I was scrolling through my Instagram timeline a couple of days ago. I stumbled on a page, where they recycle old clothes. The clothes are shredded, transformed into transparent bricks by adding animal glue, and repurposed for either furniture or aesthetics. I thought it was a cute and genius idea. So, I decided to do something on Nigerian brands promoting sustainable fashion.
I must warn you before we delve in (excuse my AI), that these brands may not be your prevalent ones. But I promise you, their processes are eco-friendly and sustainable, as opposed to fast fashion.
Sustainable fashion means the products, processes and activities aimed to achieve a carbon-neutral industry built on equality, social justice, animal welfare, and ecological integrity. – Wikipedia.
These brands prioritize natural dyes over artificial ones, ethical manufacturing, reducing waste, and biodegradable materials to mention a few.
Now that you have an idea of what sustainable fashion is, let’s roll!!!
The Wuman Brand
Born from the love of expressing himself through art and telling stories through fashion, Ekwerika Chukwuma, the CEO of the Wuman brand gave life to the brand as a Lagos-based artist. He loves to play mix and match with simple fabrics. The brand caters to both male and female audiences and produces a variety of clothes that range from shirts to skirts, bags, shoes, trousers, jackets, sets, and dresses.
I think the rule of not rocking pattern on pattern is now archaic because ‘the Wuman brand” does it exceptionally well. Their fabrics are unique and chic and have a touch of African roots to them.
Take a trip to their IG page here.
Ethnik Afrika
Ethnik Afrika is a fashion and accessory brand situated at 16 Randle Ave, Surulere, Lagos. They take pride in creating unique fashion pieces such as saddle handbags, tote bags, sneakers, and throw blankets, with fabrics like the traditional Aso Oke, leather.
They also go as far as telling unique stories, inspired by African countries through their fashion taste and vibrant colors, which I must say is a brilliant Unique Selling Point of theirs.
So if you are a lover of art and unique pieces, you should check them out via Instagram.
Orange Culture
If you hear fashion pieces that bear indigenous names like “the Mope Top” and “the Tobi pants”, then you already know they are from The Orange Culture. I like how they particularly cater to the male folks in the most stylish ways you could ever imagine. Who knew men’s fashion could be so versatile, yet classy?
Their CEO, Adebayo Oke-Lawal launched the brand in 2010. He had worked for several Nigerian designers, to turn his unique vision and passion for fashion into a reality. Adebayo has worked with popular celebrities like Flavour, Kizz Daniel, Mr. Eazi, Taymesan, Adekunle Gold, Ebuka, Davido, Enioluwa, Denrele…
Check them out here.
Keneth Ize
His fashion pieces were modeled by Naomi Campbell, debuting the fall-winter womenswear collection. Kenneth Ize is a Nigerian designer who has expressed that “The way our clothes are made is changing the narrative of how fashion can look. Fashion can make people travel to understand another’s culture. Fashion is a way of communicating from a distance.”
The Keneth Ize brand creates pieces that explore beautiful colors, stripes, and patterns with a vast range of fabrics.
Find the Keneth Ize brand on Instgaram.
Mikunstitch
You know how the girlies now gravitate more towards knitwear, like bikinis, flared pants extreme crop tops. I found you a new plug, and she is Mikunstitch on Instagram.
Mikunstitch is a crafter of handmade timeless fashion pieces for the modern woman. She makes hand-knitted stylish wear. Just think of anything wearable by a woman and she’s your plug. Now, she is not one of your popular fashion brands. Trust me when I say she puts in the hard work and sure does know her onions.
One of Mikun’s two-piece knitted set was rocked by Bella Okagbue, one of the former Big Brother Naija housemates. It was during one of their photo shoot sessions. Bella doesn’t joke with her fashion pieces, so if she rocked a set before, then you better know this brand is the truth.
Need I remind you that wool is described as the ultimate sustainable Yarn? It grows naturally and can be “harvested” without any harm to the sheep. It can be processed in a way that has a low or zero carbon impact.
Find Mikun on IG here.
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