Irish-born Nigerian designer Diekola Arisekola has once again shown that African fashion deserves a seat at the table in global fashion conversations. While her fashion expression was shaped by her background as an Ibadan girl, she infuses traditional and modern aesthetics to bring out a unique blend of Afro-modern fashion statements.
Despite being well read with a degree from the University of Newcastle, where she graduated with First Class honours and a master’s degree in Fashion and Graphic Design from the prestigious Central Saint Martins University in London, completed with distinction, she chose to express herself through fashion after catching the attention of fashion organisers abroad, where she showcased her brand, HOLY ONE, on the runway.
In 2024, Arisekola was named winner of the British Fashion Council and British Library Student Research Competition for her project, which was inspired by the incredible life of Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti. This success earned her the rare opportunity to showcase her designs on the runway of the just-concluded Lagos Fashion Week, where models adorned her beautiful creations on the prestigious catwalk. It is a proud moment for her father, top media mogul, publisher of the Ireland-based newspaper The Street Journal and businessman with hands in many pies of business, Mogaji Bowale Oluwole Arisekola, the Mogaji Ajenigieye of Oje Compound in Ibadan.
While showcasing her collection, Diekola disclosed that coming back to her roots is an important step in developing her fashion business, underscoring the love and reception she received, which has helped shape her brand. She is also a firm believer that globalising the Nigerian fashion brand is a way of putting Nigeria in the spotlight and showcasing what she has is an indication that she is loved giving her an edge to continue scaling up and developing the many designs set to rule the world.
On the runway, she received applause and many fashion enthusiasts across Nigeria have promised to work with her in ensuring a massive collaboration that takes Nigerian fashion to greater heights. She received accolades for her patterns, fittings and rare stitches that blend so well.
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