Shaping the Next Generation: Blessing Eleh’s Vision as NSFDW 2025 Goodwill Ambassador

By Tosin Clegg

Blessing Eleh, the Creative Director and Founder of Bibi Lawrence, is the NSFDW 2025 Goodwill Ambassador and a proud 2014 cohort designerof the Nigerian Student Fashion and Design Week, where she showcased her work 11 years ago.

For the NSFDW team this appointment is one truly deserving of the designer where defining moments in her life has helped shaped her into the woman she is today. Growing up in Lagos in an Igbo household shaped me deeply, Blessing Eleh narrates. She added that, “Watching my parents work hard, holding on to values, faith, and culture while navigating a fast-paced city taught me resilience early on. Another defining moment was choosing fashion as a career when it wasn’t widely seen as a “serious” profession. Betting on myself, building Bibi Lawrence from the ground up, and becoming a mother while still pursuing my dreams all shaped my sense of discipline, empathy, and purpose.”
“The creative industry has shown me that culture is not static, it is living and evolving. Working with young creatives has reinforced how powerful storytelling can be when young people are given the right tools and confidence. It has also taught me that community is essential. No creative journey thrives in isolation. Growth happens faster and more sustainably when knowledge, opportunities, and platforms are shared.”

Platforms like NSFDW provide visibility, structure, and validation at a very critical stage in a designer’s journey. For many young designers, it is their first professional experience of showcasing, receiving feedback, and being seen beyond their immediate environment. NSFDW bridges the gap between raw talent and industry readiness, and that is incredibly important in a country filled with creative brilliance.

On becoming the Goodwill Ambassador for NSFDW 2025 she expressed that, “What excites me most is the opportunity to give back intentionally. NSFDW was part of my early journey, so this role feels full circle. Being able to mentor, advocate, and help open doors for young designers while representing a platform that genuinely nurtures talent is deeply meaningful to me.”

“I plan to be accessible and honest. I want to share both the wins and the challenges of building a creative career. Through mentorship, conversations around sustainability, craftsmanship, and global positioning, I hope to equip young creatives with practical knowledge and confidence. Most importantly, I want them to understand that their stories and cultural identities are strengths, not limitations.”

With the legacy NSFDW has set, Blessing hopes to leave within the fashion and creative ecosystem a one of integrity, excellence, and cultural pride. She added that, “I want to be remembered as someone who helped elevate African stories through fashion while creating pathways for others to grow. If younger designers feel encouraged to dream bigger and build sustainably because they saw it was possible, that would mean everything to me.”

“That consistency, purpose, and authenticity matter. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but when you stay true to your vision and commit to growth, your work will eventually find its place and its people.”

In line with her admirable successes so far she also showcased at Dallas Fashion Week which was a pivotal experience. It reaffirmed the global relevance of African fashion and storytelling. The audience reception was warm and curious, and it was fulfilling to see how Nigerian creativity translated on an international stage. Winning the Travel to Art Fashion Award for Best Designer during that showcase made the experience even more special and affirming.