Fashion, over the years, has been a pivotal element in the entertainment industry—from the early 1990s, down to the 21st century, helping to shape the pop culture scene from the film industry to the music scene. In recent times, the umbworld of fashion has witnessed more evolution with the advent of streetwear characterized by young fashion enthusiasts.
While Streetwear isn’t a new culture, there are individuals with distinctive brands infusing unconventional elements, Y2K demeanor, and artistic glamour, yet maintaining an aura the new generation confers as “steeze”.
In lieu of this, we spotlight young Nigerian women trailblazing and influencing the streetwear fashion industry.
Iretidayo Zaccheaus
If the name Iretidayo Zaccheaus doesn’t ring a bell, perhaps the brand name “Street Souk” will. Iretidayo aka Iretizee is the founder of Street Souk, an urban streetwear brand revolutionizing the fashion industry. With Street Souk, the Nigerian-British entrepreneur holds the largest convention of streetwear brands in West Africa spotlighting established and emerging streetwear brands. Heavily inspired by the creative genius Virgil Abloh, coupled with her love for streetwear culture in Nigeria, Ireti founded Street Souk in 2018, and has worked with notable brands and personalities including Nike, WAF, Free The Youth, Davido, Tiwa Savage and more. For Ireti, Street Souk is more than just a convention. It is a community. She also dabbles as a fashion curator for the music festival, Our Homecoming.
Mowalola Ogunlesi
Mowalola Ogunlesi has been at the forefront of pop culture revolutionizing and challenging traditional conventions through music and fashion with her eponymous brand “Mowalowa”. Mowalola helms the streetwear fashion industry with her genderless, bold and provocative designs which infuses pop cultural references and celebrates individuality. With notable works to her creativity– including designs for Nigeria’s World Cup team, and YEEZY’S GAP, Mowalola is set to stand the test of time.
Tolu Oye
Tolu Oye aka Alté-Aunty is yet another woman championing the streetwear culture for women in Nigeria. Nostalgic, eclectic, humorous, and daring describe Tolu’s fashion brand, Meji Meji, meaning double. Founded by Tolu in 2020, Meji Meji seeks to infuse a vibrant tapestry of nostalgic elements from old Nollywood and the alternative music scene, leaving women to express themselves in the aura of streetwear culture. Having worked with celebrities like Tems and Tiwa Savage, Tolu Oye is said to use Meji Meji to uphold the streetwear culture.
Ayanfe Olarinde
Ayanfe or Yanfsss as popularly known, is more than just a visual artist with ingenious talent. Hence, extending her cloak of artistry to fashion with the creation of urban streetwear brand “WWYD” which spells at What Would You Do?. Originally known as “What Would Yanfs Do?”, WWYD is a community-led and inspired brand revolutionizing pop culture using streetwear fashion and helping to shape narratives for young Africans, leaving them to express themselves in their most free state.
Ayakeme Abasi
Crochet and knitwears are seeing a new dimension with Ayakeme‘s “GAEA LUMI ” pushing the narrative. GAEA LUMI is one of the streetwear brands shaping the fashion Industry using crochet and knitwears. Also the brain behind Nigeria’s famous Hip-hop hat,’Oku Agu’ popularly worn by rapper Odumodublvck, Ayakeme is definitely a force to reckon with when it comes to streetwear.
The DIY Collective 