Introducing: Busayo

April 26, 2023By Dress Boston

Busayo Olupona was raised in a small village in Nigeria where her parents grew up. Her family moved to the United States when Olupona was 12. It wasn't easy for her to blend in as a teenager in California. Her hair, the way she spoke, and of course her clothing made Olupona stand out. She would soon adapt to the style around her. It wasn't until years later, when she was a lawyer in New York City, that she found herself longing to wear the bright colors, bold patterns, and beautiful textiles from the land she called home throughout her youth. Olupano decided that if she couldn't easily access the clothing she wanted to wear, she would make it herself.

Over a decade later, this Brooklyn-based lawyer-turned-designer stays true to her roots with her stunning, eponymous clothing line made using hand-dyed prints in a Nigerian tradition called Adire. Supporting the community where she grew up by providing jobs for local artisans in Nigeria gives Olupona great motivation and joy.

To date, highlights of Olapuno's career include being featured in Vogue, receiving a call from Natalie Massenet of Net-a-Porter requesting a handmade dress for an event, and being worn by celebrities including Madonna, Keke Palmer, and Lupita N'yong, just to name a few. Busayo's African design aesthetic has decidedly found its place in American fashion.

We are very pleased to introduce Busayo NYC at Dress. Below are images of the new pieces we are carrying this season. Shop the new Spring 2023 collection here.

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