I Aim To Be Among The Top 3 Nigerian Fashion Designers – Sisi Sewing

Ahead of her brand, Sisi Sewing’s, appearance at the African Fashion Show this weekend, the Creative Director, Quwiyat Olashile Lawal, announced her goal of being among the top three Nigerian designers by 2030.

Over the past two years, the 27-year-old has been shuttling between the United Kingdom and Nigeria to establish her brand in the former and regain its footing in the latter.

Lawal’s entry into fashion was accidental. Her sister enrolled her as an apprentice at a sewing shop during an extended ASUU strike in her third year at university. What was meant to be a way to pass the time became her main focus. After graduation, she trained with a designer Hajjewels in Ilorin, where she refined her technical skills and gained hands-on industry experience.

However, that was not enough. To achieve her dream, Lawal is currently studying for a Fashion Diploma at the British Academy of Fashion Design in the UK. She is also preparing for a runway and a booth exhibition at the 2025 African Fashion Show on December 20–21 in Lagos, where she will unveil ten designs.

Preparation for the show has reignited Lawal’s mission to create her own unique fabrics and fabric designs.

“In fashion shows, there are over 100 brands in attendance, and if one is not careful, you’ll all be doing the same thing,” she said. “After the show, I will take my time to find and create my own customized fabrics. People will see the uniqueness of Sisi Sewing from the fabric to the sewing and finishing”.

Lawal, inspired by Nigerian designer VeeKee James, also discussed the temptation to copy popular designers or the ‘hit’ designs online. Her strategy is to ‘reimagine’ designs—by changing fabrics and colors, and borrowing specific elements she likes from a piece, like a sleeve or bodice, to create something new.

“Sometimes, the fabric speaks for the style. I get the fabric first before thinking of what to make. Other times, I have a design in my head that fits a particular fabric.”

Her new designs are then uploaded to AI for enhancement. However, she has had to stop using the tool due to its lack of originality.

“Maybe it’s me not being skilled at prompting the tool, but whenever I upload my designs and ask AI to recreate them, I never get what I want. I’ve never received an original African design from AI.

“Don’t get me wrong, AI is not bad. 95 percent of fashion designers use AI. I think it makes our work more straightforward. But it can’t solve all our problems.

“It’s not helpful when I’m home after a long day’s work, and I need to send a style to a client, but all I get from AI is generic. I’m inspired when I’m sleeping or see a style I like and modify it.”

As part of her plans to establish her brand in both countries, Lawal has hired production managers in the UK and Lagos, a stylist, and secured tailors and a fashion studio space in Abuja.

“As much as I’d love to make all my clients’ clothes myself, I just can’t do it alone. If they insist, as a few have, I do.

“Having people call me all the way from Lagos while I’m in Abuja, insisting I make clothes for them no matter how long it takes, means a lot to me.

“My goal for 2026 is to build a strong team that will make it easier for my brand to operate in both countries. My long-term vision is to establish a fashion house that create jobs, build confidence, and position Sisi Sewing as a globally recognized fashion house. My goal is to be among the top three Nigerian designers making global impact by 2030,” she concluded.