053. Perseverance, Perspective, and Overcoming The Need For Perfection In Fashion With Creative Director Kanyinsola Onalaja

On Episode 53 of The Manic Metallic Podcast, I had a fun, value-packed conversation with Onalaja creative director Kanyinsola Onajala.

Here’s a peek into some of what we talked about:

• What Kanyinsola learned about fashion from her personal experiences in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and Italy
• Her pointers on getting into fashion for folks that have not (or did not) natively come from — or attend school in — an area rich with fashion history and culture
• Her experiences in working with British designers Christopher Kane and Giles Deacon
• The personal reason that Kanyinsola is so devoted to size inclusivity in her work with Onalaja
• The advantages of running a made-to-order design brand
• Initiatives that she’s seen in the British fashion industry to combat sustainability issues in fashion
• Inspiration for Onalaja’s latest collection, which is also the 10th anniversary collection
• And a lot more!

Kanyinsola Onalaja is a Nigerian-born, London- and Rome- educated fashion designer, creative director, and visionary entrepreneur shaping the future of African luxury. As the founder of her namesake brand Onalaja, she has earned global recognition for her ability to fuse traditional African craftsmanship with modern, high-fashion sensibilities creating immersive, three-dimensional pieces that transcend borders and redefine contemporary elegance.

A graduate of Istituto Marangoni, with advanced training in 3D pattern cutting in Rome, Kanyinsola has honed her expertise with renowned fashion houses including Christopher Kane and Giles Deacon Couture, and worked as a luxury embroidery specialist in London and Paris. Since launching Onalaja, she has scaled it into an internationally stocked label with a presence at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Revolve, Zalando, and Industrie Africa.

Under her leadership, Onalaja has become a symbol of slow, inclusive luxury, producing ethically crafted garments in sizes XXS to XXXXL, while championing sustainability and individuality.

Her designs have been worn by icons including Jennifer Hudson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Camila Coelho, Chloe Bailey, Kelly Rowland, Lizzo, Tiwa Savage, and Kandi Burruss, and showcased on global stages like New York Fashion Week and Lagos Fashion Week. The brand has been spotlighted by Vogue, Essence, Harper’s Bazaar, and the Business of Fashion, with Kanyinsola recognized as a Vogue Talents “One to Watch” and a recipient of the UN Global Top 100 Under 40 of African Descent.

Beyond the runway, Kanyinsola is a strategic thinker and industry leader committed to building a business rooted in cultural storytelling, community empowerment, and innovative design. She is part of a bold new generation of African women redefining what it means to lead in global fashion.

London Recommendations

Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum https://www.vam.ac.uk/

Check out Carnaby Street https://www.thisissoho.co.uk/carnaby-street/

Go to Shoreditch for art galleries, food, and fashion (here’s an article that I found; seems useful: https://madeinshoreditch.co.uk/2025/01/04/best-vintage-shops-shoreditch/)

Onalaja (Website) https://onalaja.com/

Onalaja (Tiktok) https://www.tiktok.com/@onalajaofficial

Onalaja (Youtube) https://www.youtube.com/@onalajaofficial

Onalaja (Pinterest) https://uk.pinterest.com/OnalajaBrand/

Onalaja (Linkedin) https://www.linkedin.com/company/onalaja/

https://app.redcircle.com/shows/11d2b542-f3b4-4462-b85e-5708034cb823/donations

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