5. KOMOLE: A New Architecture of Occasion
Within this rich tradition of occasion, Komole represents a distinctive moment of reinvention. Developed by Deola Sagoe through her experimentation with Aso-Òkè, Komole transformed a familiar textile into a new language of sculptural form, intricate construction and contemporary elegance, creating silhouettes at once recognisably rooted in Nigerian dress and strikingly contemporary. Komole was more than an experiment with material. It offered a new interpretation of ceremonial dressing, responding to the aspirations of women seeking both cultural connection and individual expression. Its development reflects the continuing dialogue between inherited textile knowledge, the imagination of the designer and the skills of the artisans who bring these creations to life. Not a departure from tradition, but an extraordinary expression of its capacity for reinvention.
LIST OF WORKS
1. DEOLA SAGOE, KOMOLE
Lagos, Nigeria
Aṣọ Òkè, specially developed woven textiles, lace and hand-finished embellishment
Through a decade of experimentation with weavers, textiles and lace, Deola Sagoe transformed the possibilities of Aṣọ Òkè, creating Komole, a distinctive expression of contemporary Nigerian couture.
Private collection of Reni Folawiyo
More articles
Notice: Trying to get property 'url' of non-object in /home/alaral5/public_html/wp-content/uploads/cache/b94af33cf1b77d55cfe02614e0d9b67752abf0f9.php on line 270
< Previous
1. TIFFANY AMBER, FOUR LOOKS AND ACCESSORIES
Lagos, Nigeria
Reimagined iro and buba
Red silk wrapper and blouse with floral appliqué.
Reimagined iro and buba, emerald green silk with corsage and wrapper.
Intricate interlocking strips of black cotton, with green sequins.
Courtesy of Tiffany Amber
2. LISA FOLAWIYO
Lagos, Nigeria
2022–2025 · Lace and silk, hand-beaded and sequinned
Two dresses, each built on print and hours of hand embellishment.
The Referee Dress, from the Spring/Summer 2025 collection ‘The Startling Line’, takes the lines of a sports pitch and beads them across the whole look to catch the light. Beside it, a dress in beaded and sequinned lace: the stitches that give it structure are the same ones that give it play.
Courtesy of Lisa Folawiyo
3. LANRE DA SILVA AJAYI
Lagos, Nigeria
Pink, black and gold, ruffled and embellished
Courtesy of Lanre Da Silva Ajayi
4. ODIO MIMONET
Lagos, Nigeria
Surface treatment of beads and other embellishment on wrapper made with Ankara fabric
Courtesy of Odio Mimonet
5. BESPOKE MAI ATAFO
Lagos, Nigeria
Courtesy of Mai Atafo
6. KENNETH IZE, ASO OKE SUIT AND OVERCOAT
Lagos and Ilorin, Nigeria
Aṣọ Òkè
Kenneth Ize’s aso oke is woven for the label by weavers in Kwara State using experimental yarns, in checks and stripes of his own design, then cut as tailoring.
Collection of ALÁRA
Mrs Ebi Williams
Faridah Folawiyo
7. ITUEN BASI
Lagos, Nigeria
Innovative surface treatment of Ankara
Courtesy of Ituen Basi
8. MAKI OH, ADIRE
Lagos, Nigeria
Hand-dyed adire, print and sequins, tailored
Maki Oh, founded by Amaka Osakwe in 2010. Amaka took adire out of the wrapper and into the cut garment and became the catalyst for the Adire renaissance we see today. Using cloth dyed by artisans with traditional Adire dyeing skills and combining with the designer’s contemporary design aesthetic, she created a modern nostalgic language.
Reni Folawiyo collection
9. NUPE WEAVING, BIDA TEXTILES
Attributed to Bida, Niger State, Nigeria
Date unknown · Handwoven textiles
Associated with the weaving traditions of the Nupe people, these textiles feature distinctive patterns and woven inscriptions.
Acquired together approximately twenty years ago, the pieces offer a glimpse into the relationship between weaving, personal expression and cultural identity.
Their inscriptions and precise origins remain subjects for further research.
Private collection of Reni Folawiyo
1. TIFFANY AMBER, FOUR LOOKS AND ACCESSORIES
Lagos, Nigeria
Reimagined iro and buba
Red silk wrapper and blouse with floral appliqué.
Reimagined iro and buba, emerald green silk with corsage and wrapper.
Intricate interlocking strips of black cotton, with green sequins.
Courtesy of Tiffany Amber
2. LISA FOLAWIYO
Lagos, Nigeria
2022–2025 · Lace and silk, hand-beaded and sequinned
Two dresses, each built on print and hours of hand embellishment.
The Referee Dress, from the Spring/Summer 2025 collection ‘The Startling Line’, takes the lines of a sports pitch and beads them across the whole look to catch the light. Beside it, a dress in beaded and sequinned lace: the stitches that give it structure are the same ones that give it play.
Courtesy of Lisa Folawiyo
3. LANRE DA SILVA AJAYI
Lagos, Nigeria
Pink, black and gold, ruffled and embellished
Courtesy of Lanre Da Silva Ajayi
4. ODIO MIMONET
Lagos, Nigeria
Surface treatment of beads and other embellishment on wrapper made with Ankara fabric
Courtesy of Odio Mimonet
5. BESPOKE MAI ATAFO
Lagos, Nigeria
Courtesy of Mai Atafo
6. KENNETH IZE, ASO OKE SUIT AND OVERCOAT
Lagos and Ilorin, Nigeria
Aṣọ Òkè
Kenneth Ize’s aso oke is woven for the label by weavers in Kwara State using experimental yarns, in checks and stripes of his own design, then cut as tailoring.
Collection of ALÁRA
Mrs Ebi Williams
Faridah Folawiyo
7. ITUEN BASI
Lagos, Nigeria
Innovative surface treatment of Ankara
Courtesy of Ituen Basi
8. MAKI OH, ADIRE
Lagos, Nigeria
Hand-dyed adire, print and sequins, tailored
Maki Oh, founded by Amaka Osakwe in 2010. Amaka took adire out of the wrapper and into the cut garment and became the catalyst for the Adire renaissance we see today. Using cloth dyed by artisans with traditional Adire dyeing skills and combining with the designer’s contemporary design aesthetic, she created a modern nostalgic language.
Reni Folawiyo collection
9. NUPE WEAVING, BIDA TEXTILES
Attributed to Bida, Niger State, Nigeria
Date unknown · Handwoven textiles
Associated with the weaving traditions of the Nupe people, these textiles feature distinctive patterns and woven inscriptions.
Acquired together approximately twenty years ago, the pieces offer a glimpse into the relationship between weaving, personal expression and cultural identity.
Their inscriptions and precise origins remain subjects for further research.
Private collection of Reni Folawiyo
Notice: Trying to get property 'url' of non-object in /home/alaral5/public_html/wp-content/uploads/cache/b94af33cf1b77d55cfe02614e0d9b67752abf0f9.php on line 310
1. AKIN AND KIKI FAMINU, THE TRADITIONAL WEDDING
Igbo, Nigeria; Lagos · Bride’s outfit by Prudential Atelier; groom’s outfit by Ugo Monye
2026 · Beaded bodice and wrapper; agbada, coral beads
In today’s Traditional wedding, dress becomes a powerful expression of identity, heritage and celebration. Elaborate textiles, intricate embellishment, jewellery and ceremonial headwear come together to create an occasion where fashion is both personal expression and cultural spectacle.
Courtesy of Akin and Kiki Faminu
Bride’s outfit: Prudential Atelier · Groom’s outfit: Ugo Monye · Gele: Taiwo’s Touch
1. AKIN AND KIKI FAMINU, THE TRADITIONAL WEDDING
Igbo, Nigeria; Lagos · Bride’s outfit by Prudential Atelier; groom’s outfit by Ugo Monye
2026 · Beaded bodice and wrapper; agbada, coral beads
In today’s Traditional wedding, dress becomes a powerful expression of identity, heritage and celebration. Elaborate textiles, intricate embellishment, jewellery and ceremonial headwear come together to create an occasion where fashion is both personal expression and cultural spectacle.
Courtesy of Akin and Kiki Faminu
Bride’s outfit: Prudential Atelier · Groom’s outfit: Ugo Monye · Gele: Taiwo’s Touch