Lanre Da Silva Ajayi

I celebrate an outstanding woman today. A woman who has inspired so many. Lanre Da Silava Ajayi is a fashion designer considered to be one of Nigeria’s leading couturiers.

Lanre Da Silva moved to the United Kingdom to continue her studies after her secondary school education in Nigeria. For her undergraduate degree, she majored in business administration at Coventry University. She obtained a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Leicester. Lanre Da Silva’s collections often incorporate metallic fabrics, lace and African patterns, while referencing the 1940s or 1800s. Launched in 2005, her eponymous label includes couture, ready-to-wear, jewellery and hairpieces.

In 2011, Lanre Da Silva presented her collection at New York Fashion Week, where it was described as combining “…the archetypal bright, warm colours of her homeland with refined ladylike silhouettes inspired by Italian architecture”. Seen as an African luxury brand, her clothing line has been sold at Dolce &Gabbana’s “Concept Spiga 2” store in Milan. In 2012, she was one of the two designers asked to join the United Nations “Fashion Development Project” which helps supports her continent’s luxury industry.

Lanre Da Silva’s clothes have been described as ground-breaking in their use of traditional African prints. She is recognised for re-interpreting and modernizing traditional motifs, making them an important part of her designs. In 2017, Lanre Da Silva was asked to create outfits for the 2017 look book of Vlisco, an African fabrics and textiles manufacturer. The Africa Fashion Guide recognizes her as having “…created a name for herself in high fashion in Nigeria. Lanre Da Silva has received numerous awards.

“The empowered woman is powerful beyond measure and beautiful beyond description”- Steve Maraboli

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Have a lovely weekend guys