There is a popular African saying that goes like ‘A tree cannot grow without its roots‘. For us , that was sprouted by Abby Ikomi—our mother, our matriarch, and the beating heart of Irawo Studio. She grew up in a world where tradition often overshadowed dreams. A world that imagined her confined behind a desk, hindering her from her dream of walking the runway . But some stars refuse to dim. Abby’s love for fashion never wavered. It lived quietly within her, waiting for the right moment to shine.
As a young woman standing at 5’11”, she was born for the limelight. Yet, modelling was out of the question—her stern parents had other ideas. Decades later, after raising four children and building multiple businesses, her love for fashion remained constant. It was more than a passing interest or pastime. It waited silently, a part of her waiting to
bloom.
That moment finally came when neither of her daughters were happy with their graduation attire designed by a local tailor. Determined to fix it, Abby stepped in, reimagining their outfits and weaving tradition into every seam. During this process, she was reminded of what fashion meant to her and the lives it could impact through the sheer joy she brought onto her girls. Inspired, she asked herself: “Why not? With her knack for style rooted deeply in Yoruba culture ,she was ready to step back into the fashion world, this time not as a model but as a designer. A visionary. The creative soul of Irawo Studio.
But no star shines alone. That’s where we—her daughters—came in.
Dola, the fearless marketer, took a page from Abby's book and dared to dream by leaving the comfort of her 9-to-5 to shape Irawo’s voice. She believed in the dream as fiercely as Abby did. Ama, the numbers guru, saw fashion as more than art—it was strategy. She ensured every thread tied back to purpose by providing clarity and structure, which helped the brand stay anchored while fostering creativity. And then there’s Anire. The youngest. The dreamer. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, who brought fresh eyes and youthful energy to every design. Together, we’ve
built more than a brand. We’ve built a story. We understand the power of communicating individuality through clothing.
’Irawo’ means ‘Stars’ in Yoruba. As a brand ,we strive to design pieces that inspire and strongly reflect our identity and joy of being proudly Yoruba. Our clothes bring out the inner star in every woman and reinforce the best part of who we are and hope to be. We design investment pieces for women who are unapologetically blazing their own trail
and chasing their own dreams.
What keeps us going? It’s not just the designs or the accolades. It’s you. The Irawo woman. Bold, unapologetic, and unafraid to shine in her own light. You’re the reason we pour our hearts into every stitch and every story.
This is more than a family business. It’s a legacy wrapped in a vision of empowerment. One rooted in tradition, fuelled by passion, and driven by the desire to bring out every woman's star.
This is our journey. This is our story.
This is Irawo Studio.
