HERitage Conversations: Entrepreneurship, Legacy, and Redefining Beauty On Our Own Terms
HERitage Conversations: Entrepreneurship, Legacy, and Redefining Beauty on Our Own Terms
We brought together a strong lineup of women-led brands for our first HERitage event, to close out women’s history month, which was a celebration of womanhood, purpose-driven fashion, and the future of creative entrepreneurship, on a warm and soul-stirring evening at our studio. Inspiring founders shared their stories of resiliency, reinvention, and creating companies that directly address the needs of women today during our panel discussion, which was facilitated by our very own co-founder, Dola.
What tied them all? a common dedication to ensuring that women feel valued, safe, and seen in all we do, from the communities we create to the products we wear. For those who were unable to attend, we are sharing the most important moments from the candid, raw, and insightful conversation.
On Beauty Without Compromise – Osiremiza Oyofo, Founder of Hair Envy HQ
“I grew up hearing that beauty is pain — but I never agreed with that. Why should beauty come at the cost of our health?”
For Osiremiza Oyofo, the founder of Hair Envy HQ, her journey started from personal frustration. Late to classes and lost in tangled extensions, her hair story was filled with discomfort and disappointment. But in 2017, she discovered a product that changed everything. After testing it rigorously through her self-developed 7-star criteria, she realized: this wasn’t just a solution for her ,it could empower other Black women too.
Hair Envy isn’t just about good hair days,It's about giving Black women a place where they may embrace beauty without worrying about long-term health effects. By emphasizing wellness-first solutions for a demographic that is all too frequently expected to "just manage," Osiremiza is redefining the norms of the beauty business. Her idea is in line with Irawo's own dedication to empowering people through intentional customer -centric offerings.
On Crafting Clothing for Every Chapter – Omotoke Ogunwomoju, Founder of Seamstress Lagos
“We started by making workwear, but really we were making clothes that help women show up — in every season of life.”
The story of Seamstress Lagos is one of growth and quiet reinvention. From learning to sew at just 13, to launching a failed ready-to-wear line in 2018, to a powerful relaunch post-pandemic , the brand’s journey mirrors that of many women: a bold return to purpose after pause.
Offering everything from casual everyday fits to occasion attire, Seamstress Lagos is more than just a clothing store; it's a community of women who want to feel understood and look well. The brand's steadfast emphasis on Nigerian body shapes and style adaptability reflects Irawo's conviction that fashion should embrace variety and empower women to be confident in their own skin.
On Legacy, Elegance, and Storytelling – Adedoyin Somuyiwa,The Heart Behind Raenna
“Every day felt like an event in my grandmother’s life. That exposure made me want to create a brand that made people feel that special — effortlessly.”
Raenna; the Lagos- based jewelry brand, is deeply personal for its founder.Her journey is characterised by both purpose and intuition, as she went from growing up surrounded by stylish, fashion-forward women to starting a legacy company based on storytelling with her north star being the feeling her pieces invoke.
Just like Raenna , Irawo crafts timeless pieces representative of the inner star each woman holds to make them shine their brightest
On Training Artisans, Honoring Pan-African Craft - Dorcas Kadiri of Afrique KOD
“It’s not just about hiring skilled hands…it’s about building shared vision.”
Afrique KOD's creator, Dorcas Kadiri, is a strong supporter of community-led development and broadening one's horizon.Including craftspeople in the fold, in her opinion, entails mentoring as much as bringing them on. She guarantees that individuals who join the brand comprehend not only the methods but also the narratives underlying each design by providing them with training. Her bags, which are made to last and have meaning, seamlessly combine contemporary silhouettes with pan-African heritage.
Similar to Irawo, Afrique KOD demonstrates that slow fashion based on empowerment, cultural depth, and intention is not only feasible, but also the way of the future.
On Making Bags That Carry Generations – Woyin Taylor
‘My grandmother would fix anything. That spirit of repair, of preserving what matters — that’s what shaped me’
The foundation of Woyin Taylor is tradition, practicality, and purpose. Following initial difficulties in 2017, entrepreneur Bukola Adepeju focused on craftsmanship and upskilling to produce classic and incredibly personal leather items. The company upholds a tradition of toughness, attention to detail, and understated strength with every bag, reflecting Irawo's conviction that fashion should respect our past and future.
The Link That Binds Us All
The panel's combined vision; Black women building for Black women was just as remarkable as the individual experiences. Brands with roots in self-love, heritage, and purpose are changing sectors that have long disregarded us. Each founder reminded us that boldness doesn't mean loud; rather, it means intentional, whether it is through inclusive fashion, wellness-first beauty, or emotionally charged design.