Nigeria’s $4.7 billion fashion industry is fast becoming one of the country’s most dynamic cultural exports, with a new generation of designers pushing its luxury segment onto the global stage.
Once overlooked in conversations about international fashion capitals, Lagos now hosts runway shows, pop-up boutiques, and collaborations that rival those in Paris and Milan.
The rise of Nigerian luxury design is more than a style story; it reflects a broader economic and cultural shift.
Designers are drawing from centuries-old textile traditions and craftsmanship, blending them with contemporary aesthetics that appeal to a cosmopolitan market. Their creations are worn by celebrities, featured in global publications, and increasingly stocked by international retailers.
Behind the glamour is a story of ambition and resilience. These designers are navigating challenges from supply-chain disruptions to limited infrastructure while still finding ways to build sustainable businesses, create jobs, and amplify Nigeria’s influence in the global fashion economy.
In this feature, Nairametrics highlights luxury designers shaping the industry’s future, offering a window into how Nigeria is redefining fashion at home and abroad.
Ohimai “Mai” Atafo is a Nigerian fashion designer and the founder of ATAFO, a luxury fashion house known for bespoke tailoring, bridalwear, and contemporary ready-to-wear pieces. Born in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Atafo trained at the Savile Row Academy in the United Kingdom, where he honed the craftsmanship that would later define his brand.
Before entering fashion full-time, Atafo built a career in marketing, holding positions at British American Tobacco and later Guinness Nigeria, where he rose to the role of Brand Manager. In 2010, he left the corporate sector to establish Mai Atafo Inspired, a label that quickly gained recognition among Nigeria’s celebrity circles. By 2011, the brand expanded into bridalwear with Weddings by Mai, positioning Atafo at the forefront of Nigeria’s luxury wedding industry.
Today, as Chief Creative Officer of ATAFO, he oversees a brand that has developed a national and international clientele, recognised for precision tailoring and innovation. His contributions to African fashion have been acknowledged with awards such as Designer of the Year (2013) at the Glitz Style Awards and Menswear Designer of the Year (2015) at Lagos Fashion and Design Week.
