Abah Folawiyo, affectionately known as Sisi Abah, transformed Nigeria’s fashion scene in the 1970s and 1980s with a vision rooted in cultural pride and contemporary flair. She launched Labanella Creations in the late 1970s, a pioneering label that reimagined Ankara prints and traditional Nigerian silhouettes for the modern woman.

Labanella quickly gained recognition as a standard-bearer for African fashion, with its bold designs showcased in London, Paris, New York, and across West Africa. The 1986 ‘Labanella Goes Ecowest’ tour further cemented its regional influence. Folawiyo’s pursuit of accessible elegance and championing of indigenous textiles earned her numerous fashion awards across Africa.