Nigerian designer Omosalewa Ogunjimi has been named the Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD) Africa 2026 Most Commendable Designer, emerging at the top of a highly competitive pan-African field with EXUVIA, a striking exploration of leather, structure and transformation. Inspired by the human spine, ribcage and the natural process of moulting, EXUVIA explores ideas of resilience, protection and renewal through a bold, sculptural design language. Rather than treating leather simply as a surface or decorative material, Ogunjimi makes it part of the garment’s architecture, using modular construction to create a design capable of transformation and multiple expressions. The result is a proposition that brings together storytelling, functionality and material experimentation, qualities that distinguished EXUVIA through the final stages of the competition and earned Ogunjimi the honour of representing Africa at the international RLSD competition in Bangkok, Thailand, from 27–29 October 2026. For Ogunjimi, EXUVIA is also an expression of an increasingly distinctive personal design language. “EXUVIA is a reflection of my design language where structure, functionality and storytelling come together to create something distinct. I’m honoured to carry this work forward and represent Africa on the global stage,” she said. FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION Now in its fourth year in Africa and sixth...
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