The BOF 500 list is an annually updated list
of people shaping the global fashion industry.
the list is curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion
based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
The business of fashion (B.O.F) media
is recognized Globally for it’s authoritative
and analytical view of the multi-trillion dollar fashion industry
($2.5 trillion to be exact).
founded by the current CEO and Editor in Cheif, Imran Amed
the mission of the BOF is to build fashion’s global membership community
to open, inform and connect the industry.
in this piece we take a look at all the Nigerians
that have made it into this prestigious list over the years.
OMOYEMI AKERELE
Currently the oldest Nigerian member of the BOF 500
Omoyemi joined the BOF community in 2013.
the former lawyer turned fashion consultant
is the founder and CEO of Lagos fashion week
style house files and special advisor
to the Nigerian Export promotion council (NEPC).
she has held several advisory positions
for big names like MOMA, Victoria & Albert museum UN
and the British Fashion Council.
she uses her platform to give creative direction to Nigerian brands
and raise their profile internationally.
aside being part of the community
she officially made the list 6 times in a row from 2017-2022.
AYO AND TAYO AMUSAN
In second place are the Nigerian retail giants
Ayo and Tayo Amusan have been members of the BOF community since 2014.
the power couple are at the forefront of luxury retail
with their property firm, Persianas Investment Limited.
the company responsible for establishing the palms mall
in 5 different states in Nigeria.
and building formidable partnerships with brands like puma and Lacoste over the years.
they didn’t stop there, the couple went on to acquire
Shoprite Nigeria retail franchise in June 2021
and have opened several stores nation wide.
RENI FOLAWIYO
Reni is the joint third oldest member of the BOF 500 community.
Also a lawyer turned fashion entrepreneur
Reni is the founder of the Alara store
in Victoria Island Lagos.
West Africa’s first fashion luxury and lifestyle concept store
Alara has hosted a number of celebrated fashion events over the years
an example is our homecoming that took place earlier this year.
renowned British/ Ghanian architect David Adjaye
is responsible for the unique design of the store.
Reni became a member of the BOF community in 2015.
LISA FOLAWIYO
the other Joint third oldest Nigerian member of the BOF 500
she joined the BOF community in 2015.
the fashion designer started her label, jewel by Lisa in 2005.
with an initial investment of just N20,000
which she used to buy fabric and make a couple of pieces for her mother.
Lisa currently runs a namesake brand, Lisa Folawiyo studio
with show rooms in Nigeria and New York.
she boasts a good number of achievements, namely
featuring in vogue Italia, winning the 2012 Africa Fashion Award
and being one of the 8 emerging talents by WWD (women’s wear daily in 2014)
AMAKA OSAKWE
Amaka Osakwe is the founder of African
ready-to-wear fashion label, Maki oh.
She is a Graduate of fashion studies
from the university of Art Bournemouth
and is one of Nigeria’s biggest fashion stories.
Amaka joined the BOF community in 2016
her brand is known for it’s signature use of Adire,
a Yoruba traditional tye-dye fabric).
and her unique combination of western silhouettes
with native motifs.
Amaka won the Arise designer of the year award in 2010
and her work has been showcased
at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology
the Vitra Design Museum, and the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.
a host of big name personalities have worn Maki oh over the years
namely the likes of Beyonce, Rihanna, Michelle Obama
kerry washington, lady gaga, isa rae and so on.
in 2012, she showcased her designs at New York fashion week.
KENNETH IZE
Next up we have Kenneth Ize.
the designer is already a household name in
the Nigerian luxury/ high end fashion space.
the 2018 LVMH prize finalist
joined the BOF 500 community in 2019.
the designer is a graduate of fashion and design
from the University of Applied Arts Vienna.
his eponymous label showcases frequently at paris fashion week
with his collections featured on vogue runway.
kenneth Ize is known for his display of technicolour suiting
and use of traditional Aso-Oke fabrics.
BETTY IRABOR
columnist, philanthropist, writer, publisher and all round media mogul
betty Irabor is the founder and editor-in-chief of Genevieve magazine.
the magazine is described as Nigeria’s leading
Inspirational, fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazine
with ten issues published each year.
the Association of Professional Women Bankers honored Irabor
as The Most Accomplished Female Publisher in Nigeria 2011.
betty joined the BOF 500 community in 2019.
ADEBAYO OKE LAWAL
last but not least, the orange nerd himself
Adebayo Oke Lawal aka the Orange nerd
is the founder and creative director of the acclaimed orange culture clothing line.
The brand is known to explore unusual fabrications
and experiment with them on every and any gender.
his gender bending silhouettes have constantly challenged traditional sterotypes
while gaining international recognition.
orange culture was part of the 2015 LVMH prize finalists
and was also nominated for the Woolmark Prize
in the same year.
Adeboye lawal made the BOF 500 list in 2022.
