Introducing the Spring/Summer 2023 Collection by Abiola Olusola
Words by The Folklore Team
Born and raised in Nigeria, designer Abiola Olusola credits the well-dressed family members she was surrounded by with her interest in fashion. She studied fine art and fashion at the Paris outpost of Istituto Marangoni, and returned to Lagos to start her eponymous label in 2017.
Describing her brand as “a contemporary women’s wear brand that revisits vintage Yoruba style and sub-cultures from a minimalist approach… It’s easy, approachable, chic with some unexpected details,” Olusola brings her designs to life with adire fabrics, minimalist silhouettes and traditional craftsmanship. An advocate of Nigerian craft, Olusola produces all her garments locally and makes use of Yoruba textiles by incorporating tie-dye, batik and stamping prints into her designs.
She has shown her collections at Lagos Fashion and Design Week and GTB Fashion Weekend, and received accolades including nominations as designer of the year 2019 by Fashions Finest Africa and an Emerge ALÀRA Fashion finalist.
This year, ahead of October’s Lagos Fashion Week, Abiola Olusola invited The Folklore into her Ikoyi studio to give us a peek at the new spring/summer 2023 collection, which is now available for wholesale on The Folklore Connect. The designer shared with us how she brings her designs to life, from finding inspiration in classic Italian and French cinema, to using bold colors and incorporating layering elements into her aesthetic. She introduces us to the key pieces in the collection, with highlights including the Dabo two-piece set and Ribayi dress, both of which employ feminine shapes and tactile fabrics that allow for plenty of movement. The collection demonstrates the designer’s advocacy for Nigerian craft, by incorporating local textiles and traditional methods with a contemporary approach.
Abiola Olusola SS23 collection
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