Bubu Ogisi is making African fashion in Africa for Africans.
Ogisi was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. She is a fashion consultant, designer and owner of IAMISIGO, an independent fashion brand based in Ghana and Nigeria that seeks to create a striking awareness of how African culture can be fused with an audacious but yet minimal design aesthetic.
Ogisi is on a continual mission to understand and embrace the diversity and complexity of African culture. Whether it’s employing traditional Kente weaving techniques to reaffirm the art of craftsmanship, or juxtaposing the notion of Ghanaian femininity with her native Nigeria, Ogisi harnesses the communicative power of clothes with every collection she produces.
IAMISIGO’s work is focused on using fashion to tell the colorful and complicated story of Africa’s history, present and future. It represents the hope of a self-affirming, self-sufficient Africa. Ogisi’s long-term goal is for the African design to be able to bring the continent together. The label’s name combines the words “I AM” with Ogisi’s surname stylized in the reverse — a nod to the fact that the label is Ogisi’s stamp on the world.
Ogisi studied fashion at the Ecole Supérieure des Arts et Technique de la Mode (ESMOD) in Paris. She has since showcased collections at Paris and London fashion weeks, been featured in British Vogue and had one of her garments handpicked by supermodel Naomi Campbell.
“I want these women to feel that somebody understood their history and their bodies and the lives they lead. Every piece is a love letter to them, and to my continent,” says Ogisi.
IAMISIGO has been featured on vogue.co.uk and received amazing reviews internationally.
