By Kunle Rasheed
There are moments when parents sit back and watch with pride as their children begin to write their own stories.
For Mogaji Wole Arisekola and his beautiful wife, it was one of such moments last night at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, as their daughter, Diekolola Arisekola, stepped into the spotlight at the Lagos Fashion Week.
The creative mind behind Holy One Fashion gave a good account of herself, bringing her distinct sense of style to one of the most celebrated fashion platforms in the country.
With her proud parents at the venue to cheer her on, Diekolola was not just another designer showing her collection. She was a young woman living her dream and steadily carving a space for herself in the competitive world of fashion.
And perhaps, what makes her story even more interesting is that Diekololaโs style is uniquely hers.
Her journey into the world of fashion took her to London, where she honed her creative talent at the world-renowned Central Saint Martins, one of the worldโs most respected institutions for art, design and fashion.
But while the prestigious school helped to sharpen her creative vision, Diekolola has returned to tell her own story.
She does not appear interested in following the crowd or borrowing an identity. There is a certain individuality in her creative expressionโa confidence that says fashion can be beautiful without losing its personality.
With Holy One Fashion, she is creating from her own imagination, giving expression to ideas that carry her own signature.
Last nightโs showing at the Lagos Fashion Week was, therefore, more than a walk on the runway. It was another statement of intent from a young designer who understands where she is coming from and appears to have a clear idea of where she is going.
Among those who witnessed the excitement at the event was Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was also present at the venue.
But for the Arisekola family, the evening must have meant something more personal.
There is a special kind of joy in watching your child stand on her own feet, chase her dreams and make you proud.
For Wole Arisekola and his wife, last night at the Federal Palace Hotel was one of those proud-parent moments.
And for Diekolola Arisekola, it was another step in a journey that is only just beginning.
With Holy One Fashion, she is creating her own pathโone idea, one design and one uniquely her style at a time.
ABOUT THE DESIGNERย
The Irish-born Nigerian designer, Diekola Arisekola holds a First Class degree from the University of Newcastle and a master’s degree in Fashion and Graphic Design with distinction from Central Saint Martins University in London.ย
Her label, HOLY ONE (part of her creative universe called Afrotopia), reinterprets African formalwear and traditional masculine dress codes through unique elements like sculpted/padded abs, exaggerated shoulders and collars, oversized silhouettes, and dramatic headwear.
Named a winner of the 2024 British Fashion Council and British Library Student Research Competition for a project inspired by Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
She showcased HOLY ONE on the runway during the October 31, 2026 session of Lagos Fashion Week, an accomplishment publicly celebrated by her father, Mogaji Wole Arisekola.
