As 2021 draws to a close and the fashion industry continues to regain its rhythm following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, ShaykaraBrand is marking its return with a collection carrying a simple but powerful message: Shaykara Back.

Launched in November 2021, the collection represents a creative comeback and a personal milestone for the young designer behind it, who has spent much of the period balancing the demands of university education with the responsibilities of building and running a fashion business.

While studying at Lagos State University, the founder of ShaykaraBrand has had to navigate academic deadlines alongside design development, production, customer orders, fabric sourcing and the day-to-day demands that come with growing a young fashion label. Designs have sometimes been developed between lectures, while production and customer requests have competed for attention with coursework and examination preparation.

It is a demanding combination, but one that has also influenced the identity ShaykaraBrand is building. The founder occupies several spaces at once as a student, entrepreneur, designer and sustainability-conscious fashion practitioner. That experience connects closely with the women the brand seeks to dress, particularly women who carry several responsibilities and ambitions without allowing themselves to be defined by a single role.

Shaykara Back translates that attitude into a bold and expressive collection centred on colour, femininity and contemporary African style. Created primarily with 100% cotton Ankara, the collection uses familiar African textiles in silhouettes designed to combine comfort, movement and presence.

Among the pieces in the collection is the Nadia Dress, which features dramatic puffed sleeves and an off-shoulder cut. The Zuri Skirt incorporates bright Ankara prints and geometric patterns, while the Zuberi Dress brings together multicoloured patchwork. The Arewa Dress takes a similarly expressive approach through vibrant colour blocking.

Collectively, the pieces reflect a willingness to embrace colour and visibility. They are designed for women who want their clothes to feel expressive without sacrificing comfort or wearability.

The use of Ankara is equally intentional. Cotton Ankara occupies an important place within Nigerian and wider African fashion, from fabrics found across Lagos markets and family wardrobes to garments worn for everyday occasions and celebrations. ShaykaraBrand brings that familiarity into contemporary silhouettes, creating pieces that acknowledge cultural heritage while responding to the style preferences of modern consumers.

The collection also reflects the founder’s interest in sustainable fashion. For ShaykaraBrand, sustainability does not have to translate into clothes that feel restrictive, understated or disconnected from personal style. The brand is exploring how conscious fashion can remain colourful, feminine, accessible and enjoyable to wear.

That philosophy has also attracted attention beyond the brand’s immediate customer community. ShaykaraBrand’s return to the fashion scene this year with the Shaykara Back collection also drew the attention of SpicTV Marketplace, a lifestyle and fashion television programme focused on shopping culture, emerging market trends and innovative fashion products.

The founder was invited to appear on the programme to discuss the collection and share her approach to sustainable fashion design. For a young designer who is still completing her university education while developing a fashion business, the appearance represents an important step in introducing ShaykaraBrand and its philosophy to a broader audience.

The SpicTV platform provided an opportunity to discuss the ideas behind the garments, including the relationship between African identity and contemporary fashion, the possibilities within sustainable design, and the realities of building a fashion brand as a young creative.

It also allowed the founder to speak about her efforts to balance sustainability with accessibility and affordability. Rather than treating responsible fashion as separate from commercially desirable clothing, ShaykaraBrand is working to bring these ideas together through pieces that retain the colour, personality and cultural references its customers recognise.

The timing of Shaykara Back adds another dimension to the collection. Across the world, 2021 has been a period of adjustment following prolonged COVID-19 restrictions. Social activities are returning, people are reconnecting and fashion is once again becoming an important part of how many people express that renewed sense of movement and celebration.

For a collection built around bright prints, expressive silhouettes and confidence, that environment feels particularly appropriate. Shaykara Back arrives at a moment when people are beginning to dress for gatherings, celebrations and experiences again, and its visual identity embraces that sense of colour and optimism.

At the same time, a new generation of African designers is finding different ways to establish fashion businesses while drawing from local textiles, cultural references and contemporary influences. For young creatives in Lagos, building a brand often means working within limited resources, navigating production challenges and learning the business side of fashion alongside the creative process.

ShaykaraBrand’s founder is experiencing many of those realities firsthand while also completing her university education. Rather than waiting until graduation or until circumstances become ideal, she has chosen to develop the brand alongside her studies.

That decision gives Shaykara Back much of its meaning. The collection is not simply about returning with new designs. It reflects the persistence required to continue creating when academic responsibilities, entrepreneurship and personal ambitions all demand attention at the same time.

For the young designer behind ShaykaraBrand, December 2021 therefore represents another stage in a journey that is still developing. The collection provides an opportunity to introduce a stronger expression of the brand’s aesthetic while reinforcing its interest in contemporary African fashion and sustainable practice.

The name captures that feeling succinctly. Shaykara Back is a declaration of return and presence. After navigating the pressures of school, production and entrepreneurship, ShaykaraBrand is stepping forward again with colour, confidence and a growing vision for what the brand can become.

For more information about the Shaykara Back collection, interviews or images, contact ShaykaraBrand on Instagram @shaykarabrand.