In Festac Town, Lagos, Nigeria, a young woman turned her love for fashion into a thriving business. Mrs. Ibijoke Oyindamola Shallangwa, the force behind Afrikayla, built a brand that blends African culture with modern elegance.
A Passion That Started in School
Ibijoke’s love for fashion started back in school. She had a thing for Ankara fabrics and loved designing fitted pants. She enjoyed mixing African prints with modern styles, always sketching and bringing new ideas to life.
Things got even more personal when she became a wife and mother. After having her first daughter, she fell in love with wearing matching outfits with her little girl. That love pushed her to take fashion seriously, and in 2017, she launched Afrikayla.
Running a fashion business in Nigeria wasn’t easy. Power supply issues made production tough and slowed things down. But Ibijoke refused to let that stop her. She stayed focused, kept working hard, and built a name for herself.
Her attention to detail and creativity helped her grow Afrikayla into a recognized fashion brand. Soon, celebrities and influencers started noticing her work. She styled many high-profile clients, including award-winning actress Nancy Isime, proving that Afrikayla had something special.
Her designs stand out because they mix bold African aesthetics with modern elegance. People love the quality, the fit, and the uniqueness of her pieces. She built her brand on consistency, originality, and passion, and that made all the difference.
Even with success, she ran into a common challenge—funding. As her brand grew, so did the need for more materials. She wanted to stock up on high-quality fabrics but needed extra capital to do it.
She first heard about Shecluded when she planned to attend a fashion event abroad. The event got canceled, but she later found out that Shecluded helps finance female entrepreneurs. That sparked an idea. She decided to apply for funding.
After meeting the requirements, she got the funds she needed. That support helped her stock up on materials, expand production, and meet growing customer demand.
With her business in a stronger place, Afrikayla is now ready for bigger things. She’s not just thinking local—she wants to go global.
This year, Afrikayla will hit the runway at a major fashion exhibition, marking a big step into the international fashion scene. She wants her brand to show the world that African fashion is bold, stylish, and here to stay.
What started as a passion in school has now grown into a fashion powerhouse. From dressing up with her daughter to styling celebrities and preparing for global expansion, Ibijoke’s journey proves that hard work and the right support can turn dreams into reality.
Afrikayla isn’t just a brand—it’s a movement. And with Ibijoke leading the way, the best is yet to come.
