Through Blush by Lamims, Maryam Adam is redefining elegance by blending heritage with modernity — putting Abuja firmly on the fashion map as a rising hub of creativity.
When the lights dimmed inside the Palme D’OR Garden on Sunday, the 21st of September, the room fell into a hushed anticipation. Moments later, the first model stepped onto the runway wearing a flowing, blush-toned kaftan bedazzled with gemstones in an intricate design — a piece that seemed to glide between tradition and modernity. This was Blush by Lamims, the Nigerian brand founded by Maryam Adam, unveiling its Summer/Fall collection to an audience of dignitaries, designers, and fashion lovers, some of whom had flown into Nigeria’s capital for the occasion.
Fashion meets sustainability
The show marked more than a collection debut; it was a statement of intent. Partnering with Raw Beauty, an eco-luxury skincare brand inspired by the rugged Sahel and its medicinal flora, Maryam created a multisensory experience where fashion met sustainability, and heritage met innovation. “It felt like an awakening,” she reflects. “Abuja deserves to be seen not just as the nation’s capital, but as a capital of creativity.”
A vision for Abuja Fashion Week
For Maryam, the September show wasn’t just another runway; it was the prelude to a dream she’s quietly been shaping for years: Abuja Fashion Week. The vision is clear and ambitious: To create an annual fashion event that positions Abuja as a global style capital in its own right, a city whose creative voice deserves to be heard alongside Lagos, London, and Paris.
“Lagos has been the pulse of fashion for a while,” Maryam says, “but Abuja has its own rhythm — softer, yet deeply intentional. It reflects the elegance and grace of Northern fashion, the kind of beauty that doesn’t shout but speaks with presence.”
In her eyes, Abuja’s unique cultural identity, poised between tradition and cosmopolitan modernity, offers fertile ground for a new kind of fashion narrative. The city’s architecture, its desert-kissed light, and its understated opulence all mirror the aesthetic of the Northern woman: confident, composed, and regal.
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Blush by Lamims: elegance with purpose
Blush by Lamims has always been more than a label. It’s Maryam’s love letter to femininity — soft yet unyielding, delicate yet defiant. Each collection celebrates women of every shade and size, blending her ESMOD Dubai training in pattern-making and branding with a distinctly Nigerian sense of identity. From tailored abayas that whisper elegance to fluid separates in muted pastels, her pieces reflect confidence without compromise.
However, beyond her creative pursuits, Maryam Adam’s work is deeply rooted in impact. Through her philanthropic arm, the Blush Foundation, she channels fashion into purpose. The foundation dedicates 5% of the brand’s monthly profit to initiatives that empower and support young creatives. It also provides resources to underserved communities and nurtures the next generation of artistic talent. For Maryam, style and service walk hand in hand. Each piece from Blush by Lamims is not only a statement of elegance, but also a quiet contribution toward building a more inclusive, empowered society.
Furthermore, Maryam’s leadership extends beyond design. Through Blush, she’s cultivated a community of women creatives, stylists, photographers, and artisans who thrive in a jealousy-free, collaborative environment. Her ethos of empowerment transforms the brand into a living ecosystem of support and creativity.
Redefining modesty and luxury
As she prepares for the inaugural Abuja Fashion Week, Maryam sees this movement as a cultural renaissance. “Modesty isn’t a limitation,” she says with conviction. “It’s a choice, a design language rooted in strength and self-respect.” Maryam Adam is shaping a new era of Nigerian fashion, one rooted in diversity and understated luxury that resonates far beyond borders.
