One of the best ways to express pride in your identity and culture is through clothing. Nigerian streetwear brands have grown into a thriving subculture that is becoming internationally recognized and overcoming cultural barriers.
In recent years, streetwear has experienced remarkable growth, establishing itself as a highly profitable sector within the fashion industry. With the global streetwear market estimated to be valued at $185 billion in 2019, this thriving industry is set to witness substantial growth in the coming years. And Nigeria’s streetwear landscape is not left out, as it is undergoing a transformative shift propelled by a wave of innovative homegrown brands.
The Nigerian streetwear scene has transformed remarkably, showcasing its ability to blend local influences with global trends. With the rise of homegrown brands, sustainable initiatives, and collaborations with international fashion houses, Nigerian streetwear firmly establishes itself as a force to be reckoned with.
Within this vibrant scene, we spotlight the 9 hottest Nigerian streetwear brands you should know. Keep reading!
Key Points
- Streetwear brands are fashion labels that draw inspiration from urban culture, often blending elements from hip-hop, skateboarding, and street art.
- Streetwear has seen significant growth globally, with the market valued at $185 billion in 2019, and it continues to expand. Nigerian streetwear is part of this momentum, driven by homegrown brands and innovative designers.
- Y2K fashion, known for its bold colors, shiny fabrics, and logo-centric designs, is returning, especially among Gen Z.
What Are Streetwear Brands?
Streetwear brands are fashion labels that draw inspiration from urban culture, often blending elements from hip-hop, skateboarding, and street art. They typically focus on casual, comfortable clothing like graphic T-shirts, hoodies, sneakers, and caps and often feature bold logos, striking designs, and limited-edition releases.
Streetwear brands are known for their close connection to youth culture, street style, and sometimes counterculture movements. Some popular streetwear brands include Supreme, Off-White, Stüssy, and A Bathing Ape (BAPE). These brands often cultivate exclusivity and a sense of community among their customers.
Now that you know what streetwear brands are, let’s explore the 9 hottest Nigerian streetwear brands you should know.
9 Hottest Nigerian Streetwear Brands You Should Know
#1. Vivendii
Jimmy Ayeni, Ola Badiru, and Anthony Oye established the Nigerian fashion brand VIVENDII. Their journey began as a collective of bloggers in 2011, utilizing platforms like Tumblr to express their unique style. As their love for fashion flourished, they ventured into styling and crafting custom shirts while managing their academic pursuits. This fusion of creativity and dedication eventually led them to form Vivendii, a brand deeply rooted in their Nigerian heritage.
Their unique talents caught the attention of esteemed figures in the fashion industry, including late Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani and designer Roberto Cavalli. Encouraged by this recognition, they decided to establish their brand in Lagos. VIVENDII was born as a brand that pays homage to its Nigerian roots, aiming to bridge the gap between streetwear and high fashion. The name Vivendii, derived from ‘Modus vivendii,’ meaning ‘our way of living’ in Latin, reflects their distinctive approach to blending style and lifestyle.
#2. Meji Meji
Before Tolu Oye started her streetwear brand Meji Meji, she created face mask bucket hat combos for people in her college. She had only decided to outlive her fears and learn several ways to be creative when the idea of Meji Meji came to her. In the Yoruba language, “Meji” means “double,” and the name Oye, enthusiastic about her culture, got her vision from a Yoruba dictionary to align it with her roots. And on that perception, Meji Meji was built to help people explore their roots and find pride in their culture.
However, far from being a cultural revolutionary, the brand Meji Meji is also keen on feminine expression through style. They simply want women to appreciate their uniqueness and celebrate their beautiful essence. “We pride ourselves on quality and functionality, and we strive to style women who appreciate vibrant colour palettes and bold cultural styles,” says Oye. “While there has been a more galvanized effort to see more representation of Black women in media, those who don’t align with the European standard of beauty often face exclusion. So we created Meji Meji Mama, our brand mascot, to symbolize women’s empowerment.”
Being an emerging designer is Tolu Oye’s biggest challenge, but she doesn’t let that define her and what she hopes for Meji Meji. She’s most grateful to her high school fashion teacher, Mr. Gary Osborone, and designers like Sharmadeam Reid and Priya Ahluwalia, who keep inspiring her artistic journey. “I can’t mention the streetwear culture industry and not talk about the women pioneering the industry, Grace Ladoja, owner of Metallic and Homecoming, and Ireti D, owner of Street Souk and WAF and cream. Virgil Abloh notices the talent coming out of Nigeria. I think the streetwear industry in Nigeria is influencing the mainstream,” she says.
#3. Severe Nature
Severe Nature, a Nigerian-Canadian brand founded in 2012 by Tobi Adeleye, Christopher Afolabi, and the late Michael Atobalele (Uzii), represents a bold expression of youthful freedom in Nigerian streetwear. Recognizing the absence of local options in the fashion industry, the founders sought to address this gap by establishing a Nigerian brand in 2016.
While maintaining a contemporary essence, the brand fearlessly explores redefined Y2K aesthetics, including cropped tops and denim attire. By embracing these fashion elements, Severe Nature bridges the gap between different age groups, fostering a sense of inclusivity and connection through its innovative designs.
#4. N.A.C.K
The Nigerian Articulate Culture Kullection isn’t just for Nigerians; the brand basks on an Afropolitan niche that stretches out to people born and bred in Africa and Africans in the diaspora. Founded in 2006 by Tolulope Akinpeloye, N.A.C.K. was created to solve a complex issue of identity. Akinpeloye felt that people talking about their cultural background didn’t encourage unity, so with fashion, he decided to create a tribe of people with a unified identity. “I wanted to create a space where people could say ‘I’m African,’ and that would be all that mattered,” Akinpeloye tells Teen Vogue.
N.A.C.K. functions with a Nigerian sensibility. The brand’s style exudes fluidity with a crisscross of modern and traditional. In almost 16 years of existence, the brand has amassed a huge success, expanding its audience to not just young people but to kids and middle-aged folks, having stores in different parts of the country, and finding solutions to the issues they set out to solve, but the brand’s biggest issue is the problem of location. “Running a business in Nigeria is hard,” says Akinpeloye. “I think I would call it Nigerialysis; it’s a disease, and it affects every business owner: from government policies to insecurities [and] access to funds, all these things have been a challenge directly or indirectly to us too.”
Tolulope Akinpeloye still believes a future has always existed in the brand’s vision, and that’s “to be the most preferred Afropolitan brand in Africa.”
#5. David Blackmoore
DB (David Blackmoore) is a Nigerian urban streetwear fashion brand founded in 2015 by Asaju Samuel and Asiafa Oghenefego. Renowned for its ability to set unique trends, DB also plays a key role in shaping major streetwear fashion trends. The brand’s distinctive features include back print t-shirts, vibrant colours, oversized tops, and signature prints. Notable pieces from DB’s collection include the “mood like Fela” t-shirts and the flower-detailed sleeve “harvest” shirts. With its references to Nigeria’s formation and its commitment to streetwear fashion, DB provides a convenient pathway to mastering the style and essence of streetwear culture.
#6. Street Souk
My first impression of Street Souk was that it was the quintessential peak of the Nigerian streetwear industry. That’s why it’s regarded as a convention. The brand was founded in 2018 by Iretidayo Zacchaeus, whose love for the streetwear culture in Nigeria fueled her hopes for the industry’s future potential. “Street Souk is a celebration of African streetwear. I made it my mission to provide a platform for upcoming and established streetwear brands in my city, bringing them closer to their target audience and allowing brands to connect in a physical space,” says Zaccheaus.
“Throughout my life, I’ve been inspired by a lot of people, from Grace Ladoja to Virgil Abloh to my brother Teezee and my mom Yewande Zaccheaus, who had already started a fashion shop but was catering to an older demographic. She essentially gave me the blueprint, and I chopped and screwed it to fit my audience. I took a lot of inspiration from Complex Con and Sole DXB, as the magnitude and importance of these events show me my dream is valid,” Zaccheaus explains.
But in a male-dominated industry, it can come off as rough for a young woman leading a brand prominent for being a streetwear convention; this initially was Zacchaeus’ biggest challenge because she had to work with people who have a huge age gap between her. “Nigeria is a country with an ageist mindset, and for me, having to navigate the space where I was able to tell people what to do without them feeling some type of way because I’m younger was initially tough,” she tells Teen Vogue. Though this is behind her now, she’s most impressed by the growth of the brand just within the past 4 years.
#7. Cult
Founded in 2018, Cult is a streetwear brand that strongly emphasises community. With its iconic Calabasas font style logo, the brand has garnered attention for its collection of high-quality tee shirts, trucker hats, and bucket hats. The brand has also ventured into creating merchandise for renowned personalities like Davido and Kiddominant, showcasing its ability to collaborate and expand its reach. Committed to delivering excellence, the brand strives to combine the talents of top graphic designers with the finest materials to produce exceptional and sought-after products.
#8. Ashluxe
Ashluxe, founded by celebrity designer Yinka Ash, redefines luxury streetwear with its avant-garde approach. The brand has quickly gained recognition as an innovative and influential force in the Nigerian fashion industry and the diaspora.
The brand’s grand vision revolves around the seamless fusion of exceptional craftsmanship, youthful aesthetics, and timeless designs. From accessories to ready-to-wear garments and seasonal collections, Ashluxe continues to push boundaries and redefine the concept of luxury streetwear.
#9. Wafflesncream (Waf.)
Founded in 2012 by Jomi Marcus-Bello, Nigerian skate label WafflesnCream has become a notable presence within the burgeoning skate subculture in West Africa. Rooted in deep admiration for this subculture, the brand incorporates skateboards, bolts, patterned wheels, vibrant checkered bucket hats, t-shirts, uncle shirts, and traditional Ankara print baggy trousers. WafflesnCream’s designs skillfully merge contemporary aesthetics with Nigerian historical and cultural elements, resulting in a unique and successful fusion that captures the spirit of modern-day fashion while honouring the brand’s heritage.
What Is Y2K Streetwear?
Y2K streetwear is a fashion style that originated in the late 1990s and lasted through the mid-2000s. It’s known for its bold, vibrant colours, iconic accessories, and futuristic, space-age vibe. Some key elements of Y2K fashion include:
- Shiny fabrics: Vinyl, metallic, and shiny materials were popular for Y2K outfits.
- Bold colours: Bright pinks, electric blues, vivid oranges, and neon greens were popular.
- Logo-centric designs: Big brands or designer logos were seen as a status symbol.
- Accessories: Furry bucket hats, trucker caps, bowling bags, and butterfly clips were popular accessories.
- Silhouettes: Low-rise, boot-cut, and pedal pushers (capri pants) were popular silhouettes.
- Other items: Scarf tops, velour tracksuits, tube tops, and tiny sunglasses were also popular.
In addition, Y2K fashion is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, especially among Gen Z. Some celebrities, including Bella Hadid, Dua Lipa, and Rihanna, have been seen wearing Y2K-inspired outfits.
Affordable Streetwear Brands
With streetwear holding such a powerful position with younger buyers, the demand for streetwear brands is rising. Few other fashion styles have managed to evolve and stay current while still honouring the origins and iterations that came before them. This section is for the die-hards of the streetwear style and newcomers looking for affordable streetwear brands without breaking the bank.
Here are the most affordable streetwear brands you can buy right now.
#1. Stussy
Launched in California, this brand dominates the streetwear scene. It all started in the eighties as a small graphic T-shirt brand, and since then, it has offered worldwide shipping. At this point, everyone knows the history of this seminal Californian brand, built around the local surf and skate culture.
But if you don’t know, Stussy’s reputation evolved from a chilled-out surfer store into a famous urban brand of the ’90s. Moreover, what’s interesting is that despite the sales growing, the label hasn’t lost sight of its origins.
The brand is famous for streetwear-styled tees, bottoms, jackets, hoodies, hats, and shorts at low prices. You can also find affordable collabs with high-end designers and light streetwear pieces.
#2. Kith
Once a footwear brand, Kith is now a New York-based streetwear brand. True to its origins, Kith is known mainly for its streetwear sneaker collections. However, you’ll love the brand’s apparel lines, which are quite popular with the streetwear community looking for value for money.
I love the brands’ collaborations with Coca-Cola, New Balance, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, and Disney. These collaborations made Kith a symbol among streetwear-style aficionados.
As a recap, with logo-heavy patterns and urban, loose, oversized cuts, Kith is the solution to affordable streetwear sneakers.
#3. Hype
What started as a T-shirt competition in 2011 now joins the iconic list of cheap streetwear brands with great success. That’s because the brand has become a fully-fledged streetwear name centred around all-over logo graphics.
The vivid and intense images are signatures, whether they describe floral, geometric, or tie-dye designs. As the T-shirt generally undergoes a revolution, or at least a reworking, Hype manages to avoid the plain, solid-colour trap.
All these aspects result in flashiness and statement worth without losing sight of comfort and price friendliness.
#4. Obey
There’s no shortage of trendy streetwear pieces showcasing Obey’s loud logo. Obey is a streetwear clothing brand started by Shepard Fairey and packed with politically themed illustrations.
Thanks to the ubiquitous ‘Zumiez’ carrying the label at reasonable prices, the company earned a “mal” streetwear reputation, at least in the US. This streetwear sometimes engages in political and social commentary—see the rise of parody tees for further evidence.
How to Start a Streetwear Brand Business in Nigeria
Are you passionate about fashion and have always dreamed of starting your own streetwear brand business in Nigeria? Look no further! I’ll guide you through turning your passion into a profitable venture in this comprehensive checklist guide below. Check it out!
How to Start a Streetwear Brand Business in Nigeria Checklist
What Is the Difference Between Lifestyle, Streetwear, and Fashion Brands?
Bottom Line
In conclusion, Nigerian streetwear brands are more than just fashion—a cultural movement redefining style across Africa and beyond. These nine brands push boundaries, blend tradition with modernity, and make bold statements about identity and creativity. As they continue to gain global recognition, they shape trends and represent the spirit of a generation unafraid to stand out.
Keep an eye on these trailblazers—they shape Nigerian streetwear and influence the global fashion scene.
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