Nigeria’s Omosalewa Ogunjimi named RLSD Africa 2026 Most Commendable Designer
Nigerian designer Omosalewa Ogunjimi has been named the Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD) Africa 2026 Most Commendable Designer, emerging at the top of a highly competitive pan-African field with EXUVIA, a striking exploration of leather, structure and transformation. Inspired by the human spine, ribcage and the natural process of moulting, EXUVIA explores ideas of resilience, […] The post…
Nigerian fashion designer Omosalewa Ogunjimi has been selected as the RLSD Africa 2026 Most Commendable Designer. This recognition comes from a fierce competition among emerging designers across Africa, with Ogunjimi emerging victorious through her striking design, EXUVIA. Inspired by the human spine, ribcage, and the process of shedding, EXUVIA explores themes of resilience, protection, and renewal through a unique approach to leather usage.
Instead of using leather merely as decoration, Ogunjimi incorporates it as part of the garment's architecture, employing modular construction that allows for transformation and multiple expressions.
The RLSD Africa competition, now in its fourth year in Africa and sixth globally, challenges designers and creatives to rethink the role of leather in design. This year, 15 finalists were chosen from more than 12 African countries, representing the growing pool of African talent in the fashion industry. Ogunjimi's work was singled out for its individuality, conceptualization, relevance, sustainability, and commercial potential.
Judge Preston Viswamo praised her design as "spectacular" and commended her creativity and prototyping abilities.
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