< Back to all entries & Profiles
User Omosalewa profile image

Omosalewa Ogunjimi

Self Employed

Shallyblaq

My name is Omosalewa Ogunjimi, and I am the founder and creative director of SHALLYBLAQ. Fashion has been part of my life from a very young age. Growing up, I was captivated by sewing and the magic of transforming fabrics into something beautiful. After high school, I dedicated a gap year to learning tailoring, which laid the foundation for my journey into fashion. I later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion and Accessories Design in China, and recently pursued a Master’s degree in Fashion Design and Management at the Milano Fashion Institute in Italy. Although I faced financial challenges completing the program, the experience enriched my design perspective and strengthened my resolve to succeed in the fashion industry. With SHALLYBLAQ, I bring my lifelong passion to life—creating handcrafted couture pieces that celebrate individuality, beauty, and the powerful stories every woman carries.

Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
← →
x

Exuvia

Category: Apparel

Competitions: Africa

EXUVIA Concept Statement EXUVIA is a leather-focused collection inspired by the protective structures found in nature and the human body. Drawing from the spine, ribcage, and the process of molting, the collection explores themes of protection, adaptation, and transformation. Using cowhide leather as the primary material, the collection reimagines leather as a structural element rather than surface decoration. Through articulated paneling, modular construction, and transformable components, each garment demonstrates how leather can provide both protection and movement while maintaining contemporary wearability. EXUVIA celebrates resilience, growth, and the ability to evolve, presenting innovative leather garments that balance craftsmanship, functionality, and modern luxury. Inspiration The inspiration for EXUVIA comes from biological structures that protect and support life. The human spine and ribcage provide strength, balance, and protection, while the natural process of molting allows organisms to shed restrictive outer layers and grow. These systems became a metaphor for personal evolution and resilience. Just as living organisms adapt through transformation, the garments within EXUVIA are designed to evolve through modular and detachable elements that allow multiple ways of wearing and experiencing each piece. The collection translates these natural structures into contemporary leather forms, creating wearable pieces that embody strength, protection, and renewal.

Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
Lightbox zoom button
← →
x

Unburnt

Category: Apparel

Competitions: Africa

Unburnt is a contemporary fashion collection inspired by the legendary Yoruba queen, Moremi Ajasoro of Ile-Ife. A woman remembered for her bravery, sacrifice, and strategic defiance in the face of oppression. This collection reimagines her story for the modern age, transforming her legacy into wearable symbols of resilience, feminine strength, and cultural pride. Each design in Unburnt reflects six symbolic motifs from Moremi’s journey: • Water – her divine connection to the Esimirin river goddess. • Hope – for the peace and restoration she brought back to Ile-Ife. • Cowries – representing wealth, femininity, and ancestral guidance. • Defense – the strategy and cunning she used to protect her people. • Fire and cycle of life- the transformative force through which she triumphed. Sustainability is embedded in every element of this collection. Upcycled cowhide leather, a byproduct of the food industry, is repurposed to reduce waste and honor its natural strength and texture. Raffia, a renewable palm fiber, adds softness and authenticity while supporting traditional craftsmanship. Cotton voile and metallic thread accents are consciously selected for their biodegradability or recyclability. Yoruba Adire motifs are hand-applied using low-impact techniques, deepening the spiritual narrative and reinforcing indigenous design practices. Unburnt champions slow fashion, emphasizing storytelling, timelessness, and emotional connection over trend-driven cycles. Each garment is not just worn it is lived in, remembered, and passed on. This collection is a tribute to cultural endurance, environmental respect, and the unwavering spirit of women who rise and not destroyed by the fire, but defined by it.

In association with Arts Thread

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.