When it comes to luxury handbags, Nigerian-owned brands are making a name for themselves in the fashion industry.
Nigerians are renowned for their remarkable creativity in textile crafting, fashion design, and artisanal skills. The evidence is undeniable: at every major red carpet event across Africa and globally, Nigerian creative talents make significant contributions that often become the center of attention and even set the trends in the African fashion industry.
Amidst this burgeoning African fashion scene, Nigerian-owned handbag brands are establishing their own distinctive niche, merging traditional styles with modern aesthetics. While Nigerian fashion has already made and continues to make international headlines with its vibrant clothing lines, the world is only just beginning to recognize the charm of Nigerian handbag creators. These brands, though occasionally eclipsed by global names, are now receiving well-earned praise for their exceptional quality and unique style.
This article uncovers the hidden gems of Nigeria’s bag industry, spotlighting the designers and brands that are redefining accessory fashion and elevating Nigeria’s presence on the global fashion stage. Keep reading to discover the stories behind their innovation and craftsmanship, as well as the rich cultural influences that make these Nigerian-owned bag brands truly stand out.
Nigerian-Owned Handbag Brand: Marte Egele
Marté Egele’s handbag designs embody a high standard of quality, blending vibrant African culture with a global allure, all while drawing inspiration from the Art Deco era. Founded in 2012 and officially launched in 2015, the brand is rooted in the values of family, genuine friendships, and individuality.
This philosophy of this Nigerian-owned handbag brand is reflected in its collections, where each piece, often named after family and close friends, is produced in limited quantities to ensure uniqueness and prevent overproduction. Named after Uche Martha Egele, the Founder and Creative Director, the brand celebrates a passion for life, travel, design, art, and culture.
Marté Egele’s handbags are meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans from Nigeria and Senegal, with leather sourced from Lagos, ensuring a touch of personal and cultural significance in every piece.
Nigerian-Owned Handbag Brand: Winston Leather
Established by Winston Udeagha, who manages his family’s leather-making business in Kano, Nigeria, the brand has become a popular and affordable accessory choice for people globally. When Udeagha founded Winston Leather in the early 1990s, the company primarily supplied leather to high-end fashion houses like Ralph Lauren, which sold their products at luxury prices.
French brands such as Louis Vuitton also procured leather from Udeagha’s Nigerian company. Udeagha has since broadened the brand’s range to include leather accessories such as shoes, laptop sleeves, and, most recently, handbags available through the Winston Leather website.
With prices ranging from $55 to $200, this Nigerian-owned handbag brand seeks to make luxury items accessible, especially for fashion-savvy consumers and individuals in his community who produce leather but do not have ownership of it.
Nigerian-Owned Handbag Brand: Zashadu
Nigerian designer, Zainab Ashadu is the founder of the Zashadu brand. Known for her modern designer bags, Ashadu infuses her colorful creations with the ancient Nigerian art of tanning and leather dyeing.
As one of the Nigerian-owned handbag brands specializing in handcrafted leather goods and sustainable practices, Zashadu enjoys an international presence in cities such as London, Miami, Dublin, Johannesburg, and Paris.
Committed to sustainability and social responsibility, Ashadu employs local tanners and supports the continuation of traditional skills passed down through generations. Furthermore, the leather used in Zashadu’s products is traceable, and the dyes employed are plant-based and environmentally friendly.
Nigerian-Owned Handbag Brand: Shekudo
The handbag label Shekudo was established by Akudo Iheakanwa and her close friend Shetu in Sydney, Australia, in 2017, initially as A Global Sisterhood brand for women’s apparel, merging heritage, personal experiences, and a wearable art approach.
Tailored for women who cherish luxury and lifestyle, Shekudo, now under the exclusive creative leadership of Akudo (Amy) Iheakanwa, has transitioned to focus on footwear and accessories. Each handbag at Shekudo is skillfully handcrafted by local artisans, using traditional fabrics like aṣọ òkè combined with contemporary leather sourced from prominent Nigerian markets.
Beyond the brand aesthetics that are quite visible, Shekudo is one of those Nigeria-owned handbag brands committed to highlighting the craftsmanship of local artisans and has established a community dedicated to preserving traditional techniques and advancing African cultural heritage.
Nigerian-Owned Handbag Brand: Toke Makinwa Luxury
When considering luxury Nigerian-owned handbag brands, TM Luxury immediately stands out. This recognition is not just due to the founder, but also because of the inventive approach that Toke Makinwa and her team bring to creating high-quality handbags for women both across Africa and globally.
Established in early 2018, Toke Makinwa Luxury offers its products online with worldwide shipping. The acclaim for Makinwa’s handbags is evident from glowing reviews and the endorsement of prominent Nigerian celebrities and fashion influencers such as Laura Ikeji and others, who frequently showcase TM Luxury.
Nigerian-Owned Handbag Brand: Shobikan
Established by Esther Oyelese, Shobikān is an upscale Nigerian-owned handbag brand renowned for its unconventional fusion of East Asian and West African modern fashion and lifestyle. As a pioneering bag designer, Oyelese has set a global benchmark with her distinctive handbags.
This Nigerian-owned handbag brand is thus celebrated for its avant-garde designs, inspired by the intersecting elements of Japanese art, language, culture, and carefully curated African traditions.
By combining the best aspects of African and Oriental arts, Shobikān has revolutionized the African fashion and lifestyle sector, giving a fresh and innovative aesthetic to women’s fashion accessories. In essence, the brand epitomizes exclusivity, minimalist designs, and art-inspired luxury.
Nigerian-Owned Handbag Brand: Femi Handbags
If you’re drawn to bold and vibrant colors that embody the essence of Africa, Femi Handbags is the perfect choice for you. This luxury leather handbag brand stands out among Nigerian-owned handbag brands for its superior quality. Each bag features classic, timeless shapes and vintage-inspired silhouettes, complemented by striking color schemes.
Founded in 1992 by self-taught handbag designer Femi Olayebi, the brand excels in blending traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques. The craftsmanship of this handbag brand is evident in its product details such as whip-stitched edges, hand-stitched rolled handles, and hand-sewn straps, all emblematic of the brand’s aesthetic.
Olayebi has achieved outstanding success with Femi Handbags, including showcases at Pure London in 2010, appearances on CNN Marketplace Africa, and a presentation at the Autumn/Winter 2019 edition of Coterie, a fashion and accessories trade show in New York. Her brand has also been featured as a case study for MBA students at the Lagos Business School in 2013 and 2019, as per her exclusive feature with Lionesses of Africa in 2020.
Nigerian-Owned Handbag Brand: O’Eclat
O’Eclat Designs (pronounced O-Eyklah) is a Lagos-based bag brand renowned for its premium yet affordable leather handbags and accessories, expertly crafted by talented artisans. At O’Eclat Designs, innovation harmoniously merges with the African tradition.
Established by Gbemi Johnson, this Nigerian-owned handbag brand showcases a range of handcrafted bags made from leather and traditional African textiles. Known for its commitment to sustainability and intricate attention to detail, O’Eclat’s creations, such as the Adunni Tote and the Titi Bag, are striking, colorful, and culturally rich, making them exceptional statement accessories.
Nigerian-Owned Handbag Brand: Detail Africa
Seromume Ikogho founded Detail Africa with the mission of championing precision and individuality. Specializing in premium purses and briefcases for both men and women, this Nigeria-owned handbag brand is renowned for its detailed craftsmanship that is evident even from afar, as its name implies.
“Detail Africa” is the go-to choice for a bag that exudes quality and uniqueness. The brand’s commitment to fashion is matched by its dedication to improving the lives of youth and women in Africa by training local artisans to create globally competitive, high-quality leather goods that stand out in remarkable ways.
Nigerian-Owned Handbag Brand: Ohiole Lagos
For women who have a clear idea of what they’re looking for but haven’t yet found it, Ohiole Lagos is an ideal starting point. The brand’s dedication to using premium materials ensures that their bags will be a lasting addition to your collection.
Innovative and visually striking, Ohiole Lagos bags are designed to spark conversations. Celebrated for their unique visual artistry and inventive designs, these bags are guaranteed to draw admiration wherever you go. If you want a Nigerian-owned handbag brand that embodies your bold and artistic spirit, Ohiole Lagos is the brand for you.
Nigerian-Owned Handbag Brand: Aaboux
Established in 2017 by Zainab Aliyu (CEO & Creative Director), AABOUX is a luxury Nigerian-owned handbag brand known for creating limited-edition statement pieces from the finest and most refined leathers. The team explores diverse, appealing silhouettes and combines exquisitely selected leathers to craft unique, limited-edition items for women who cherish timeless design, grace, and style.
AABOUX has been featured in a range of media and magazine outlets, including Essence Magazine, Glamour UK, Tatler Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, L’Officiel India, and more. The brand has also participated in prominent fashion events such as New York Fashion Week (NYFW), the Coterie New York Trade Show, the New York NY Now Show, and NuOrder, etc.
