How Tunde Felix Akinbiyi is putting Nigerian streetwear on global map
In an industry increasingly shaped by the global influence of African creativity, Nigerian fashion designer Tunde Felix Akinbiyi, founder and Creative Director of STZ., is building a distinctive identity through contemporary streetwear that combines African cultural influences with modern design and production.
Akinbiyi has built his career around fashion design, creative direction and garment production. His work extends beyond the creation of individual pieces to include collection development, brand identity, production oversight and creative direction.
Through STZ., he has developed collections that reflect his approach to contemporary African fashion, while also working with other brands and clients on the design and production of garments. His involvement spans the process from the initial creative concept through design development and production, allowing him to maintain direct oversight of the quality and visual identity of each project.
One notable development in Akinbiyi’s career has been his growing connection with the international fashion market. His work has included a collaboration with a UK-based fashion brand, for which he contributed to the development and production of a collection. He designed and developed the garments, coordinated their production in Nigeria and shipped the completed pieces to the United Kingdom for the client’s approval and subsequent use.
For Akinbiyi, the process represents more than simply producing clothing for an overseas client. It demonstrates the ability of Nigerian-based fashion professionals to participate directly in international creative and commercial projects while maintaining a distinct African design perspective.
His creative work has also seen him participate in fashion events, runway presentations and industry-related activities, providing opportunities to showcase his designs and engage with other professionals within the fashion ecosystem.
Akinbiyi’s work is particularly notable for the way he combines fashion design with creative direction. Rather than limiting his role to garment construction, he is involved in developing the broader visual language of his projects, including branding, styling, production and presentation.
This multidisciplinary approach has become an important part of the STZ. identity and reflects a wider generation of Nigerian designers seeking to position African fashion within a global contemporary context.
Beyond his own collections, Akinbiyi has contributed to the development of fashion projects for other brands, taking responsibility for design execution and production quality. His experience across these projects has enabled him to develop a practical understanding of the fashion business, from conceptual development to finished garments and international delivery.
His work has also been presented through visual campaigns and fashion photography, where he has participated both behind the creative process and, in some instances, as a model showcasing his own designs. This combination of designer and creative director roles has helped him communicate the complete vision behind his collections.
Akinbiyi believes the future of African fashion lies not only in celebrating African aesthetics but also in developing internationally competitive creative businesses from within the continent.
His ambition is therefore to continue developing STZ. while expanding his international collaborations and contributing to the wider fashion industry. His interest in the United Kingdom forms part of this ambition, particularly because of the country’s established fashion ecosystem and its position as an international centre for fashion, design and creative industries.
As Nigerian designers continue to attract increasing international attention, Akinbiyi represents a generation of creatives building their careers through a combination of design, entrepreneurship, production and international collaboration.
With STZ. as the platform for his creative vision, his work demonstrates an ongoing effort to establish a recognisable contemporary African fashion identity while connecting Nigerian fashion production with opportunities beyond the country’s borders.
