Sustainability Inside the Lagos-based Brand Lohije: A Premium Artisanal Brand Inspired

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

LOHIJE is a premium artisanal brand inspired by rich African art history to craft garments using conscious design processes and materials that celebrate African culture, nature, local crafts, and artisans. The sustainable fashion brand was founded by Gift Olohije. She is an avid entrepreneur who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication degree from the University of Benin, Nigeria, and a Diploma in Fashion Design from Rhoda Michael’s Fashion School. Inspired by her mother who was a seamstress, Gift developed a love for fashion at a tender age.

“I was inspired by my mother, Doris Erhagbai. She was a seamstress. I loved watching her make dresses for my sister and me. That was where my love for fashion began,” recounts Gift.

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing  brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

In 2022 When Nigerian designer Gift Raji found out that her clothing and accessory designs had won Fashionomics Africa’s $3,000 prize for sustainable fashion, it wasn’t only the cash prize that had her excited. The founder and creative director of Lagos-based brand Lohije said she saw the win as an opportunity to bring Africa’s sustainable styles to the world.

Nigerian designer Gift Raji the founder and Creative Director of  the LOHIJE

“It’s more than money, it is about the mentorship. When I learned that I won, I saw possibilities – that Fashionomics Africa will open up possibilities for discovering more textiles here in Africa, that we can produce and export,” Raji said about the African Development Bank

After participating in the Fashionomics Africa contest, the team at LOHIJE felt encouraged to continue on their path and take on bigger feats to promote sustainability and circularity. Winning the competition reinforced the brand’s vision of being at the forefront of the global fashion community. In fact, LOHIJE has been reenergized to continue celebrating African craft and her artisans while upholding the basis of conscious fashion.

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

Its garments are crafted using a conscious design process and materials that celebrate African culture, nature, local crafts, and artisans. Sourcing of the brand’s production materials is done locally and organically, ensuring that there is no waste, through tactical and skillful cutting and reuse of leftover materials.

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

For LOHIJE to maintain the posterity of its local crafts, it employs local artisans who are experts in traditional forms of cloth weaving, dyeing, and other forms of traditional textiles. Their approach emphasizes indigenous techniques while infusing modern-day innovation to satisfy the growing taste for contemporary fashion. Local artisans that the brand works with have always been a key component of the brand’s model through their contribution to its production processes.

“Our goal has been to celebrate African artisans behind the scenes doing a lot of work,” says Gift.

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

LOHIJE’s products are designed to appeal to conscious shoppers, and people with an appreciation of African crafts and culture. So far, the brand has been able to exhibit its designs on major platforms such as the Lagos Fashion Week, and most recently, win a grant from the African Development Bank’s Fashionomics Africa.

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing  brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing  brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing  brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing  brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing  brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

Collection 2023 Made by Lohije clothing  brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

Views on Sustainability

Collection 2023 was Made by Lohije Clothing  in partnership with the local community 

Gift is of the view that brands in Africa are starting to embrace sustainability and circularity, and actively taking part in the solutions. However, their efforts are constrained by issues such as the dumping of second-hand clothes in Africa, which emerging brands cannot control. She, therefore, advocates for collective efforts by fashion industry stakeholders, to facilitate the industry’s progress in terms of sustainability. 

Inside the workshop at the Lohije clothing brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

Gift recognizes the significant contribution of African-based fashion industries in shaping sustainable practices, through practices such as thrift shopping, hand-me-downs, and incorporating indigenous crafting techniques. She, however, feels that there is room for improvement in terms of policy, infrastructure, and integrating technology.

Inside the workshop at the Lohije clothing brand based in Lagos, Nigeria ( Photo LOHIJE)

 To see more of LOHIJE’s eccentric designs, or purchase some of their looks, feel free to visit their Instagram 

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