This Meghan Markle-Approved Nigerian Brand Is All About Empowering Women

Reference: Visit website

When Oríré Aleshinloye logged on to Instagram to see a photo of Meghan Markle wearing one of her eponymous brand's dresses while attending a Women in Leadership event in Abuja, Nigeria last weekend, she couldn't believe it. "It was surreal," the Lagos-based designer tells Vogue via Zoom. "It means so much. Everything she stands for is in such alignment with the brand."

Aleshinloye got to experience the Meghan effect first hand: interest was so high following her appearance in the red "Dire" dress that Oríré's website crashed. Now back up and running, the brand is taking pre-orders for the style, which actually featured in its very first collection back in 2021. "We create timeless pieces that you can wear from season to season," the designer explains.

Indeed, the slip dress, with its ruffled hemline, is a perfect example of Oríré's feminine creations, which also include ruched dresses in midnight blue, hot pink and lemon yellow. "It's elegant, fun, vibrant, colourful," the designer – who started making clothes from a young age, before studying for a Master's degree in fashion business at the British School of Fashion – says.

As for what's next, Aleshinloye says she wants to "keep doing what we we're doing", while also expanding further internationally (Oríré is currently available via Nordstrom in the US and is looking for a UK stockist). "[I want] to create beautiful clothes, social impact, and support women," she adds. With Meghan's seal of approval, the future is certainly looking bright.