The Legacy of a Black Sustainable Luxury Brand

You may have seen on Instagram that I recently did a paid partnership in celebration of Black History Month in the US and Canada, working with Leyelesi, a Black owned independent business based here in Edinburgh. Aghogho kindly agreed to work with me, providing this beautiful essay based on her experiences as a Black creative and these stunning photos of her work. Enjoy her words and be sure to check out her shop links below.

As a Nigerian- American, that has lived in the United Kingdom for the last 15 years, when I was researching manufacturers for my potential brand, I knew immediately I would use African Artisans. I wanted to utilise artisans that implemented traditional techniques to create luxury pieces. My want to create with Black and African artisans stems from one of the best times of my life: attending Howard University.

Howard University ‘The Real HU’ as we call it, is an Historically Black College University (HBCU) located in Washington, D.C. It was at Howard that I fell in love with fashion, it was at Howard where I launched my first brand, and lastly it was at Howard where I was taught to live a life of truth and service.
Thus, my desire to manufacture my brand in West African countries was a no brainer. When I started five years ago, I did what was natural to most African brands: buying leathers in the markets, using locally sourced fabric and finding talented African Artisans. The more I dove into creating my brand the more I learned that a lot of what we were doing naturally in West Africa to create fashion, was sustainable and ethical.

The process to manufacture ethically and sustainably with African Artisans over the last several years has not been easy. There were some very very hard times where I wanted to throw in the towel and manufacture in China. However, I just could not bring myself to do it. My tenacity and core desire to create on the continent; would always remind me of the Howard Motto: truth and service. When times get tough and obstacles are thrown my way, it is my core beliefs and purpose for my brand that pull me through. Any Howard Alumni that ever walked the yard has lived by this, and I strongly believe a lot of their success is tied to this motto.

During this Black History Month, I am reminded of the Black Excellence that has come from Howard University. This includes: Thurgood Marshall, Ossie Davis, Sean ‘P.Diddy’ Combs, Anthony Anderson, Chadwick Boseman (the Black Panther), Zora Neal Hurston, Toni Morrison, Phylicia Rashād, and Kamala Harris (the first Black, Asian and Woman to be the Vice President of the United States), just to name a few. All these fellow alumni lived or live purposeful lives that created change and/or gave back in one or the other to their communities. I must confess this is my goal with Leyelesi to create a sustainable and ethical brand that supports and uplifts Artisans while showcasing black traditions, and making the world a better place one bag at a time.

As Leyelesi grows, I will continue to push through the trails and tribulations of creating a sustainable and ethical brand in West Africa. I strongly believe in showing the world, that African artisans do create beautiful luxury pieces. I want to contribute to the legacy of black excellence from Howard no matter how big or small. I am aware that being by being a black designer often times our names may be left out of the conversation, but I know in the end an impact will be made, it is the Howard way.

In short, this black history month I remember my promise to live a life of truth and service, of purpose and of positive impact. I aim to build a reputable Black Sustainable Fashion Brand that leaves a positive impact with artisans, continuing the legacy of black excellence.

Aghogho Ogunlesi
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