Founded in 2019 by British Nigerian designer Michelle Adepoju, Kilentar has swiftly become one of fashion’s most inspiring voices in sustainable luxury womenswear. The brand blends contemporary design with the rich tapestry of West African heritage, weaving ancient techniques with modern silhouettes to create garments that are at once elegant, meaningful, and deeply rooted in craft. Kilentar strikes a balance where tradition dialogues with innovation, where femininity is both celebrated and reimagined, and where every piece feels like a cultural artefact reinterpreted for today’s woman.
Femininity as Cultural Expression
At the heart of Kilentar’s design philosophy is a devotion to shape, texture and story. The brand’s collections play with form… corset-like bodices, flowing maxi dresses, hand-woven fabrics and intricate beading… all infused with a refined elegance that honours African aesthetics without confining them to stereotype. Each piece underscores a thoughtful union of structural finesse and graceful lines, creating clothing that looks timeless yet distinctively contemporary.
Materials and techniques tell an equally compelling narrative. Traditional dyeing and weaving methods are meticulously preserved and often repurposed into garments that feel both grounded and luxurious. In every stitch, there is a celebration of skill, heritage and the feminine form… not simply as body adornment, but as cultural expression.
“Kí lẹ̀ ń tà?” — More Than a Name
The name Kilentar comes from the Yoruba phrase “Kí lẹ̀ ń tà?” meaning “What are you selling?”, a nod to the vibrant markets of Southwestern Nigeria where culture and commerce intertwine. It is both literal and symbolic: an invitation to engage, to inquire, and to discover what lies beneath each carefully crafted garment.
This question, simple yet evocative, reflects Kilentar’s ethos… fashion that opens conversations about identity, heritage and belonging.
Artisanal Collaboration as Craft Preservation
Kilentar’s impact extends beyond its silhouettes. Michelle Adepoju developed the brand through close collaboration with skilled artisans from across West Africa, sourcing traditional fabrics, hand-wovens and hand-dyed materials from markets and workshops in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and beyond. These partnerships not only elevate craft, but sustain it, ensuring that time-honoured techniques are preserved and reimagined in contemporary form.
Each garment becomes a testament to shared history and collective narratives… stories woven into cloth, shaped by craftsmanship, and worn with pride.
Runways and Recognition
Kilentar’s voice has already resonated on global stages. The brand presented its Spring/Summer 2025 collection titled “Mama Ìbẹ́ta” at The Green Show during New York Fashion Week, showcasing environmentally respectful design and ethical production values. This exposure positions Kilentar not only as an ambassador for African craftsmanship, but as a leader in sustainable luxury fashion.
Although still young, Kilentar has received attention from influential fashion circles and platforms that spotlight rising talent, cementing its place in conversations about the future of African luxury.
Sustainability through Intention
Kilentar champions sustainability not as a buzzword, but as practice. The brand embraces circular design principles and ethical production, favouring limited-edition pieces that honour quality over quantity. Traditional dyes, hand-woven textiles and mindful material sourcing define collections that respect both people and planet.
By grounding its creative process in reverence for craft and longevity, Kilentar counters fast fashion’s fleeting pace with garments meant to be treasured.
Why Kilentar Matters
• Culturally rooted: drawing from Yoruba heritage and wide-ranging West African craft traditions.
• Narrative-driven: each collection tells a story of place, people and cultural memory.
• Artisanal empowerment: deep collaboration with weavers, dyers and makers across the continent.
• Sustainably thoughtful: committed to ethical practices, circular design and meaningful production.
Kilentar is not just a fashion label. It is a movement that honours where we come from while shaping how we wear heritage into the future. In a global fashion landscape hungry for authenticity, the brand responds with garments that are soulful, grounded and exquisitely crafted… clothes that invite the wearer into an experience of self, culture and story.
