Nigerian fashion brand Ethnik is reinventing ancient Yoruba designs.
Ancient designs —
Nigerian fashion brand Ethnik is reinventing ancient Yoruba designs.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
Contemporary creations such as bags and shoes feature locally sourced wool and are made using traditional Yoruba weaving methods.
Contemporary creations —
Contemporary creations such as bags and shoes feature locally sourced wool and are made using traditional Yoruba weaving methods.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
The techniques and fabrics used are inspired by those of the Yoruba people of West Africa, who are now predominately found in Benin and Nigeria.
The Yoruba —
The techniques and fabrics used are inspired by those of the Yoruba people of West Africa, who are now predominately found in Benin and Nigeria.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
Traditional Yoruba clothing is made from colorful handwoven fabrics.<br />
The Yoruba —
Traditional Yoruba clothing is made from colorful handwoven fabrics.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
While everyday clothing in the past, the traditional designs are now reserved for special occasions such as weddings and festivals.
Clothes for festivities —
While everyday clothing in the past, the traditional designs are now reserved for special occasions such as weddings and festivals.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
Ethnik's accessories are made using the method Aso Oke, which is a traditional method of making handwoven wool fabrics.
Aso Oke —
Ethnik's accessories are made using the method Aso Oke, which is a traditional method of making handwoven wool fabrics.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
The start up prides itself in enabling artisans to continue the practice of traditional weaving while incorporating the fabric into modern designs.
Inspired by tradition —
The start up prides itself in enabling artisans to continue the practice of traditional weaving while incorporating the fabric into modern designs.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
Each shoe has an individual look and sell for between $75 and $100 a pair, according to the company.
Unique pattern —
Each shoe has an individual look and sell for between $75 and $100 a pair, according to the company.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
Founder and designer Tunde Owolabi, who set up the company in 2015, hopes his creations will help people connect with the Yoruba's past.
Connecting with history —
Founder and designer Tunde Owolabi, who set up the company in 2015, hopes his creations will help people connect with the Yoruba's past.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
The name Ethnik is a play on the word ethnic, which refers to tribal instincts.
Tribal instincts —
The name Ethnik is a play on the word ethnic, which refers to tribal instincts.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
Owolabi, also a photographer, got the idea for the brand while photographing events celebrating this culture.<br />"I'm Yoruba, so I needed to go back to my roots," he says.<br />
Back to my roots —
Owolabi, also a photographer, got the idea for the brand while photographing events celebrating this culture.
"I'm Yoruba, so I needed to go back to my roots," he says.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
The wool is locally sourced and dyed using natural ingredients such as tree bark.
Locally produced —
The wool is locally sourced and dyed using natural ingredients such as tree bark.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
The bags, shoes and accessories in Ethnik's collections are made in Lagos by local craftsmen.
Made in Lagos —
The bags, shoes and accessories in Ethnik's collections are made in Lagos by local craftsmen.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
With an initial capital of $84 dollars, the company has grown from having 1 cobbler to employing nine staff. This year it made an annual revenue of $25,000.
Growth in the first year —
With an initial capital of $84 dollars, the company has grown from having 1 cobbler to employing nine staff. This year it made an annual revenue of $25,000.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
Today, the Yoruba people make up 12% of the population in Benin and 21% in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country.
The Yoruba —
Today, the Yoruba people make up 12% of the population in Benin and 21% in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
Yoruba is also the name of the group of languages spoken by them.
A language —
Yoruba is also the name of the group of languages spoken by them.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik
Founder Tunde Owolabi, pictured center, hopes to put his creations on the international runways in 2017.
Global aspirations —
Founder Tunde Owolabi, pictured center, hopes to put his creations on the international runways in 2017.
Courtesy Tunde Owolabi Studios for Ethnik