Lisa Folawiyo
Lisa Folawiyo is a Nigerian womenswear label founded in 2005 by the Lagos-born designer of the same name. It combines West African Ankara textiles with modern tailoring and hand-applied beading and sequins.
| Founded | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Former name | Jewel by Lisa |
| Founder | Lisa Folawiyo |
| Signature | Embellished Ankara textiles |
| Website | lisafolawiyo.com |
What is Lisa Folawiyo?
Lisa Folawiyo is a Nigerian designer label founded in 2005 by Lisa Folawiyo, a Lagos-born designer who studied law at the University of Lagos. The brand began as Jewel by Lisa and was later renamed after its founder.
History
The label started from the founder's home with an initial investment of 20,000 naira. The first pieces were made together with her mother from 12 yards of fabric. Since then the brand has grown to reach customers on several continents and has been featured in Vogue Italia in 2012.
Products and positioning
The signature of the house is traditional West African Ankara cloth reworked with modern tailoring and embellished with beading and sequin trims. The collections are womenswear and sit in the designer segment. Pieces by the label are held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and actress Issa Rae has worn the brand.
Distribution
Lisa Folawiyo has operated showrooms in Nigeria and New York.
Why it matters
The label is one of the names that helped reposition Ankara print as a material for international designer fashion, showing how a Lagos brand can build a global customer base from local textile traditions.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Lisa Folawiyo?
Lisa Folawiyo is a Lagos-born Nigerian designer who founded her eponymous womenswear label in 2005.
What was Lisa Folawiyo's brand originally called?
The brand launched as Jewel by Lisa and was later renamed Lisa Folawiyo.