What seems like a quiet revolution is unfolding on the sidewalks and in air-conditioned office spaces. Young professionals are showing up to work in pieces made from Aso Oke and Adire, wearing it like a badge of honour. What was once strictly “traditional attire” for weddings and owambes has made a graceful crossover into the everyday, particularly into the once starchy world of corporate dressing.
For a very long time, Aso Oke, the handwoven, textured fabric of the Yorubas, was reserved for significant occasions like weddings, coronations, and festive celebrations. Adire, with its deep indigo patterns, was often worn during cultural ceremonies.
These days, if you walk into certain offices in Victoria Island or Lekki, you’re likely to find someone in a tailored Adire blazer or an Aso Oke tie paired with a white shirt.
Designers have been instrumental in this revival. Names like Kenneth Ize have taken Aso Oke to the global runway, putting it on the backs of stars like Naomi Campbell and Beyoncé. Fashion houses are now using lighter, more breathable weaves of Aso Oke to make everything from two-piece sets to shift dresses you can comfortably wear from a Monday meeting to after-work drinks. Adire has also been reimagined, appearing on corporate blouses, midi skirts, headbands, and men’s shirts.
State governments are catching on. In Oyo State, for example, civil servants are now required to wear traditional attire, including Aso Oke, every Thursday, a policy meant to preserve culture and boost the local textile economy. Events like Ecobank’s “Adire Lagos” exhibition have attracted huge crowds, with hundreds of vendors showcasing how the once-simple tie-dye fabric has evolved into high-fashion pieces fit for any wardrobe.
The digital world has also played its part. Social media is filled with people showing off Adire dresses and Aso Oke bucket hats. Influencers and content creators are styling these pieces in fun ways, blending them with sneakers, blazers, and leather bags. The fabrics are becoming aspirational for Gen Z and millennials who want their outfits to reflect who they are.
And the industry is growing. According to a report by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the country’s fashion industry contributes significantly to the GDP, with traditional textiles like Adire and Aso Oke gaining international attention. Local tailors, weavers, and dye makers are seeing a rise in demand. Even tech startups are getting involved, creating e-commerce platforms that connect local fabric producers to global buyers.
There’s a quote often repeated in fashion circles: “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” And right now, Lagos is speaking loud and clear, stylishly and with culture.
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