Nigerian fashion designer, Omosalewa Ogunjimi, has earned continental recognition at the 2025 Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD) Africa Talent Leather Design Competition, emerging as Continental Winner in the Apparel Category with her collection titled “Unburnt.”
Rooted in African history and female resilience, Unburnt draws inspiration from Moremi Ajasoro, the legendary Yoruba warrior queen whose story embodies courage, sacrifice, and renewal. Through leather couture, Ogunjimi reinterprets this narrative for a contemporary audience, positioning fashion as both cultural expression and artistic commentary.
The collection is constructed primarily from cowhide leather, in line with RLSD Africa’s emphasis on sustainability and responsible material use. Ogunjimi further incorporates Adire-inspired patterns and symbolic references to water, fire, protection, and rebirth, creating garments that speak to endurance, transformation, and the cyclical nature of life.
The 2025 edition of the competition marked a notable moment for Nigeria’s creative community, as it was the first time Nigerian designers reached the final stage of the RLSD Africa Talent Leather Design Competition. Out of hundreds of entries across the continent, only two Nigerian designers made it into the Top 15, highlighting both the competitiveness of the platform and the growing presence of Nigerian talent within Africa’s leather design space. Ogunjimi noted that the experience underscored the importance of visibility and participation for emerging designers, as African stories continue to find expression on global creative platforms.
Rather than presenting leather as rigid or industrial, Unburnt explores its emotional and symbolic potential. Structured silhouettes coexist with fluid detailing, reflecting the tension between strength and vulnerability that defines both the historical inspiration and modern womanhood.
The RLSD Africa Talent Leather Design Competition is a pan-African platform celebrating emerging designers who demonstrate originality, craftsmanship, and sustainable innovation in leather fashion. Ogunjimi’s recognition places her among a new generation of African creatives reshaping global perceptions of luxury through culturally grounded design.
Through her brand SHALLYBLAQ, Ogunjimi continues to explore African narratives within couture and bridal fashion, using design as a means of preserving heritage while engaging with contemporary global fashion discourse.
