Manny Ita
Nigerian luxury fashion designer Omosalewa Ogunjimi, founder of the brand SHALLYBLAQ, has won the Continental Winner award in the Apparel Category at the Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD) Africa Talent Leather Design Competition, marking a major milestone for Nigeria’s fashion industry on the continental stage.
Ogunjimi clinched the top prize with her collection titled “UNBURNT,” a body of work inspired by Moremi Ajasoro, the revered Yoruba warrior queen. The collection features sculptural couture silhouettes crafted from cowhide leather, drawing on Adire-inspired motifs and incorporating symbolic references to fire, resilience, and protection.
The designs stood out for their blend of cultural storytelling and contemporary leather craftsmanship, aligning with the competition’s focus on innovation and sustainability in the use of natural leather materials.
The victory is considered historic, as it represents the first time Nigerian designers have advanced to the final stage of the RLSD Africa Talent Leather Design Competition and secured the overall continental prize. Industry observers say the win underscores Nigeria’s growing influence and creative strength in the sustainable luxury leather sector across Africa.
