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 is Lisa Folawiyo. 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.
