A little “How it’s Going” vs “How it Kinda Started” on this Mother’s Day with this little one. Let’s just say God is good. 😮💨🥹☺️
Happy Mother’s Day every mother out there. You are appreciated.❤️
#MothersDay
I know today is all about the #METGala but my mind is still on the #ConversationDinnerSeries I attended last week, hosted by the @adfricancollective (@bukks ) and @blkgirlambition (@glamourgirlniya ). A big thank you to you ladies for curating such an intentional experience for us to enjoy!
To the ladies I met and had the opportunity to share space with, thank you as well. While I don’t get to talk to every single person, the overall energy in the room was exactly what I needed so thank you! 🥰
Decor: @vivian_duru
Sponsor: @makersmark
Guest Speaker: @badassboz
Dress: @inaarawoman_
#adfricanwomenscollective #blkgirlambition #theoyatogirl
👀 Ok who are we choosing ladies?
Drop them in the comments and tag them too. I’m taking notes. ✍🏾
Top: @christopherjohnrogers for @oldnavy
#BlackOwnedFashion #AfricanFashion #AfricanDesigners #FashionPopUp #theOYATOCollective
Collective (noun): a group formed by individuals coming together around a shared vision or purpose.
If you are a fashion designer of Black or African descent looking to grow in community with other creatives, we’d love to welcome you.
Tap the link in bio to apply.
#TheOYATOCollective #ROOTSxOYATO #AfricanFashion #BlackFashionDesigners #DiasporaFashion FashionCommunity FashionCollective DesignerCommunity FashionWithMeaning Craftsmanship CulturalStorytelling
I had a book back in school where I scribbled “Fashion is Life” on the cover and that line rang true to me for a long time!
And you know what? It still does. I always knew fashion would remain a part of my life in some way so this ecosystem that is The OYATO Collective, is here to support, spotlight and create opportunities for designers and brands.
This may not be OYATO returning in the same form, but it is a continuation of the vision in a way that feels more intentional.
Soooo if you’re a designer with a clear design point of view, I’d love for you to apply. The link is in the bio.
Thank you forever. @adeohyelah 🫶🏾
Disclaimer: Some of the designers featured in this video are included for visual purposes only and are not being announced as confirmed participants or affiliates at this time.
#africandesigners #blackdesigners #theoyatocollective #madeinafrica #designercollective
Q1 wasn’t too bad. 🥰
Even with all the snow we got, I made a point to do a few things that would still make this past winter a memorable one.
Last slide is the mood going into this Spring and Summer. 😉
#photodump #motherhood #birthdays
Let me hold your hand while I say this…. you do not need a huge collection to start or validate your brand.
Starting small is not a lack of vision, it’s wisdom. Because production costs add up quickly and dead stock is a very real (humbling) lesson a lot of designers learn after the fact.
I say this with love of Christ: stop letting pressure (and sometimes passion) make you overproduce. Test first. Learn first. Listen to your audience and grow with intention.
Once we more honest conversations about this and more, we create better pathways for designers to grow sustainably.
That “Back in the 90’s” trend made me think about this question I feel like my daughter would ask me when she’s much older.
I hope she’s able to look at these photos and draw some confidence and inspiration from them.
As much as being designer worked every one of my nerves, it also gave me the freedom to truly create and express myself. That’s a level of freedom I hope you all get to experience over and over.
And if you look at the last slide, what I cherish the most were the women who got to wear that freedom of expression on their backs.
That’s a feeling I’ll never be able to fully put into words.
#oyatogirls #theoyatogirl #fashiondesigner #africaninspiredfashion #africandesigner
And here’s Part 2…
Once again, while many different factors can bring a business to a close or force it to take a step back to recalibrate, one common theme I see with Black women owned businesses in this country is the limited resources available to support their ventures.
I remember hearing someone say that Black businesses are always being supported through coaching but not always through funding and it struck me because it’s true.
How do we create an ecosystem that truly allows these brands to be seen, like what else be done? I’m not trying to recreate the wheel here because I know of other amazing individuals and agencies who saw this same gap and have positioned themselves to fill it but how do we further refine the ecosystem so these barriers don’t remain so high?
Sigh.
Anywho, I’ve decided to not just complain and mull over it but to throw my hat in the game with @theoyatocollective . Think of her as #oyato’s elder sister with a whole lot of wisdom to share instead of looks.
Thank you all for hearing me out. ❤️
#thatoyatogirl #nigeriandesigners #blackdesigners #venturecaptial
I fear this video will not help me beat the “long winded” allegations but oh well. Needed to get this out because it was eating at me. Just call me Moesha and you all are my “Dear Diary” soooo welcome to Part 1 (because IG won’t let me upload it all at once 😅).
While many different factors can bring a business to a close or force it to take a step back to recalibrate, one common theme I see with Black women owned businesses in this country is the limited resources available to support their ventures.
I remember hearing someone say that Black businesses are always being supported through coaching but not always through funding and it struck me because it’s true.
How do we create an ecosystem that truly allows these brands to be seen, like what else be done? I’m not trying to recreate the wheel here because I know of other amazing individuals and agencies who saw this same gap and have positioned themselves to fill it like @harlemsfashionrow , @lhaudeafrica , @thesourcingshortcut and @thefolklore (to name a few) but how do we further refine the ecosystem so these barriers don’t remain so high?
Sigh.
Anywho, I’ve decided not just complain and mull over it but to throw my hat in the game, @theoyatocollective . Think of her as #oyato’s elder sister with a whole lot of wisdom to share instead of looks.
Thank you all for hearing me out. ❤️
#thatoyatogirl #nigeriandesigners #blackdesigners #venturecaptial
This year I definitely stepped outside my comfort zone on a few fronts to lowkey test myself and what i learned is that while you may have valid points for not wanting to rock the boat by stepping out on faith… you owe it to yourself to at least try.
Key words for my 2026: JUST TRY.
1. Draped in @inaarawoman_ . Captured by @monoonwhite .
2. Baby girl’s first “concert” with @disneyonice . 🥳
3. Made it to the gym more times than ever before thanks to @kay.lanilee . 😮💨
4. Family game night.
5. Made my first bird and it was actually good. Thanks for the assist @eminiroyal . 🦃
6. Under the sea with @atlantisthepalm . 🐠
7. Let’s do lunch. 🥰
8. Love, Amara. 🏝️
9. All the (dream) girls love @sephora . 💄
10. This little light of mine.
11. Last museum visit of the year @themuseumofmodernart .
12. Famileeee.❤️
13. My FYP can be a little too accurate. 🤭
14. See you all in the new year. ✌🏾
This Summer wasn’t what I expected but definitely the one I needed.
So grateful for the memories.🫶🏽
Aso Ebi Looks: @trendenciasapparel
#thatoyatogirl #adventuresofoyato #asoebi #nigerianweddings #owanbe
