How This Legendary Fashion Designer Mothered a Generation of Trans Nigerians

Did Fola impact your perception or understanding of transgender rights in any way?

Before I met Fola, I did not personally know any trans people. Of course I was very much aware that they existed, but I did not know anybody personally until I met her. I was able to learn a bit more about what their experiences are like, and what it means to be a trans person.

I learned a lot about the struggle, and what it means to survive in a very anti-queer society like ours, and she gave me a deeper appreciation and resolve for trans people, generally, and being true to oneself in the society.

Were there any memorable events or milestones in Fola’s life that stand out to you?

Yes, of course. She was and still remains one of the first trans people to walk on the Lagos Fashion Week runway. You can understand that the Nigerian fashion industry is very closed-off. It’s very contradictory as well, in the sense that even though certain fashion designers, the clothes they make, and the people who work behind the scene are very likely queer, the faces of the brand are often not allowed to present as queer in that way. So you find that a lot of openly queer voices and designers tend to be shut down.

To have had Fola walk on the runway was such a huge shift in perception, and it was incredible for that moment. Also, just her setting up her initiative for trans people, or just being a good friend, I’d say is one of her biggest achievements.

Liber (they/them), a member of Dolls Activities

How would you describe your relationship with Fola?

I really see it as a mother-child relationship, to be honest. I remember in June last year for the Pride in Lagos ball, she was going to walk for the “Mother of the Year” category, and she asked me to introduce her, and I did the entire introduction for her. I think that’s when we started establishing the whole mother-child relationship, and it really grew from there.

She would randomly invite me to her place for dinner, and would call every time she found out that things were happening with me. I remember when I had an accident last year, I tweeted about it, and she called me immediately. She constantly checked up on me. From our first interaction to the last few ones we had, there was so much growth in the relationship in itself.