KÀAYA

KÀAYA is built on the idea that heritage textiles can be reworked without losing their original weight. Founded by Mimi Hassan and based in Lekki, Lagos, the Nigerian womenswear label draws from materials such as aso oke and akwete, recontextualising them within a contemporary wardrobe.

Rather than preserving these textiles in their traditional forms, Hassan treats them as a starting point—cutting, restructuring, and layering them into garments that feel direct and modern. The process often involves upcycling and repurposing, allowing existing fabrics to take on new shape and function. Production remains small-scale and hands-on, with each piece carrying the irregularities and character of its source material.

This approach positions KÀAYA within a slower mode of making, where sustainability is embedded in both material choice and method. The result is clothing that holds a sense of continuity, connecting past techniques to present-day wear without flattening either.