Fashion is my calling, not a business – Lisa Folawiyo

Growing up in the vibrant environment of Victoria Island, Lagos, fashion designer Lisa Folawiyo cherishes childhood memories filled with a unique sense of freedom, community, and play. Living in the residential quarters of the Federal Palace Hotel, where her father worked, provided her with access to amenities and a close-knit community of families. These formative years, spent outdoors and immersed in discovery, have even inspired some of her fashion collections.

Later, after a fire destroyed their home, the family moved to Ikoyi, where life continued with bicycle rides and outdoor activities. Folawiyo contrasts this era with the present, noting a significant shift in the sense of security and community, though she values the enduring spirit of connection.

The path to fashion was not a direct one. Folawiyo studied Law at the University of Lagos and pursued the profession after qualifying. However, after about a year of practice, she realized that law did not align with her creative aspirations and artistic nature. This realization prompted a significant career shift towards fashion, a decision she describes as pursuing a more authentic expression of herself.

She acknowledges that leaving the predictability of law for fashion, especially when the industry held less prestige, was a significant decision. While her family's reaction is not fully detailed in the provided text, Folawiyo implies a thoughtful transition, emphasizing her gratitude for her legal education while pursuing a path that felt more aligned with her true self.