Omoyemi Akerele is a Nigerian fashion entrepreneur, creative director and industry leader. She is the founder of Style House Files and Lagos Fashion Week, platforms that promote African designers and support the growth of the continent’s fashion industry.

Profile Summary

Full name	Omoyemi Akerele
Date of birth	13 May 1978
Place of birth	Lagos, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
State of origin	N/A
Partner	Tokunbo Akerele
Children	Three daughters
Occupations	Fashion entrepreneur, creative director, stylist and industry adviser
Net worth	$1.5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Akerele was born and raised in Lagos. She studied Law at the University of Lagos and later earned a master’s degree in International Economic Law from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.

She began her career in law but later moved into fashion. Her early experience included styling, image consulting and working as a fashion editor at True Love West Africa.

Career

Omoyemi Akerele began her professional journey in law after studying at the University of Lagos and earning a master’s degree in International Economic Law from the University of Warwick. However, her passion for fashion eventually led her away from legal practice and into styling, fashion editing and creative direction.

She worked as a styling assistant and later became a senior style editor at True Love West Africa. She also co-founded Exclusive Styling with Bola Balogun, an agency that provided styling and image-consulting services for television and entertainment projects.

In 2008, Akerele founded Style House Files, a fashion business-development agency created to support African designers. Through the organisation, she has helped designers improve their branding, develop their businesses, reach new markets and gain international visibility.

She founded Lagos Fashion Week in 2011. The event has grown into one of Africa’s leading fashion platforms, connecting designers with buyers, journalists, investors, manufacturers and creative professionals. It has also helped introduce Nigerian designers to a wider global audience.

Beyond organising fashion shows, Akerele uses Lagos Fashion Week to promote training, mentorship, local production and business development. Her initiatives, including Green Access and Woven Threads, focus on sustainability, circular fashion, artisan development and the use of locally sourced materials.

Through her work, she has helped present African fashion as both a cultural force and an important part of economic development. She has also received international recognition for promoting a more sustainable and globally connected African fashion industry.

Personal Life

Akerele is married to Tokunbo Akerele, and they have three daughters. She keeps much of her family life private but has spoken about empowering women and encouraging girls to pursue their ambitions without limitation.

Net Worth

Omoyemi Akerele’s net worth is estimated at approximately ₦500 million, or about $1.3 million. Her income is thought to come from her leadership of Style House Files and Lagos Fashion Week, along with fashion consulting, creative direction, speaking engagements and other professional activities.

Awards and Honours

• 2025 Earthshot Prize: Lagos Fashion Week won the “Build a Waste-Free World” category for its work in sustainable fashion.
• TIME100 Climate 2025: Akerele was recognised for her contribution to climate-conscious fashion.
• Business of Fashion Global 500: She has been recognised as one of the influential figures shaping the global fashion industry.
• Outstanding Contribution to African Fashion: She received the honour at the 2014 African Fashion International Fashion Awards.
• Zero Non-Oil Ambassador for Nigeria: She received the recognition in 2021.
• Yale Climate Fellowship: She was recognised for her work at the intersection of fashion, sustainability and climate action.