Fashion is my calling, not a business – Lisa Folawiyo

Fashion designer and the Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director of Lisa Folawiyo Studio, Lisa Folawiyo, tells TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about walking away from a career in law to build a fashion empire, and other issues

Growing up in Lagos, what memories stand out the most for you from your childhood?

When I think back to my early years, I remember growing up on Victoria Island. My father worked at the Federal Palace Hotel, and we lived in the hotel’s residential quarters.

It was a wonderful environment filled with families who also worked at the hotel. This was in the early to mid-1980s, and many of them had young children. Some of my fondest childhood memories were formed during those years.

Living in that environment was quite special. We ate food from the hotel, had access to its facilities, and I had so many friends because there were children everywhere. I also attended Adrao International School on Victoria Island, which was close to the hotel. I spent all my nursery school years there, and I still have vivid memories of that period.

Federal Palace had open spaces and fields where we played, and some of those memories have even inspired one or two of my collections.

A few years later, we moved to Ikoyi after our house in the Federal Palace residential area was destroyed by fire. Before relocating, we lived in one of the hotel’s suites for about a year.

Moving to Ikoyi was wonderful too. We rode our bicycles on the streets, went on long walks, and spent most of our time outdoors.

It was a very different time from today. There was far less concern about security, and there was a strong sense of safety and community that perhaps we don’t see as much anymore, although the world has changed.

When I look back, what I cherish the most is growing up surrounded by other children, immersed in play and discovery. We had freedom. That’s the word I would use; freedom, community and play.

You studied Law at the University of Lagos and were on a very different path. Was there a moment when you realised that the life everyone expected of you was no longer the life you wanted?

Certainly. It only took actually practising law after I qualified for me to realise it wasn’t for me. After about a year in practice, I came to the firm conclusion that I wasn’t finding any fulfilment in it. It simply didn’t align with my hopes and aspirations at that stage of my life.

That said, I’m grateful that I studied Law and pursued that path because I still draw on many of the things I learnt during that period. However, in terms of my creativity and what I would describe as my artistic nature, there was a clear misalignment.

I recognised that quite quickly and was able to make the decision to pursue a path that felt more authentic to who I was. It allowed me to express myself fully in a way that came naturally.

How did your family react when you decided to leave the predictability of law for fashion, especially at a time when fashion wasn’t as prestigious as it is today?

I thank God for my parents because they believed in whatever I chose to do. There wasn’t much questioning or any real attempt to convince me otherwise.

I think they were confident in the way they had raised me. I worked as a lawyer for a year with a great deal of focus and discipline, and I believe they knew that whatever I eventually chose to do, I would approach it with that same hardworking and tenacious spirit.

For them, the important thing was that I committed myself to something and saw it through. It didn’t necessarily have to be fashion.

There may have been a little disappointment because they genuinely believed I was meant to be a lawyer. But if you asked them today, they would probably say, “Actually, you were meant to be a fashion designer.”

In previous interviews, you mentioned that you started your business from home with about N25,000. At the time, did you have any idea that you were building what would eventually become a global brand?

I did start the business from home, and the first capital I invested in what has become the brand today was N25,000. That was the amount I used to buy the first few pieces of ankara fabrics that set everything in motion.

Those first pieces were created by me and a dear friend. We had discussed the idea together, and she was happy to work with me during those early days.

When I decided to venture into fashion, I couldn’t possibly have known what the future held or that we would become the brand we are today. But, I did have a very clear goal from the beginning.

I wanted to create a brand that would fill what I believed was a gap in Nigeria’s fashion industry. I felt there was room for cool, contemporary womenswear with an artisanal quality; pieces crafted by hand using fabrics and materials readily available in our local markets. That was always the vision.

Did you have any idea then that you were building what would become a global brand?

I believe that if you’re creating beautiful clothes, people everywhere who love fashion will appreciate them.

From the outset, I knew I was venturing into something that had the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the Nigerian fashion industry.

So, while I couldn’t foresee exactly where we would be today, I definitely had goals and a vision. With every step, I have continued to pursue that vision, and I’m still pursuing it.

You’ve been a wife, a mother and an entrepreneur all at once. Were there seasons when one role demanded more of you than the others?

A hundred per cent, and that still happens today.

I am grateful for the incredible team I work with; people I trust, people I can delegate responsibility to, and people who understand the personality and identity of the brand. Even when I’m not physically present, they are able to keep things moving.

I am also thankful for technology. There have been periods when my attention was needed elsewhere, particularly by my children. I have been doing this for about 20 years, and during that time, I’ve watched them grow while supporting them through different stages of their educational journeys.

Technology has allowed me to work from anywhere, and the business has continued to thrive.

What lessons do you hope your children have learnt from your journey?

I hope my daughter and son have come to understand the importance of pursuing goals with intention.

I have always tried to teach them that life is about having a vision and doing what it takes to bring that vision to life. Challenges will always arise, but once you set your heart and mind on where you’re going and remain committed to the journey, you can achieve what you set out to do.

I hope that, after seeing me do this for so many years—and by God’s grace, I’m still going—they recognise the value of consistency, perseverance and hard work.

I also tell them that goals can evolve. You can set short-term goals, then move the goalpost a little further. It doesn’t always have to be one distant objective. You reach one milestone, then work towards the next. You keep moving forward, and eventually, you get where you’re meant to be.

What has been one of the most challenging periods of your professional journey, and what did it teach you about yourself?

From the beginning, I was determined not only to build my brand but also to contribute to making fashion from Nigeria and Africa more visible, more global and more accessible.

There is so much beauty and talent in this part of the world that, for many years, was overlooked. I wanted people to see it differently and appreciate it in a new way. My mission wasn’t only to open the minds of consumers in Nigeria but also those around the world.

One of the greatest challenges came when we began pursuing that international crossover. It had always been part of the vision, but it wasn’t nearly as easy or seamless as I had imagined.

That experience taught me that operating a luxury fashion brand from Africa comes with unique realities. It helped me recognise both our strengths and limitations.

Breaking into the international fashion market also meant navigating expectations and demands that weren’t always aligned with our way of working. More often than not, the terms were dictated by others, and learning to navigate that space was incredibly challenging. We did it, but it certainly wasn’t easy.

At the same time, those experiences empowered me in a completely new way. I realised that if certain expectations didn’t align with how we worked, I didn’t have to accept them simply to gain entry into those spaces.

Fashion is rooted in creativity. If I’m going to create freely, beautifully and expertly, then I have to do it in a way that works for us and reflects who we are. That understanding gave me the confidence to define our identity on the global stage, on our own terms.

When you look at Nigerian fashion today, with its growing global recognition and a new generation of designers, what worries you, and what gives you hope?

What gives me hope, first and foremost, is the extraordinary talent that exists.

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One of the most encouraging changes I have witnessed is that fashion design is now increasingly recognised as a serious and worthwhile profession.

Personally, I believe it has always deserved that recognition. It takes tremendous courage and talent to express yourself creatively in this way. Putting your ideas out into the world as a designer requires vulnerability, discipline and vision. True design is about creating something new and offering people experiences, perspectives and pieces they may never have encountered before.

I am also encouraged because the industry is now being taken more seriously. People recognise not only that fashion is respectable, but also that it can be profitable and economically significant.

I am especially excited by the younger generation of designers. The creativity emerging from Nigeria and Africa as a whole is extraordinary.

It is also wonderful to see a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship and artisanal work, alongside a celebration of our heritage. Designers are embracing our fabrics, traditional techniques and cultural identity, expressing them through contemporary fashion.

As for my concerns, I wouldn’t necessarily say I worry. Rather, I hope the industry continues to be taken seriously. I hope those entering fashion do so with the right intentions; with a genuine desire to create, contribute and express something meaningful through their work.

Who are you when the cameras are gone and the world isn’t watching?

I think there are many different facets to who I am. Yes, I am a designer, and that’s why I’m doing this interview. But I’m also a woman who is deeply grateful for the calling of being a wife and a mother.

I enjoy quiet moments because all these responsibilities can be mentally demanding. I love spending time with my family, and I love to travel.

It is an interesting question because sometimes, it’s difficult to describe yourself. As much as people know me as a fashion designer, there are others who know me even better as a friend, a sister, a mother, an aunt and a daughter.

By the grace of God, I am able to thrive in and pour into all these callings He has blessed me with. I also make time to pour into myself by taking holidays when I can, spending time alone, shopping and finding different ways to recharge.

My faith is, in fact, the biggest part of my life. Being a fashion designer is just one of the many things God has called me to do.

Can you share a professional experience that tested your resilience and changed the way you approach your work?

There have been many.

Running a fashion brand while also serving as its designer and creative director demands a great deal of work. Every day presents its own challenges.

For me, some of those moments come during the process of creating new collections. I may have ideas I’m trying to bring to life, and sometimes they simply don’t work out the way I imagined. Those experiences have taken me back to the drawing board many times and forced me to change direction.

What I’ve realised is that, particularly in fashion design, when the creative process doesn’t unfold as planned, you often discover there’s so much more within you. Many times, you end up creating something even better.

I have learnt to see challenges as opportunities that point me towards something greater. Creative frustrations push me to look deeper within myself and to practise patience.

The Folawiyo name is widely associated with enterprise. How has that connection influenced you?

I don’t think it’s simply about being connected to a name. I am married to an amazing man who comes from the wonderful Folawiyo family, and I’m proud to be part of that family. As you pointed out, it’s a respected family in Nigeria, and I’m grateful for that.

However, there was never any pressure for me to become anything other than what I had always aspired to be, even before I married into the family.

My professional values were instilled in me by my own parents. My maiden name is Idowu, and I carry that name proudly, boldly and confidently. Being Lisa Idowu before becoming Lisa Folawiyo laid the foundation for who I am today.

It was my parents who gave me the values and work ethic I still carry. Those principles continue to fuel my ambition, vision, determination and commitment to achieving whatever goals I set for myself and for the brand.

We haven’t seen as much of you in the public space lately. Was that intentional, or has life simply taken you in a different direction?

I think it’s simply a reflection of how busy I’ve been with work and with life.

You get to a point where you realise you don’t have to be everywhere all the time. Even though we live in an age where so much emphasis is placed on optics, I have reached a stage in life where I know what truly matters.

I devote my time and energy to the things that give me peace and fulfillment. Business, family and constantly being in the public eye don’t always fit together in that way.

I’m glad I have matured enough to understand that. I’m also confident that whenever I choose to step into the public space, I can do so meaningfully and create impact.

Are there clients or collaborations that hold a special place in your heart?

Every single client holds a special place in my heart.

If it weren’t for our clients, wherever they are, we wouldn’t be having this interview.

Every client has meant, and continues to mean, everything to us because they’ve made us who we are today. You can have a great product, but if nobody buys it, that’s the end of the story.

People continue to love, respect and desire the beautiful pieces we create, and for that, I’m deeply grateful.

Are there any younger designers you’re quietly rooting for at the moment?

Not quietly. There are simply too many to begin naming.

I admire so many young designers, and I wouldn’t want to single out one person over another because there is incredible work being done across the industry.

What I especially appreciate are designers who approach fashion with integrity; those who are committed to making a meaningful impact while celebrating our heritage and culture. They do it beautifully and expertly, and I truly love seeing that.

How do you handle situations where a client wants something that doesn’t align with your vision?

For me, it’s about educating our clients and helping them understand why they came to us in the first place.

Over the years, we’ve built trust. I believe our clients—and the Nigerian fashion consumer generally—understand and respect our brand. They come to us because they believe in what we do.

Even when a client doesn’t immediately understand the vision, it usually takes only a little time for them to see it and embrace it.

What changes will you love to see in the fashion industry?

I would love to see more structured financial investment in the industry, whether from government institutions or financial organisations.

Support in the form of grants and favourable loans would go a long way because running a fashion business is extremely capital-intensive.

Many brands, including ours, are privately owned and largely self-funded. Greater access to funding on favourable terms would significantly strengthen both designers and the industry as a whole.

How has your immediate family supported or influenced your journey?

My family has been an essential part of this journey. My husband has been my biggest champion, supporting me through important decisions and every stage of building the brand, while my children have been incredibly understanding of the demands that come with the business.

Above all, my faith sustains me. God is my rock, and through prayer and trust in Him, I’ve found the strength to fulfil the responsibilities and purpose He has entrusted to me.