Lisa Folawiyo is Obsessed With Bows

Published: June 2, 2026 Last Updated 47 seconds ago by Esther Ejoh

In recent years, bows have steadily gained prominence as a favored fashion embellishment. By 2023 and 2024, the trend became widespread, with enthusiasts incorporating bows into hairstyles, dresses, shoes, and even makeup. Despite their ubiquity, bows retained a playful, personal, and feminine appeal.

Lisa Folawiyo has elevated this bow trend to new heights. The acclaimed Nigerian designer, recognized for her innovative use of Ankara and reinterpretation of African textiles, has introduced a collection centered entirely on bows.

Titled “Bowbou,” the collection showcases bows in their most sculptural and dramatic form, capturing significant attention within the fashion industry.

Folawiyo is known for setting trends rather than following them. Since founding her label, she has transformed Dutch wax prints into sophisticated garments worn by figures such as Lupita Nyong’o, Michelle Obama, and Beyoncé.

Her signature style combines bold prints and precise tailoring, making traditional fabrics feel modern. With Bowbou, she explores a more sculptural and personal direction.

The Bowbou: An Archival Romance Reborn

The Bowbou collection centers on a distinctive garment crafted from fluid adire crepe and finished with oversized bows made from deadstock fabrics. The name combines “bow” and “boubou,” referencing the traditional West African robe. The result is a piece that is both traditional and avant-garde, romantic yet architectural.

The fabric choice for Bowbou is significant. Folawiyo revisits her signature heart print, first introduced in her Spring/Summer 2017 collection, “She Wears His Heart on Her Sleeve.” This motif, now a brand hallmark, blends sentimentality with sophistication and adds historical depth to the new collection.

The fabric selection also reflects Folawiyo’s longstanding commitment to sustainability. Bowbou is made entirely from deadstock fabrics, repurposing materials from previous collections.

This approach addresses industry waste and ensures each garment is unique in its prints, bow placements, and fabric combinations. “Consider yours impossible to replicate,” the brand states.

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The Sculptural Bow: From Flat to Three-Dimensional

Bowbou distinguishes itself through the three-dimensionality of its bows. Rather than flat embellishments, these sculptural elements transform the garment into wearable art. The bows create depth, cast shadows, and interact with light, enhancing the garment’s visual impact.

This sculptural approach reflects Folawiyo’s signature focus on texture, volume, and the dynamic qualities of fabric. In Bowbou, the bows serve as structural elements that shape the garment’s silhouette and define its character, rather than acting as mere decorations.

Bow placement in the collection is intentionally unpredictable, appearing on shoulders, hips, sleeves, or in clusters. Some garments feature a single dramatic bow, while others display multiple bows of varying sizes, creating a deliberate sense of maximalism and control.

The Bow Trend: From Hair Ribbons to High Fashion

To fully appreciate the Bowbou, one must understand how profoundly the bow trend has permeated every corner of fashion. It began modestly enough. In 2023, street style stars started tying black velvet ribbons into their ponytails, a look that was simultaneously schoolgirl chic and surprisingly sophisticated; a look approved by Naomi Osaka and Jennifer Lopez.

The trend spread quickly. Soon, fashion enthusiasts were wearing bows in their hair to weddings, to work, and to dinner dates. It was an accessible trend; anyone with a length of ribbon could participate.

By 2026, the bow had migrated from hair to clothing. Fashion designers were sewing bows onto dresses, blouses, and trousers. Bows appeared as belts, as necklines, as sleeve details, and as entire back panels. The size of the bow became a statement in itself. A tiny bow whispered elegance. An oversized bow screamed confidence. Fashion lovers embraced both extremes, and the trend showed no signs of slowing down.

But the most significant evolution of the bow trend has been in the bridal space. In a departure from tradition that has taken the wedding industry by storm, modern brides are increasingly substituting traditional veils for dramatic, sculptural bows. The look is strikingly romantic.

A giant bow perched at the back of the head, cascading down the bride’s back, creates an ethereal effect similar to a veil but with a modern, fashion-forward edge. Some brides choose bows made of sheer organza that float delicately behind them.

Others opt for structured satin bows that make a bold, architectural statement. The bow has become the veil for the woman who wants something different, something unexpected, something that feels entirely her own.

This shift is significant. The wedding veil has been a symbol of bridal tradition for centuries. Substituting it with a bow is not merely a stylistic choice; it is a declaration of independence from convention.

It says, “I respect tradition, but I am also my own woman.” The bow, in this context, becomes a symbol of modern femininity: playful yet powerful, romantic yet assertive. It is no wonder that so many brides are embracing it.

Sustainability and Storytelling: The Heart of Bowbou

A key aspect of the Bowbou collection is its commitment to sustainability. Folawiyo’s “Forever Loved” philosophy emphasizes creating garments meant to be cherished and passed down. Using deadstock fabrics reduces waste and infuses each piece with the history of past collections.

For example, the heart print first introduced in 2017 returns in Bowbou, now enriched by its history. Similarly, each deadstock fabric used has a unique past, and their combination creates a patchwork that reflects the brand’s evolution.

This design approach is rare in an industry focused on fast fashion. Folawiyo aims to create garments that are cherished, worn, repaired, and passed down, and the Bowbou collection exemplifies this vision.

The Bowbou collection has received widespread acclaim for its creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability. One Instagram commenter noted, “Simply stunning. The sculptural details and the story behind the fabrics make this such a captivating piece.” Others have praised its originality and distinctive style.

The collection has also prompted discussions about the role of African fashion designers in global fashion. Folawiyo challenges outdated perceptions, demonstrating that African designers are equally innovative and influential. Bowbou further reinforces this perspective.

Lisa Folawiyo’s fascination with bows has resulted in something extraordinary. The Bowbou collection celebrates the bow in its most sculptural and dramatic form, serving as a tribute to a trend that has captivated the fashion world. It demonstrates how small details can inspire significant impact.

While the bow trend may eventually fade, Bowbou will endure as a testament to the power of a designer’s vision. Consider yours impossible to replicate, and Lisa Folawiyo impossible to overlook.

Photo: Instagram/lisafolawiyo_studios