In Conversation With Women
"BUSAYO OLUPONA Meet Busayo Olupona, Fashion Designer—Lawyer—Book Worm—Cat Mommy—Soon-To-Be Badass Boxer. She's one of the most interesting women you'll meet, someone with a multi-hyphenate that's not a list of past and present, but a run down of who she is all at once. (Yes, she's a designer and a practicing lawyer—and is typically reading 2-3 books at a time.) She's also incredibly inspiring. Busayo the brand has introduced traditional Nigerian textiles to a global audience, and continues to illustrate in the most beautiful way the power of vibrant color to communicate self-expression. Every textile and garment is produced in Nigeria, something that truly has the power to transform lives. We stopped by her New York studio to get to know her better, and can't wait for you to meet her here."
Shop The Story

  • Laoye Printed Midi Dress, MULTI, hi-res

    INTERMIX ONLY

    Busayo Laoye Printed Midi Dress
    $525
  • Mira Braided Leather Buckle Belt, BEIGE, hi-res
    B-Low The Belt Mira Braided Leather Buckle Belt
    $195
  • Iris Light Rainbow Bracelet, MULTI, hi-res

    ONLINE ONLY

    Anni Lu Iris Light Rainbow Bracelet
    $80
  • Ade Tie-Dyed Cotton Slip Dress, MULTI, hi-res
    Busayo Ade Tie-Dyed Cotton Slip Dress
    $435
SHOP THE EDIT
" Q&A WITH BUSAYO What are the first three things you do each morning? Take several deep breaths (from the belly), coffee, and meditate—in that order What podcast are you currently listening to? Hard to pick just one—Insights at the Edge with Tami Simon is my absolute favorite. Top three artists on your Spotify right now? Older Nigerian artists King Sunny Ade, Shina Peters, and an amazing gospel singer, Tope Alabi Who/what was your biggest influence? My lineage: My parents and grandparents are teachers/preachers. The opportunity to amplify traditional Yoruba culture and weave in cultural deep dives with the experience and storytelling around clothing has been the biggest gift. Outside of my family, the work of James Baldwin has probably had the most profound and singular influence on me. His work gave me the language and the container to deeply understand this country and his fiction gave me the freedom and courage to become an artist. What are three qualities you admire most in others? Ability and courage to live according to the beat of their own drum, patience and tenacity What is your greatest strength? Tenacity What is your mantra or favorite quote? ""Be still and know that I am God. "" What are you most passionate about? I’m currently passionate about the possibility to transform lives and create opportunity through true economic development. Nigeria is an amazing country with immense possibility, and yet due to corruption and mismanagement of resources, the level of extreme poverty is astounding. So to create a company that allows greater economic opportunity for the amazing entrepreneurs that I work with in Nigeria has been the greatest motivator. What's one thing people may not know about you? I have boxed for over 15 years. I absolutely hate watching boxing but I love doing it. What has been a catalyst moment in your life and what impact did it have? Our immigration to America is the singular most defining moment of my life and everything can really be divided into the before and after. Busayo the brand was born out of the fissures that immigration left and my intense desire to reconnect with my culture. I wouldn't be who I am without the blessings that this country has conferred despite the many challenges. What are you doing when you feel you're making a difference? Connecting with people, sharing what I have learned from all the books I read, my mistakes and my victories, trying to be present for people in my family and life What is the most important lesson you've learned thus far? That life is fleeting, that we are a constant work in progress, and it is never too late to make a pivot and live the life that you have dreamt of If you could go back and change one thing/moment in your life, what would it be? To inculcate and practice self-compassion at a much younger age. Self-compassion is critical to health and yet it is very difficult to put into practice. To learn to trust my own gut and live less from a place of regards for what people will think but rather a regard for myself, my desires and what my inner compass is telling me. "
" To the woman reading this, what message do you have? ""That we work to shed the things that are no longer working for us, that weren't of us or for us, that we might have taken on to survive, to get people to like us, to fit in. That we must slowly shed everything that is not us."""
Shop The Story

  • Holiday Shell Discs Bracelet, MULTI, hi-res
    SOLD OUT
    Anni Lu Holiday Shell Discs Bracelet
    $80
  • Puff Sleeve Tie-Dyed Crop Top, MULTI, hi-res

    ONLINE ONLY

    Busayo Puff Sleeve Tie-Dyed Crop Top
    $298
  • Artie Linen Wrap Trousers, WHITE, hi-res

    ONLINE ONLY

    Marissa Webb Artie Linen Wrap Trousers
    $498 $299
  • Eden Cube Acrylic Clutch Bag, PINK, hi-res
    SOLD OUT
    Cult Gaia Eden Cube Acrylic Clutch Bag
    $318
SHOP THE EDIT
DISCOVER MORE
MEET ELYSE FOX
MEET LINA BRADFORD
THE SUMMER ‘22 LOOKBOOK
California Cool