Omoyemi Akerele Named One of TIME’s 100 Climate Leaders: A Global Recognition for African Fashion and Sustainability

In a remarkable moment for African fashion, Omoyemi Akerele, Founder of Style House Files and Lagos Fashion Week, has been named one of TIME’s 100 Climate Leaders, a recognition that celebrates global figures driving meaningful climate action and sustainability within their industries.

As a leading voice in the African creative economy, Akerele has long championed a new narrative for fashion one where innovation meets responsibility. Through Lagos Fashion Week and her broader advocacy, she has continually emphasized the importance of sustainability, ethical production, and the empowerment of local artisans. Her vision has redefined what it means to create fashion from the African continent: not just for beauty or commerce, but as a vehicle for cultural preservation and environmental consciousness.

Over the years, Akerele has built platforms that celebrate design while nurturing the ecosystem that supports it.

From mentoring emerging designers to fostering collaborations that center African craftsmanship, her work bridges creativity and purpose. The recognition by TIME affirms what the continent has long known: that African fashion is not only expressive and vibrant, but also capable of leading the global conversation on climate-conscious innovation.

In her words, the acknowledgment is “encouraging but also a reminder that there is still so much work to do.” This humility captures the essence of Akerele’s leadership grounded in community, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to progress.

As the fashion industry continues to grapple with its environmental footprint, figures like Omoyemi Akerele stand as proof that sustainable practices and creative excellence can coexist and thrive together.

From Lagos to the world, this recognition is more than a personal milestone. It is a testament to Africa’s growing influence in shaping the global sustainability agenda.