Exclusive: British-Nigerian fashion designer Elizabeth-Yemi Akingbade reveals how she reinvented African designs in the diaspora

One of the creative minds Nigeria can boast of in the diaspora is London-based fashion designer Elizabeth-Yemi Akingbade known popularly by her brand name, Yemzi, who though has Nigerian parents, also has English foster parents in the coastal town of Bournemouth as a baby.

In choosing a career for herself, Yemzi attended the prestigious University of The Arts London after which she launched her brand of ready-to-wear collection.

Speaking to Legit.ng on her drive in the fashion industry, Yemzi said:

“I am a graduate from the prestigious University of The Arts London. I launched Yemzi with a small range of printed organic tops in 2014. Yemzi’s first ready-to-wear collection, presented in 2015, set the premise for a African inspired, print-led, contemporary aesthetic.”

Speaking further on what influences her designs, Yemzi said: “Tired of seeing Dutch wax enthusiasts limited by the same designs, I digitally prints exclusive ethically conscious luxury fabrics inspired by West Africa and the diaspora.

Influenced by a British upbringing with a working-class white foster family in the English seaside, I dreamily reinterpret and re-contextualize my rich Nigerian culture for luxury womenswear.”

Yemeni’s customer base is large and extends beyond London as many of Nigerian artists get clothed by her. Artists like Tiwa Savage in her music video Sugarcane, Chef Chioma also wore Yemzi’s design in Davido’s video of Assurance, Patoranking among other top Nigerian artists. Yemzi has also styled many magazine cover girls with her exclusive designs.

She spoke on her client-base:

“I have customers across the world and hope to evolve Yemzi into a lifestyle brand from childrenswear to home.”