How we’re redefining African luxury—Chinwendu Nwochiri

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Wendu Clothing, an Abuja-based fashion brand, has been spotlighted for its efforts in reviving Nigeria’s centuries-old Akwete fabric and reimagining it for contemporary luxury fashion.

The brand’s founder and creative director, Chinwendu Nwochiri, said that Wendu Clothing was established to preserve the heritage of Akwete weaving while transforming it into modern expressions of identity, pride, and artistry. She explained that the Akwete fabric — a handwoven textile from Abia State traditionally reserved for royalty and sacred ceremonies — is now gaining renewed relevance on both local and international fashion stages.

Nwochiri, who hails from Abia State but grew up in Zaria, Kaduna State, stated that her exposure to Nigeria’s cultural diversity inspired her creative vision. Though she studied Biochemistry, she said her passion for art and storytelling through clothing eventually led her to pursue a career in fashion design.

She described Akwete as “a living heritage” and emphasized that each thread woven into the fabric carries the legacy of women who have kept the art alive for generations. According to her, Wendu Clothing’s collections seek to balance tradition with modernity, presenting Akwete in contemporary styles ranging from traditional wedding attire to office and streetwear.

Nwochiri noted that the brand’s approach has helped position Akwete as one of Nigeria’s most distinctive cultural exports. She said that Wendu Clothing blends Akwete with materials such as silk, denim, cotton, and organza to create fusion designs that resonate across global fashion hubs like Lagos, London, Abuja, and Atlanta.

Beyond fashion, she stressed that the brand’s work supports female artisans in Abia State who weave the fabric. By incorporating their craftsmanship into high-end designs, she said, Wendu Clothing contributes to their empowerment and helps sustain a cultural tradition that might otherwise fade.

According to her, true luxury is not about excess but about meaning — and in this case, meaning is rooted in cultural pride and continuity. She described the brand’s mission as building a bridge between Nigeria’s past and future by “stitching legacy into modern style, one Akwete thread at a time.”

Nwochiri expressed hope that Akwete would one day be celebrated globally as a timeless emblem of African craftsmanship and excellence, not merely as an exotic textile. Through Wendu Clothing, she said, she aims to redefine what it means to be African in fashion — proud, bold, and authentically creative.