Lagos’s Ultracool Design

Danny Perez

Known for its ultracool designs, Lagos’s most popular luxury concept store, Alára, will be running a pop-up shop at the Brooklyn Museum in the USA until October.

The Africa-first store will be displaying locally made products from over 100 brands from over 20 African countries at the shop, introducing the US clientele to the best of the best in African design, from clothing to accessories and home decor.

The pop-up will form part of the museum’s Africa Fashion at the Museum exhibition “in partnership with the institution, as a way to bring style perspectives from Africa and the diaspora to New York,” explains the museum.

Founded by Reni Folawiyo, an entrepreneur and tastemaker, in 2015, the store has had tremendous success over the past years, building a huge cult following of fashionistas, style makers and lovers of African design.

Popular both at home and abroad, Alára is seen as a cornerstone of the cultural scene in Lagos today.

Today, the shop, which can be found in a Sir David Ajaye-designed building in buzzing Lagos, is home to a veritable collection of fashion and art from local makers as well as international brands such as Kenneth Ize, Post Imperial and Thebe Magugu, influenced by the African diaspora.

For the US exhibition, guests can look forward to shopping some of Africa’s most forward fashion designs, including pieces by Lafalaise Dion and Tongoro, who are known for their cowrie work and exquisite tailoring, as well as items from Ami Doshi Shab, Dye Lab, Luar and more.

Danny Perez

“We’re excited for audiences in the US to interact with the work of accomplished creatives in Africa and across the diaspora, and for this incredible community to build pathways for collaboration, exploration and a celebration of style with New Yorkers,” said Folawiyo.

“When I founded Alára nearly a decade ago, our vision was to create a space to celebrate, elevate, and educate the world about African design, to showcase and support creative excellence across the African continent, and to serve as an authentic cultural platform.” 

And that’s exactly what Alára will be achieving through this unique collaboration.