Gloria Bamigbola is the founder of YEMIISI, a womenswear brand rooted in African heritage and modern femininity. With degrees in Education and Psychology, she’s passionate about empowering women through style and self-development.
Over the past two years, the fast-rising brand has earned growing recognition across Nigeria, the UK, the US and Canada. Bamigbola also leads Project Black Barbie, a social impact initiative supporting female university students from single-parent households. She believes that in an industry where women are the primary stakeholders, true empowerment means giving back with purpose.
In this interview, she takes us through the journey of Homage and what it represents for her brand.
What does HOMAGE represent for YEMIISI?
HOMAGE is a tribute to longing, to home, to heritage and to the freedom of self-expression. It represents my personal journey of balancing two worlds: living in the UK yet deeply rooted in Nigerian culture. This collection is about merging those identities and reimagining what African fashion can look like for a global audience.
What makes HOMAGE different from your past works?
This collection takes YEMIISI’s vision further, combining traditional Aso Oke, intricate embroidery, and modern tailoring in a way we haven’t done before. In a market where African fashion often leans either too traditional or too trend-driven, YEMIISI offers a rare balance: culturally rooted, luxury-ready pieces designed for the multidimensional global woman. These are not “costume-like” cultural pieces, but transformative silhouettes that command attention on any global stage.
Talk a bit about your design process for this collection?
My process is intuitive and deeply spiritual. I actually pray over my designs. There are moments when I feel stuck, unsure if a detail should go one way or another, and I take a step back to pray for clarity. I also draw from my surroundings and experiences. For HOMAGE, I visited art galleries and museums in London and Paris, observed nature while traveling, and soaked in cultural environments that spark new ideas. Sometimes I even reimagine sketches or pieces I designed a decade ago, reworking them into something entirely fresh. Above all, I value authenticity. Fashion is often iterative; a top is a top, a skirt is a skirt, but I push myself to create something distinct. I refuse to copy because I believe this gift God gave me is good enough for the world. That belief allows me to walk the harder, narrower path of originality. It’s riskier than chasing trends, but it sets YEMIISI apart.
Who is the HOMAGE woman?
She’s confident, multidimensional, and bold. She isn’t afraid of making an entrance, but she also appreciates craftsmanship and meaning in her clothes. HOMAGE is for the woman who understands that fashion is a language and she uses it to tell her story unapologetically.
What’s next for YEMIISI?
We are expanding our presence in the UK, with HOMAGE launching across Lagos and London. Beyond the collection, I’m continuing to grow Project Black Barbie, which supports young women with their educational goals. YEMIISI may be fashion, but at its core, it’s also about impact.
With HOMAGE, every piece is more than an outfit; it’s a conversation starter, a statement of identity and ancinvestment in timeless style.
