High Fashion Streetwear
Kenneth Ize
Nigerian-Austrian Kenneth Ize launched his label at Lagos Fashion Week in 2013 with a singular ambition: drag aso oke — the handwoven cloth of Yoruba weddings — onto Paris runways. He took a hiatus to finish an MA, relaunched in 2015, and by 2020 was opening Paris Fashion Week with Naomi Campbell in his finale. An LVMH Prize finalist, Karl Lagerfeld collaborator, and rare West African designer with weekly weaving cooperatives feeding directly into Paris production.
Where to Buy 2
Retailer list compiled from public information; actual availability may vary.
Timeline5
2013—2023·10 yrs
- 2013
Brand Founded in Lagos
Kenneth Ize launches his eponymous label after studying at the University of Applied Arts Vienna.
- 2019
LVMH Prize Finalist
Named a finalist for the LVMH Prize, bringing global spotlight to his handwoven Aso-Oke designs.
- 2020
Paris Fashion Week Debut
Debuts on the official Paris Fashion Week calendar with Naomi Campbell closing the show.
- 2021
Karl Lagerfeld Collaboration
Releases a collaborative collection with Karl Lagerfeld blending Nigerian craft with modern tailoring.
- 2023
Craft Continuity
Continues to scale artisan workshops in Ilorin, employing weavers to preserve Aso-Oke tradition.
