Opeyemi Salami: Expressing passion, talent in stitches

In the ever-evolving realm of fashion, some stories transcend the ordinary and echo the resilience of passion. That is the narrative of Opeyemi Salami, a name that has become synonymous with creativity and dedication in the fashion industry.

Salami’s journey began in the hallowed halls of Kwara State University, Nigeria, where the study of Business and Entrepreneurship set the stage for a remarkable transformation.

An unexpected occurred during her second-year entrepreneurship course. This rekindled her childhood love for sewing, stitching miniature garments for dolls with a needle and thread from her mother’s kit.


Following her graduation, Opeyemi’s path took her to Rivers State for the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The initial plan was to explore job opportunities in Lagos, but fate intervened. A chance discovery of a sewing machine during her stay with a family member reignited the flames of her passion, prompting her to immerse herself once again in the world of fabrics and stitches.

The turning point came when she enrolled in the prestigious Makadel Fashion Institute in Lagos, renowned for its Italian standard fashion education. The one-year course in fashion and design became a transformative experience, shaping her unique design philosophy and marking the beginning of her journey as a bona fide fashion designer.

At Beth&Beth, her fashion venture, Salami breathed life into African prints, using them as a canvas to narrate stories of culture, experiences, and traditions. She firmly believes in the power of reimagining these prints to craft contemporary designs that bridge generational gaps, appealing to both the young and the old.

Beth&Beth entered the limelight in 2018 when Opeyemi showcased her designs at the Nigerian Student Fashion and Design Week (NSFDW).

This marked the beginning of international recognition, with clients placing orders for her work from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The fusion of tradition and modernity in her creations has garnered attention and admiration on a global scale.

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