A loose translation of "of or from [something] wonderful", a reminder that everyone is
uniquely and wonderfully made, and should dress to reflect that truth. The "D" means
"of" or "from" in French, while "IYANU" means "miracle" or "wonderful" in Yoruba. The
blend of two languages signifies the blend of the two cultures that define the brand:
African and European.
Our story
I was six years old when my family moved from Nigeria to the US. The transition was challenging, and I struggled to fit in. I felt different from everyone else, and spent many years trying to blend in.
But as I grew older, I embraced my uniqueness. Fashion became my form of self-expression and empowerment, and I found my individuality through clothing that helped me stand out from the crowd.
At the time, there was little to no ready to wear modern African-inspired clothing available in the mass market. Wearing African-inspired clothing typically involved sourcing fabric yourself and finding a tailor, a common efficient and inexpensive practice in Africa, but the exact opposite in the US. That's when the idea for D'IYANU emerged.
I launched D'IYANU in 2014 from my studio apartment with only six styles for women, one blouse, two dresses and three skirts. Five months later I quit my job and committed to D'IYANU full time. In 2016 my brother Dara joined as President, and his support has been invaluable in making us who we are today.
D'IYANU is a celebration of African culture, but not just for those with African heritage. It's a way to be bold, be proud and express yourself, whoever you are.
Our Vision
I'm always thinking of the D'IYANU customer, from the design
and construction of our clothes to the accessibility of our fashions
and excellent customer service. I consider who embraces
D'IYANU fashions: not just people of Black descent, but everyone
who appreciates African culture and enjoys wearing bold,
beautiful prints.
BE BOLD. BE PROUD. EXPRESS YOURSELF.
