OUR STORY- D'IYANU

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 to make the clothes for you — a common, efficient, and inexpensive practice in Africa, but the exact opposite in the US. That’s when the idea for D'IYANU emerged.

Although I didn’t have a design background, I felt a deep desire to make a meaningful impact in the world, and help others express themselves through bold African-inspired clothing.

I launched D’IYANU in 2014 from my studio apartment in King of Prussia, PA with only six styles for women—one blouse, two dresses, and three skirts. Five months later, I’d quit my job and committed to D’IYANU full time. In 2016, my brother Dara joined as President, and his support and contributions have been invaluable in making us what we are today.

As a 100% black owned business, we proudly support the culture that inspires us, expanding our manufacturing in Africa and continuing to build stronger ties to the community.

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 NAME

The loose translation of D’IYANU (dee-ya-nu) is “of or from [something] wonderful,” reminding us 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 the Nigerian language, Yoruba. The blending of the two languages also signifies the blending of the two cultures which define the brand: African and European.

OUR VISION

To empower people to express themselves in a unique way

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.

One of our long-term visions is to bring positive change to Africa’s textile industry. D’IYANU is building partnerships with African-owned fabric and garment manufacturers to develop exclusive prints and clothing. My goal is to have a real, and lasting influence back home by producing primarily in Africa.