It’s long been hypothesized that twins share a particularly unique psychological connection that is comparably more intense than the bonds between siblings who did not share a womb. For twin sisters and founders of Nigerian fashion brand Gozel Green, Sylvia Enekwe-Ojei, and Olivia Enekwe-Okoji, this certainly seems to be the case. Raised in Enugu, a state in the southeast of Nigeria, both demonstrated an innate proclivity toward fashion early on, which drove them both to pursue degrees in Art and Economics at the Igbinedion University Okada and, ultimately, led to them joining forces in the creation of their brand.

“Two is always better than one,” Sylvia tells Industrie Africa. “Working with my twin sister makes things easier, definitely. Often, our ideas mirror the other, so there is very little friction between us regarding the design process. We think alike, our tastes are similar, and we’re guided by the same aesthetics. As a result, there is a strong level of trust, which can be very freeing. Our bond is almost like an unspoken contract; she’s not just a partner, she’s my sister.”

But the bond between Sylvia and Olivia isn’t the only familial element that drives the brand; their parents, both of whom have enjoyed successful careers in the creative industries, have had and continue to have an immense influence on the creative and design processes of their collections.

“When you see a Gozel Green piece, you will see a unique, artistic, original collection,” she says. “It’s a brand for strong women, for the woman who is not intimidated by being noticed.”

As the name suggests, Gozel Green is committed to production practices that prioritize sustainability. By utilizing upcycling methods and incorporating scraps of fabric that would otherwise be discarded into their work, they aim to minimize the waste the fashion industry creates as much as possible. “This is something that really comes from our childhood,” Sylvia states. “Because our mum was a fashion designer, we would use her offcuts to make our own dresses for our dolls. In our latest range, upcycled cutoffs were a primary element, and in the future, we will focus on working with fabrics that are 100% sustainable.”

Called “True,” their most recent collection—which was met with acclaim at last October’s Lagos Fashion Week—reinforces the message of authenticity that Sylvia tells us is the bedrock of the brand. To create pieces that appealed to a diverse array of women, Sylvia and Olivia based their garments on various fashion archetypes. As a result, each piece is designed to communicate to a certain kind of woman, including 'The Cool Girl,' 'The Chic Girl,' 'The Artsy Girl,' and 'The Smart Girl.' “This collection advocates for you to be your true self,” Sylvia says. 

From scalloped skirts and patchwork jackets to denim shirt dresses and matching sets, the collection’s contemporary silhouettes seamlessly merge with unexpected fabrics, including crepe, denim, and satin. Each piece embodies elegance and versatility that makes it easy to transition from day to night, taking its wearer straight from the office to a dinner party. For Sylvia, the collection’s positive reception signifies a clear evolution of the sensibilities of the Nigerian shopper.

“When we started the brand, the Nigerian fashion industry didn’t really understand our aesthetic or the deconstruction element, so the audience wasn’t really there for us yet,” she says. “Over the years, however, I think people started to see the reception we got from the international fashion community, and that started to change. We now have very loyal, trusted, passionate clients who understand our aesthetics and that African designers have original voices for storytelling and rich cultures. So things are changing and growing, and both Olivia and I are proud to be a part of that.”