Leather craftsmanship often teeters between the predictable and the extravagant.
Amidst this uncertain dabbling in the leather fashion manufacturing industry, Jakar Lagos has managed to carve out a distinct identity – one defined by intricate colour mosaics, bold pattern interplays, and an unapologetic embrace of artistic complexity.
Oluyemisi Oni and Aishat Alimi’s Jakar Lagos is not merely a handbag brand, but a testament to the fusion of sustainable leatherwork and boundary-pushing design.
On November 11, 2018, the brand drew attention at the GTB Fashion Weekend, an event that has grown into one of Lagos’ most electrifying showcases of African and international fashion. This wasn’t just a moment for Jakar Lagos to display its products, it was an opportunity to challenge the narrative of leather handbags as mere accessories.
Jakar Lagos’ dedication to top-quality leather is evident in the tactile richness of their bags. The grain is meticulously selected, ensuring each piece possesses a supple yet structured form. The brand works with vegetable-tanned hides, a conscious effort to reduce the environmental toll of chemical-heavy treatments. The result is a depth of texture that doesn’t just serve as a backdrop for their elaborate designs, but actively enhances them.
Each bag showcased at GTCO Fashion Weekend bore a testament to the ability of the designers, and manufacturers to manipulate leather with features like seamless panelling, precise stitching, and finishes.
Despite the boldness of its designs, Jakar Lagos’ designs resonated with the GTB Fashion Weekend crowd, which comprised a mix of industry professionals, fashion enthusiasts, and high-net-worth shoppers. By the close of the event, the brand had managed to sell 17 pieces, a number that, while modest in raw figures, was significant given the premium price points and the niche appeal of the designs.
A recurring sentiment among onlookers was that Jakar Lagos was pushing the conversation around leather handbags into new territory. These were not passive luxury goods; they were wearable dialogues on texture, contrast, and composition.
