atafo, he blends classic styles with modern flair, dressing celebrities and redefining Nigerian fashion with sophistication, precision, and cultural influence.

Sandrah Tubobereni, from Port Harcourt, Nigeria, is the founder of TUBO, a luxury fashion brand established in 2014. Renowned for blending traditional African aesthetics with modern design, she specializes in bespoke bridal and evening wear that celebrates femininity and cultural heritage. Her creations, favored by celebrities and dignitaries, have positioned her as a leading figure in Nigerian fashion.

Ebewele Brown, a menswear designer from Benin City, Edo State, is known for his luxury bespoke kaftans and Agbadas. Blending tradition with modern elegance, his Afrikana Culture brand, launched in Abuja in 2012, now serves elite clients across Nigeria and internationally, redefining African fashion with cultural sophistication.

Veekee, a fashion designer and professional makeup artist from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, is known for her exceptional fashion creations and styling skills. Passionate about design, she blends creativity with elegance, making a name for herself in the Nigerian fashion industry through her distinctive and stylish work.

Isi Atagamen, a Nigerian fashion designer from Lagos, transitioned from modeling to establish the Isi Atagamen Fashion Label. Her designs blend traditional African textiles like aso-oke and adire with modern silhouettes, celebrating African heritage. Her collections, such as “Isimeme” and “Elysian Reverie,” showcase this fusion. She also operates a fashion and beauty lounge in Lagos

Amy Aghomi is a Nigerian fashion designer from Warri, Delta State. She founded her eponymous luxury fashion brand in 2016, focusing on elegant, Afrocentric womenswear. Her designs blend traditional African aesthetics with modern sophistication, featuring intricate tailoring and rich fabrics. Aghomi’s creations have graced red carpets, weddings, and fashion runways, earning her recognition in Nigeria’s fashion industry. Notably, she designed a standout gown for Mercy Eke at the 2025 AMVCA, showcasing her commitment to celebrating African heritage through contemporary fashion.

11- Abasiekeme Ukanireh, the creative force behind Eki Kéré, hails from Ikot Ekpene, a vibrant town in Nigeria famously known as “The Raffia City.” Deeply rooted in her heritage, Abasiekeme channels the spirit of her hometown into every piece she creates. Ikot Ekpene’s rich masquerade traditions and its iconic raffia—a sustainable, locally sourced material—serve as the heartbeat of Eki Kéré’s unique aesthetic. Through her designs, she weaves culture, craftsmanship, and conscious fashion into a modern narrative that honors her roots.

Eki Ogunbor,hails form Edo state , a Nigerian fashion entrepreneur from Lagos, is renowned for her multifaceted contributions to the fashion industry. She is the founder of KISARA, a women’s wear accessories brand known for its handcrafted leather pieces . Eki has also served as the Style Editor at BellaNaija Style and has been involved in various fashion-related roles, including modeling and blogging. Her work emphasizes Afrocentric designs and the celebration of curvy fashion, positioning her as a prominent figure in Nigeria’s fashion scene.

Ivie Omenai, a fashion manufacturing graduate from Nigeria, is the founder of Raya Jewellery—a brand redefining local luxury. Hailing from Edo State, she crafts modern, minimalist pieces inspired by Nigerian culture. Through Raya, Ivie promotes homegrown craftsmanship, challenging perceptions of quality and championing identity, elegance, and sustainability in fashion.

Victoria Iyamah, born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, is a fashion designer of Delta State origin. She founded the brand Andrea Iyamah, known globally for its bold swimwear, bridal, and ready-to-wear collections. She started the brand at 17 while studying in Canada, and now runs it from Toronto with a flagship store in Lagos. Her designs celebrate African heritage and have been worn by international celebrities like Michelle Obama and Gabrielle Union.

Omafume Niemogha’s brand, Pepper Row, is known for its sustainable and artistic approach to fashion, incorporating handwoven textiles and plant-based dyes to create unique pieces that celebrate African heritage.