From a young age, Jolaade Akanbi’s passion for fashion was undeniable. Growing up in a creative household, her mother could sew. she spent countless hours practicing with her mother’s hand-sewing machine and teaching herself how to use paper patterns to create unique outfits.
Her natural curiosity and creativity planted the seeds for a lifelong journey into fashion.
Despite her early love for design, Jolaade chose a more traditional academic and professional path, graduating from Obafemi Awolowo University with a degree in English.
She built a successful career in the banking sector in Nigeria before relocating to the United Kingdom in 2003 with her family, where she worked with Transport for London for several years up to a managerial level. However, the call of fashion never left her.
Determined to pursue her passion, Jolaade left the corporate world and returned to college to earn a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Fashion and Design. This pivotal decision reignited her creative spirit and paved the way for her dream of owning a fashion brand.
In 2019, she founded Jolzy Creation in the UK, showcasing her love for vibrant African fabrics and intricate designs. Driven by a deeper vision to celebrate African culture and heritage, she launched Jolaádé in 2021 in Nigeria —a bold and dynamic fashion label that seamlessly blends traditional African textiles with contemporary design elements to create unique outfits.
Jolaádé is more than just a fashion brand; it’s a celebration of her rich African heritage, craftsmanship, and artistry. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to reflect light, vibrancy, and the timeless beauty of African historical, social culture. With a commitment to high-quality craftsmanship and unique creations, Jolaade has positioned herself as a designer who caters to women seeking statement fashion that embodies cultural pride, modern elegance and absolute comfort on the wearer.
She has participated in quite a number of fashion exhibitions to showcase her collections.
Namely, The Fashion Finest, Epic exhibition in 2023 and she participated in the Runway show in 2024.
She attended well acclaimed BellaAfricana London, Fashion Souk London and in Lagos. Fashion Souk Global Ghana and the popular Ecobank Adire exhibition and many other exhibitions
Due to her expertise and contribution to the fashion and textiles industry, she was nominated to be a member of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) by the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON) of which she is an Associate member.
She is a member of the WIMBIZ Organisation (Women in Management, Business, and Public Service) which is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting women in leadership roles.
Today, Jolaade continues to bring her creative vision to life, inspiring women across the globe with wearable art that tells a story of tradition, identity, and sophistication. Through Jolaádé, she honors her heritage while empowering women to express themselves boldly and beautifully.
