Nigerian designers are making a significant impact at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) Spring/Summer 2025, and we can’t get enough of it!
New York Fashion Week is in full swing, and Nigerian designers are making their mark on the global stage. Our very own trailblazers for Nigerian and African fashion Tia Adeola, Chuks Collins, and Onalaja are leading the charge with innovation, cultural storytelling, and boundary-pushing designs. Their presence reinforces Nigeria’s growing influence in the fashion industry, proving that African creativity is not just participating but shaping the future of global style.
Tia Adeola
For NYFW SS25, Tia Adeola is celebrating a major milestone — her brand’s 10th anniversary — with a special collection titled Homecoming. The collection is a tribute to her Nigerian roots, blending traditional influences with her signature ultra-feminine designs. Expect a stunning mix of backless sheer dresses, butterfly motifs, mermaid tails, and intricate frills — because, for Tia, fashion is as much about storytelling as it is about glamour.
Born in Nigeria and raised in London, her multicultural background is deeply embedded in her work. As she prepares for NYFW, Tia shared her approach with Essence magazine:
“My focus has been on crafting a deeply personal and meaningful collection. For this milestone, I’m ensuring every detail reflects the essence of my heritage and the evolution of my brand. This means refining the storytelling, engaging with the right partners, and staying true to my vision without getting swept up by the external pressures of NYFW.”
With Homecoming, Tia Adeola reflects on a decade of growth, using fashion as a medium to honour her heritage and artistic evolution.
Chuks Collins
Sustainability, structure, and storytelling define Chuks Collins’ work. His designs go beyond aesthetics, embodying themes of sustainability, healing, and personal transformation. For NYFW SS25, Collins continues his mission of merging sustainability with high fashion, crafting pieces that are as intentional as they are striking.
This season, he debuted Mycelium Whispers, a collaborative collection with Lush Decor that explores themes of healing and interconnectedness. Inspired by his own experience undergoing chemotherapy and the regenerative power of mushrooms, the collection delves into nature’s unseen networks of resilience and renewal.
With a design background shaped by his British-Nigerian heritage and global influences, Collins brings a distinct international perspective to his work. His ability to fuse fluid silhouettes, bold textures, and structural innovation results in pieces that feel like wearable art — pushing the boundaries of both sustainability and storytelling.
Onalaja
Onalaja’s NYFW SS25 collection continues her legacy of craftsmanship, bold colours, and intricate detailing, presenting pieces that feel both deeply rooted in tradition and refreshingly modern. Founded by Kanyinsola Onalaja, the brand is a love letter to Nigerian heritage, merging African artistry with Italian tailoring to create luxurious, statement-making designs.
This is far from Onalaja’s first time on the global stage — she is no rookie. Her designs have caught the attention of Hollywood’s biggest stars, with Chlöe Bailey, Jennifer Hudson, and more wearing her signature pieces. Known for her fearless approach to maximalism, she expertly plays with texture clashes, intricate beadwork, and sculptural silhouettes, proving that luxury fashion can honour culture while remaining contemporary.
From ruffles to fashion-focused sustainability and bold craftsmanship, these designers are shaping the future of fashion. Nigerian creativity isn’t just making an impression at NYFW — it’s leading the conversation.
Which collection are you most excited to see on the runway?
