Lanre Da Silva
Designer

Lanre Da Silva

Lanre Da Silva

About

Lanre Da Silva born in 1978, is a Lagos-based fashion designer considered one of Nigeria’s leading couturiers. Launched in 2005 - her eponymous label includes couture, ready-to-wear, jewelry, and hairpieces. Da Silva’s collections often incorporate metallic fabrics, lace, and African patterns while referencing the 1940s or 1800s.

In 2011, Da Silva presented her collection at New York Fashion Week. As an African luxury brand, her clothing line has been sold at Dolce & Gabbana’s store in Milan.

In 2012, she was one of two designers asked to join the United Nations Fashion Development Project that helps support her continent’s luxury industry. The same year her label featured in L’Uomo Vogue in an issue called Re-branding Africa.

In 2012, Italian Vogue wrote a piece on Da Silva and was mentioned in Vogue Italia, where the designer spoke about meeting the magazine editor Franca Sozzani, who got her collection noticed and stocked at online fashion retailer yoox.com. Da Silva’s designs have also been featured in Vogue Black and Arise Magazine.

Da Silva’s clothes are described as groundbreaking in their use of traditional African prints. She is known for reinterpreting and modernizing traditional motifs, making them an essential part of her designs. In 2017, Da Silva created outfits for the 2017 look book of Vlisco, an African fabrics and textiles manufacturer.

In 2014, her “Rock Delight” collection was presented at the “Vogue Talents” fashion show in Milan, Italy. The designer was inspired by the colors and lines of Olumo Rock, a popular tourist destination located in Nigeria.

Her clothes are seen at shows such as the 2008 Thisday Africa Rising Festival in London, the 2009 Arise Africa Fashion Festival in South Africa, the 2009 New York Couture Fashion Week, and the 2011 Arise Magazine Fashion Week in Lagos.

Creating what she calls wearable art, Da Silva collaborated with artist Ayoola Gbolahan for her 2017 collection. Rich in detail, the clothes are described as embodying artistic imagery. That same year she was nominated for an Eloy Award, a Nigerian event celebrating female achievement. In 2016, the designer graced the cover of the Nigerian publication Complete Fashion Magazine.

In 2018, Da Silva returned to the Arise Africa Fashion Festival, where it was described as elegant and accented by metallic gold colors. British supermodel Naomi Campbell opened the show wearing one of da Silva’s outfits.

Filter
Our Partners & Sponsors