Through the vibrant, discerning lens of Lisa Folawiyo, the future of African fashion is rooted in powerful storytelling, heritage and innovation. As a Nigerian designer who embodies power and influence, she now casts her gaze forward—spotlighting the next generation of visionaries and changemakers set to shape the future of African fashion.
Lisa Folawiyo is the Marie Claire Nigeria Power Issue cover girl, and there’s no better woman to front it than her. Lisa’s influence shapes the foundation of the global African fashion movement—not just through her designs, but through every thread of her impact.
As a designer, businesswoman, and cultural force, Lisa embodies power with purpose. She creates beautiful looks, builds bridges connecting Africa to the world, opens doors, and sets standards. In addition, she shows us that you can lead with grace, grow intentionally, and still keep your finger on the pulse of what’s next.
In this issue, Lisa Folawiyo speaks on power, purpose, and the future of African fashion. The cover celebrates what Lisa has built and challenges us to look ahead, spotlighting her future plans—plans deeply rooted in her commitment to uplifting rising designers. These designers represent Lisa’s detailed eye and her commitment to legacy. It ensures that African fashion isn’t just a moment but a movement that expands, evolves, and inspires.
Lisa Folawiyo’s influence and legacy
When Lisa Folawiyo speaks—whether through her words or her designs—the fashion world listens. A trailblazer who transformed Ankara from our local staple to global luxury with her innovative, fun designs, Lisa represents what it means to lead with vision, authenticity, and style. For two decades, she has created an aesthetic that’s the perfect blend of culture and modern, redefining the narrative of Nigerian fashion on the global stage.
However, Lisa’s influence goes beyond the designs she creates. She is a mentor and a quiet architect of the future. In this exclusive Marie Claire Nigeria feature, we spotlight the designers she named as the next generation to watch—those whose work she admires and, in some cases, has mentored.
Meet Dami Olukoya of Imad Eduso, Michelle Adepoju of Kilentar, and Zara Odu of Designers Consociate—three amazing talents representing the next chapter of Nigerian fashion. These are powerful voices telling new stories through fabric, texture, culture, and craft with their outstanding work. From bold colour play to heritage-infused silhouettes and sustainable fashion activism, these women are boldly carving out their own space in the industry.
This is not just a list. This is a legacy.
Ones to watch in fashion by Lisa Folawiyo
Zara Odu – Founder, Designers Consociate
Creative entrepreneur Zara Odu always has an eye for what’s next. With over 15 years of experience in Africa’s creative landscape, Zara has established herself as a leading voice in fashion branding and sustainability. Through her consulting work as the founder of Designers Consociate, she empowers African designers to integrate sustainable practices and design principles into their work. True to her core beliefs, she also heads the open-resource platform, Roundabout, to provide resources and foster collaboration among creatives aiming for global impact.
Zara’s commitment to balancing cultural preservation and innovation seamlessly aligns with Lisa Folawiyo’s legacy. She is a pivotal figure in shaping the future of African fashion.
You’ve consulted and styled across platforms while nurturing your own creative projects. Has Lisa’s navigation of the fashion industry informed your own approach to versatility in any way?
For nearly a decade, I watched Lisa navigate the fashion industry with such authenticity and adaptability. She has an innate ability to stay attuned to the moment while remaining uncompromisingly true to herself—a rare balance. Working alongside her taught me that there’s no singular path or formula to success or creativity. It reminded me that fluidity, openness, and a willingness to evolve are just as important as having a clear vision.
Lisa is known for her visionary taste and world-building through fashion. What are the visual signatures you’re establishing in your own brand as an innovative strategist?
At Designers Consociate, our visual approach bridges science, craft, and design, guided by a deep respect for Africa’s traditional knowledge and natural materials. We’re exploring how these roots can inform the future of innovation.
If you and Lisa could map out the next 10 years of Nigerian fashion, what would your contribution be?
I hope people remember my contribution as that of a true custodian of the earth. Someone who helped people see the impact of what they create, and guided others to design with intention: consciously, circularly, and with sustainability at the core. Through innovation, I helped build pathways to truly regenerative materials, leave a positive footprint, and showed the quiet power of choosing a more sustainable future.
Michelle Adepoju – Founder, Kilentar
With a deep reverence for Yoruba culture, Michelle has built a brand that perfectly merges storytelling with intricate craftsmanship. Founded in 2019, Kilentar’s designs reflect cultural symbolism and rich textures. Her pieces are wearable history, similar to Lisa Folawiyo’s transformation of traditional Ankara into high fashion. Kilentar is a preservation of culture, reimagined for the global fashion stage.
Michelle is a trend-setter, taking her brand to the global stage with grace and style. It is no surprise that Lisa Folawiyo sees her as one of the designers gracefully shaping the future of African fashion.
Your designs are deeply rooted in Yoruba cosmology and spirituality. Do you see any parallels in how you & Lisa craft narrative through garment and form?
My journey started from a very personal place. I grew up surrounded by Yoruba spirituality and traditions and this heritage has heavily inspired me. My love for thrifting as a teenager equally shaped my eye. It taught me how to see beauty in what others might overlook, and how to piece together stories from forgotten things. That blend of reverence for the past and curiosity for reinvention is what sits at the heart of KÍLÉNTÀR.
From your brand’s name to your motifs, you lean heavily into cultural preservation. How do you balance that with innovation—something Lisa has consistently done in her own unique way?
Balancing cultural preservation with innovation isn’t something I overthink, it’s just how I move. The past is always present for me, but I’m not afraid to experiment with form or introduce new textures. When your roots are deep, you can stretch further creatively. And like Lisa, I see storytelling as central to design, each piece is carrying something bigger than itself.
Being named by Lisa as “one to watch” affirms the depth of your work. Additionally, what does that recognition mean to you—both creatively and culturally?
Lisa’s work has always stood out to me, long before I started KÍLÉNTÀR. I loved how she played with colour, shape, and structure so boldly. There’s a freedom and confidence in her designs that I’ve always respected. Being named by her as “one to watch” is incredibly meaningful. It feels like a moment of mutual recognition, one creative seeing another, and acknowledging the depth of the work.
The world is increasingly interested in African stories. How do you envision Kilentar contributing to the ongoing redefinition of African luxury fashion?
As African fashion continues to gain attention, I believe our strength lies in showing the many layers of who we are. With KÍLÉNTÀR, I’m interested in creating work that’s rooted and reflective, but also joyful, modern, and unexpected. African luxury isn’t one thing, it’s a whole world, and I’m proud to be contributing to that evolving story.
Dami Olukoya – CEO, Imad Eduso
When Dami Olukoya founded Imad Eduso in 2015, she envisioned a brand that would celebrate the multifaceted nature of women—layered, structured, vibrant, and ever-evolving. Inspired by her heritage and architectural background, Dami has cultivated a design language that speaks to the unapologetic modern woman.
Her internship with Lisa Folawiyo—then known as Jewel by Lisa—played a pivotal role in shaping Dami’s fashion journey. During this period, she observed the intentionality and precision that Lisa applied to every aspect of her work. The experience shaped Dami’s understanding of design as a medium for storytelling and cultural expression. Lisa’s mentorship— marked by openness and generosity —showed Dami the importance of building a brand with purpose and authenticity.
At the heart of Imad Eduso’s aesthetic is a commitment to celebrating women’s individuality. Imad Eduso’s pieces are more than just clothing—they breathe confidence, empowering women to express themselves with elegance and boldness. This philosophy resonates with Lisa Folawiyo’s legacy of redefining African fashion through a lens of cultural pride and innovation.
Moreover, Dami blends authenticity with innovation, grounding her designs in Nigerian heritage while boldly experimenting with new textures and forms. This echoes Lisa Folawiyo’s success in bringing African fashion to the global stage without compromising its essence.
As Imad Eduso looks to the future, Dami’s goal is to inspire confidence and joy in Imad Eduso women, leaving a lasting impact in fashion and the way women perceive themselves.
Lisa Folawiyo recognising Dami as “one to watch” is a profound honour. It’s a full-circle moment that underscores the importance of mentorship, resilience, and cultural pride in shaping the future of African fashion.
Dami Olukoya’s special message to Lisa Folawiyo
“To Aunty Lisa,
Over a decade ago, I had the rare privilege of interning with a designer whose work has not only redefined Nigerian fashion but has also expanded its visual and emotional vocabulary for the world to see. The brand was then known as Jewel by Lisa.
During my time there, I witnessed the true meaning of intentionality in fashion. Every seam, every sketch, every story told through fabric was approached with care, curiosity, and conviction. That experience left an indelible mark on me—not just because of the artistry, but also because of access to the team, especially Aunty Sike and Zara. Together, they embodied a culture of openness that welcomed young talent with generosity. Mentorship wasn’t performative; it was lived, shared, and deeply human.
Lisa has since crafted a design language that is bold, modern, and yet beautifully rooted in cultural heritage. Her re-imagination of Ankara through elegant embellishment set a new standard for what African luxury can look and feel like.
To this day, I carry lessons from the space: the value of precision, the grace of leadership, and the quiet rigor that sits behind creative innovation. Lisa’s grounded yet visionary approach to design and team-building shaped how I view legacy not as something to inherit but as something to build with intention.
It’s a beautiful thing to see her being celebrated and rightly recognised. And to be named by someone I admire so deeply as “one to watch” is a profound honour. Her journey is a reminder that vision, resilience, and cultural pride are not just pillars of a brand; they’re a blueprint for lasting impact.
It’s also a joy to publicly thank you for making space for me, answering my million-and-one questions, and continuing to lead with so much heart.”
Lisa Folawiyo — Shaping the future
We celebrate the powerful woman Lisa Folawiyo is and uplift the women she spotlights, reminding ourselves that legacy isn’t just about influence—it’s about impact.
These women are expanding what African fashion can be on a global stage. In naming them as ones to watch, Lisa isn’t just making future predictions, she’s helping shape it.
