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Bellafricana published in The African Lifestyle Experience (TALES), Uncategorized

Style Envie at TALES 2026: Timeless Fashion for Modern Women

You know that thing that happens when someone stops you mid-stride, mid-conversation, mid-anything, just to ask “where did you get that”? That’s not a compliment. That’s a brand being born and the wearer doesn’t even know it yet.

That’s exactly how Style Envie started, and it’s exactly the energy you can expect from Style Envie at TALES 2026 this summer in London.

Meet Kasie Udeichi & The Story Behind Style Envie

Kasie Udeichi is the founder of Style Envie, a ready-to-wear house built for the kind of woman who wants her clothes to do some of the talking for her. Modern. The kind of pieces you can build a whole personality around.

But before any of that had a name, it was just Kasie, designing outfits for herself for special occasions because off-the-rack never quite felt like hers.

“I’ve always loved fashion and expressing myself through style,” she says. “I wanted to create pieces that make women feel confident, elegant, and effortlessly put together, without breaking a bank.”

“Style Envie was born from a very personal place,” she explains. “Before launching the brand, I often designed outfits for myself for special occasions because I wanted pieces that felt unique and reflected my personal style. Whenever I wore them, people would stop me to ask where I got them from.”

Picture the scene. An event. An outfit nobody else in the room is wearing. Someone leans over and asks the question. Then someone else does. Then it happens again at the next event, and the one after that.

That’s not a coincidence. That’s a pattern. And patterns are how brands get born.

“What started as a desire to create beautiful pieces for myself quickly evolved into a brand,” she says, “after realizing there were many women looking for the same balance.”

That’s the whole brand, really. Built from a wardrobe that worked, then shared with everyone who asked.

Kasie Udeichi – Founder, Style Envie

What Style Envie Is Really About

Style Envie isn’t chasing trends, and it says so plainly. As the brand puts it, trends come and go, but true style is and should be enduring.

Kasie designs for the modern woman. Her lifestyle, her confidence, her quiet refusal to disappear into the crowd. “Our ability to blend simplicity with bold femininity,” she says, “pieces that are timeless but still make a statement,” is what sets the brand apart globally.

It’s a careful balance. Not loud for the sake of being loud. Not quiet to the point of forgettable. Just exactly enough of both.

“I want her to feel seen, celebrated, and comfortable in her own individuality,” Kasie says of the women who wear Style Envie. Confidence first. Elegance close behind. Everything else follows.

Style Envie: Confidence, Elegance & Comfort

What’s Coming From Style Envie at TALES 2026

Now here’s where it gets exciting for anyone planning to be in that room.

Style Envie recently launched a new collection, but TALES 2026 is getting something even rarer: exclusive previews and brand-new pieces that haven’t been unveiled to the public anywhere else.

“Visitors will have exclusive first access to unreleased Style Envie Summer 2026 designs before anyone else,” Kasie says. That’s not marketing language. That’s a literal first look, in one room, before the rest of the world sees a single piece.

For Kasie, TALES is bigger than the showcase itself. “TALES represents an exciting opportunity to connect with our international community and bring the Style Envie experience directly to our customers abroad,” she explains. It’s a chance to finally meet, in person, the women who’ve only known the brand from a distance.

Why You Shouldn’t Skip Style Envie at TALES 2026

If you’ve ever been the person someone stopped to ask, “Where did you get that?” you already understand the appeal of Style Envie. If you’ve ever been the one asking, even better, because Style Envie at TALES 2026 is your chance to get the answer first.

“It’s an opportunity to experience the craftsmanship, quality, and femininity that define our brand,” Kasie says, “while discovering pieces designed to make every woman feel confident, elegant, and unforgettable.”

Unreleased pieces. One room. London, this summer.

Shop Style Envie at TALES 2026: July 25 – 26 & August 08

Experience Style Envie:
Follow on Instagram: @styleenvie
Learn more about Bellafricana: bellafricana.com
Register for TALES 2026: tales.bellafricana.co.uk

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Bellafricana published in The African Lifestyle Experience (TALES), Uncategorized

Austine Mali at TALES 2026: Sustainable African Fashion in London

Some fashion brands start with a sketch. Austine Mali started with a question: how do you let your own culture live in the present without losing its soul? That question is exactly what’s coming to Austine Mali at TALES 2026 this summer in London.

Austine Mali’s Afro-Western aesthetic.

Meet Uche Onyemali, the Creative Director Behind Austine Mali

Uche Onyemali is a Nigerian software engineer based in the UK, and the Creative Director of Austine Mali. Two worlds that don’t usually share a sentence, but somehow they share his week.

“I love the balance of building software and designing clothes that honor my heritage,” he says. “For me, fashion is a celebration of identity, and I’m passionate about creating pieces that help every wearer feel like their truest self.”

It’s an unusual path into fashion, but maybe that’s exactly why Austine Mali doesn’t look like anything else on the rack. A precise mind, applied to something that’s supposed to feel free.

Uche Onyemali – Founder, Austine Mali

Bridging Two Continents Through What You Wear

The idea behind Austine Mali is simple to say and hard to actually pull off: let African heritage sit right alongside high-street and luxury fashion, not as a separate category, but as part of the same wardrobe.

“My vision for Austine Mali is to let African heritage sit right alongside those classic pieces,” Uche explains, “sometimes complementing them, sometimes standing out as something entirely new. I love the idea of two continents coming together through what we wear.”

That’s the whole philosophy, really. Not African fashion as a niche. African fashion as part of the room.

The brand works in textiles with real weight behind them — Adire, Aso Oke, Akwete — woven into contemporary silhouettes that wouldn’t feel out of place on a London high street or a Lagos runway. Sustainability sits underneath all of it, not as a label but as the actual method. Slow fashion, ethical production, low impact. Not a trend Austine Mali is chasing, but the way the brand has chosen to work since the beginning.

A contemporary look rooted in African heritage.

The Collection Made From What Was Almost Thrown Away

Here’s the part of the Austine Mali story that says more about the brand than any tagline could.

Somewhere along the way, someone looked at a pile of leftover fabric and off-cuts, the scraps every fashion house ends up with, and decided they deserved better than the bin. That decision became the One of One collection.

Each piece is built entirely from those leftover materials. Not a design choice made for effect, but a direct result of refusing to waste what was already there. Because of that, no two pieces in the collection are ever exactly alike. Whoever wears one is wearing something that, quite literally, doesn’t exist anywhere else.

It’s a small thing and a big thing at the same time. Small, because it’s just fabric that would have otherwise gone unused. Big, because it turns every single piece into proof that nothing about Austine Mali is accidental.

What to Expect From Austine Mali at TALES 2026

Ask Uche what’s coming to TALES and you’ll get a smile more than an answer. “Curiosity killed the cat,” he says, when asked about exclusive pieces.

What he will say is this: TALES is about community. And he’s blunt about why people should come find Austine Mali in that room. “Their wardrobe needs Austine Mali to make it complete,” he says.

That confidence comes from a brand that’s grown from small beginnings into a real voice in Afro-Western fashion, without losing sight of what it’s actually for. Storytelling through clothes. Creativity that empowers. Fashion that carries integrity all the way through, from the fabric sourcing to the final stitch.

Shop Austine Mali at TALES 2026: July 24 -25

Why You Shouldn’t Miss Austine Mali at TALES 2026

When you wear Austine Mali, the brand wants you to feel something specific. “Royalty, African heritage, expert craftsmanship,” Uche says, describing exactly what he wants people to feel when they experience the brand.

That’s not a small ask, and it’s exactly why this is worth seeing in person, not scrolling past on a feed. The print mixing, the texture of real Adire and Aso Oke, the quiet fact that the piece in your hands might be the only one of its kind in the world — that’s something you feel standing in the room, not from a product photo.

Register for TALES 2026 at tales.bellafricana.uk and follow Austine Mali on Instagram for previews of what’s coming to London.

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Bellafricana published in The African Lifestyle Experience (TALES)

Ebonimode at TALES 2026: African Craft Meets Modern Fashion

Ebonimode wants you to feel one word above all others: seen. That’s the brand’s answer when asked what a woman should feel in one of its pieces, and it’s exactly the experience waiting at Ebonimode’s showcase at TALES 2026 in London this summer.

Founder Bisola Alaka built the brand from a frustration. African fashion wasn’t taking up the global space it deserved, and she wanted to change that.

Meet Bisola Alaka, the Woman Behind Ebonimode

Bisola Alaka is Nigerian, and the founder and creative director of Ebonimode, a contemporary womenswear brand built around craftsmanship, culture, and elevated femininity.

“It came from a feeling,” she says, of starting the brand. “You know, this quiet frustration of not seeing African fashion occupy the space it deserves on a global scale. I wanted to be part of changing that.”

She describes the brand’s mission plainly. Take what’s deeply familiar, the textiles, the techniques, the stories, and present them in a way that feels refined and current. “Not a costume, not a trend,” she says. “Something timeless. Something a woman reaches for because it simply feels right on her body and true to who she is.”

Bisola Alaka – Founder, Ebonimode

The Part Nobody Sees

Here’s what most people don’t know about an Ebonimode piece: by the time it reaches a hanger, it’s already been through a process most fashion brands skip entirely.

“People see the finished garment, but they rarely see where it starts,” Bisola explains. “Every fabric we use is custom-made. We design the fabrics from scratch, before a single pattern is cut.”

The techniques, hand-dyeing, fabric combination, embroidery, and embellishment aren’t production choices made for effect. They’re things Bisola was drawn to long before the brand had a name.

“In a lot of ways, Ebonimode has always been less about building a business and more about following something that already lived in me,” she says. “The brand just gave it a home.”

That’s not a tagline. That’s the entire reason this brand exists.

Ebonimode: Hand-dyed African fabric

What Shapes an Ebonimode Piece

Ask Bisola what inspires her work, and the answer isn’t trend reports or runway moments. It’s contrast.

“Old and new. Structure and softness. The ornate and the understated,” she says. She’s drawn to the quiet details, texture, the way light falls on fabric, the posture of a woman who has nothing to prove.

Nigerian textile traditions like adire run through the brand’s work, alongside architecture, art, nature, and the way ordinary women move through the world with an elegance they don’t even notice in themselves.

The goal, when a woman puts on an Ebonimode piece, is simple. “Seen,” Bisola says. “That’s the simplest way I can put it. Feeling like it was made with her specifically in mind. Not loud, not trying too hard. Just that quiet confidence that comes from wearing something that genuinely fits who you are.”

What’s Coming to TALES 2026

Ebonimode is bringing exclusive, limited-edition pieces to TALES, crafted from fluid fabrics that carry African history and heritage. “Each piece is designed to move, to tell a story, and to embody culture in motion,” Bisola says. “These are pure art, not just clothing.”

The brand is also curating something beyond the garments themselves: an immersive experience that lets visitors connect with the craftsmanship behind each piece, not just the finished product.

For Bisola, showing at TALES carries real weight. “It’s an opportunity to share our story on a global platform, celebrate African creativity, and engage with the Bellafricana community,” she says. It’s also a chance for meaningful connection. Other creatives, industry leaders, and the people shaping where fashion goes next.

Shop Ebonimode at TALES 2026: July 24 – 26

Why You Need to See Ebonimode at TALES 2026 in Person

There’s a reason Bisola is adamant about this one: you cannot fully understand this work through a screen.

“The fabric textures, the finishes, the details, and storytelling. They ask to be touched,” she says. “If you care about craft, if you’re drawn to fashion that has something to say, come and stand in front of the pieces. Let them speak to you directly. That’s the only way to really get it.”

Register for TALES 2026 at tales.bellafricana.uk and follow @Ebonimode on Instagram for previews of what’s coming to London.

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Bellafricana published in The African Lifestyle Experience (TALES)

Deezmundu at TALES 2026: African Wellness and Beauty Ritual

Deezmundu at TALES 2026 is where African wellness, memory, and ritual come together in scent form.

Before you see it, you’ll smell it.

That’s the thing about Deezmundu. It doesn’t announce itself the way fashion does with colour and silhouette and a look that stops you mid-step. Instead, it works differently. It reaches you through something older, something the brain processes before the eyes do. A scent. A memory. A feeling that something familiar is happening, even if you can’t quite name it yet.

That’s the point. That’s always been the point.

Wura: one of Deezmundu’s handcrafted perfume oils, made for longevity.

Meet Hadiza, the Woman Behind Deezmundu

Hadiza is Nigerian, a trained psychotherapist, interior designer, and someone who has worked in the financial sector. She is also the founder of Deezmundu at TALES 2026, one of the most distinctive wellness brands showing this summer.

That background is not incidental. In fact, it is exactly why Deezmundu exists.

“My background is in psychology, trained in psychotherapy, interior design, and I worked in the financial sector — so I understand both people and business deeply,” she says.

Across all those fields, she noticed the same gap. People were being sold products that addressed the surface, while the deeper need to feel grounded and connected to self was left unmet.

As a result, Deezmundu became her answer to that gap.

Hadiza, founder of Deezmundu.

The Brand That Grew Up in Ancient Ingredients

Growing up, Hadiza was surrounded by African beauty rituals — turmeric, baobab, cloves, shea. These were not trends. They were part of everyday life.

“I grew up surrounded by African beauty rituals and natural ingredients that weren’t just about looking good, but about identity, wellness, and community,” she explains.

Later, she realized modern products often miss that deeper connection.

So she built it back.

Deezmundu is a traditional African wellness brand. That word is intentional. Traditional does not mean old-fashioned. Instead, it means rooted in memory, rhythm, and lived knowledge.

Each perfume oil, incense, and body care product carries that philosophy forward.

“Each creation carries memory, identity, and the rhythm of tradition,” she says, “turning everyday care into timeless ceremony.”

Every Deezmundu product is handmade using ingredients rooted in African tradition.

The Secret Most People Don’t Know About Deezmundu

Here’s something most people don’t realise.

Deezmundu is not just about fragrance.

“It is about memory,” Hadiza reveals. “Every oil, incense, and body care product carries whispers of African rituals passed down through generations.”

That is why the experience stays with people. Not just because of scent, but because scent is tied directly to memory.

As a result, when people use Deezmundu, they don’t just smell good. They feel unforgettable.

That is the philosophy behind everything the brand creates.

Bada, Siyu, Ayaan Oud, Faruk: each oil carries a name, a story, and a scent worth remembering.

What TALES 2026 Visitors Can Expect From Deezmundu

At TALES 2026, Deezmundu will present three limited-edition creations: perfume oils, body butters, and scrubs.

These pieces will be available at TALES 2026, making them true collector’s items.

Each product is handmade, sustainable, and designed for longevity. More importantly, each one blends African heritage with modern luxury in a way that feels intentional rather than decorative.

For Hadiza, this moment is significant.

“Showcasing at TALES 2026 is about placing African craftsmanship on the global luxury stage,” she says. “It is proof that heritage, sustainability, and longevity can stand alongside the finest brands in the world.”

IPARA body butter: Smell enticing every minute of the day.

Why You Need to Experience Deezmundu at TALES 2026

You cannot fully experience Deezmundu at TALES 2026 through a screen.

Instead, it asks for presence.

A perfume oil needs to meet your skin. Incense needs to fill a space. These are not products for quick consumption. They are experiences that unfold slowly.

This is where it gets real.

Deezmundu will be at TALES House, 28 Cavendish Square, off Oxford Street, London W1G 0DB, from July 31 to August 1, and August 9 2026, open daily from 11 AM to 8 PM.

Once the moment passes, it will not repeat itself in the same way.

Come ready to feel something.

Deezmundu at TALES House, London: Jul 31, Aug 1 and Aug 9.

Register for TALES 2026 at tales.bellafricana.uk and follow @Deezmundu for previews of what is coming.

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Bellafricana published in The African Lifestyle Experience (TALES)

Outspok’n at TALES London: Tailoring, Purpose and Style

Outspok’n at TALES London is a celebration of twenty years of tailoring, purpose and style.

Some brands are built from vision boards and business plans.

Outspok’n was built from necessity.

Twenty years later, it has become one of the most compelling menswear brands coming to TALES London this summer.

Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Outspok’n bridges the gap between traditional African fabrics and contemporary design. The pieces are bold, clean, and created for people who understand that what you wear often speaks before you do.

As the brand puts it:

“Fashion is more than what you wear. It’s how you speak without words.”

Outspok’n menswear at TALES London showcasing modern African tailoring

Who Is Behind Outspok’n?

Outspok’n is led by Adesola Balogun, a Lagos-based fashion entrepreneur, business consultant, podcaster, and author.

But before any of those titles, he was a student trying to find a way to stay in school.

“Outspok’n was birthed in 2005,” Adesola explains. “At the time, it was necessary for me to start a business where I could earn an income and support myself through school because my parents were going through some financial difficulties.”

And that is the real origin story of Outspok’n.

Not a fashion week breakthrough. Not a carefully planned business launch.

Just a young man with a challenge to solve and a sharp eye for opportunity.

Adesola Balogun: Founder, Outspok’n Clothiers

The Story Most People Don’t Know

Interestingly, the earliest version of Outspok’n started with shirts.

Adesola noticed that many of his friends admired premium British brands like Thomas Pink and Charles Tyrwhitt. They loved the style but couldn’t always afford the price.

So he created an alternative.

“I provided a more affordable option,” he says, “something that allowed people to look good while still enjoying the style of premium shirts.”

What started as a simple solution eventually became the foundation of something much bigger.

Over time, Outspok’n evolved from just a business that gave him a stipend into something he truly loves, a passionate business that gives him meaning, employs hundreds of Nigerians, and allows him to make a statement about passion.

Today, Outspok’n stands as a testament to what can happen when necessity meets consistency.

Outspok’n linen and Aso-Oke tailoring detail close-up

What Makes Outspok’n Different?

At the heart of Outspok’n is a commitment to thoughtful tailoring and distinctive fabric combinations.

One of the brand’s signatures is the way it blends contemporary fabrics with traditional African textiles.

The way we combine contemporary fabrics, especially linen with Aso-Oke, is something we truly enjoy, Adesola says. “It sets us apart effortlessly.”

Beyond that, this combination brings together the lightness and breathability of linen with the richness and cultural depth of Aso-Oke, creating garments that feel both contemporary and rooted in heritage.

As a result, the brand creates menswear that refuses to choose between tradition and modernity.

“We see our pieces as bold yet comfortable, striking a balance between standing out and feeling at ease,” Adesola explains. “I want people to feel joy and confidence. I want them to feel honoured and feel good.”

What Outspok’n Is Bringing to TALES London

At TALES London, visitors can expect both familiar favourites and something entirely new.

This is what makes Outspok’n one of the most anticipated brands at TALES this summer.

Outspok’n will be bringing back the Skyline Pants and the Omo Oluwabi Pants, while also introducing pieces from its latest release, the Out Rocking Collection.

A few pieces from the new collection will make their debut at TALES, making it the first place you’ll be able to see and shop them in person.

For Adesola, however, the event represents more than a collection launch.

“TALES means community. TALES means enterprise. TALES means my dreams coming through,” he says. “It’s about enjoying the camaraderie among fellow creatives and seeing what we can achieve together.”

This summer, Outspok’n arrives in London with two decades of building behind it.

A new collection.

One room in London.

If you’re planning to attend TALES 2026, this is your chance to experience it in person.

Come Shop Outspok’n at TALES London

Come Experience Outspok’n at TALES London

Outspok’n will be showcasing at TALES House as part of Bellafricana’s celebration of African creative excellence this summer.

TALES House, 28 Cavendish Square, off Oxford Street, London W1G 0DB
July 31 – August 1, and August 9, 2026
11 AM to 8 PM daily

“People should come and experience Outspok’n because it represents freedom, boldness, and confidence,” Adesola says.

If you’re in London this summer, this is your opportunity to experience two decades of craftsmanship, purpose, and style up close.

Learn more about TALES London here: https://tales.bellafricana.uk

Follow @outspok’n for previews and stay connected with @bell_africana for updates on TALES.

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Bellafricana published in The African Lifestyle Experience (TALES), Uncategorized

Gia 1 Fashion at TALES London: Healing, Heritage, and Style

There’s a kind of fashion that simply covers the body. Then there is another kind that says something true about the woman wearing it.

Gia 1 Fashion belongs to the second category.

This August, the brand arrives at TALES London, Bellafricana’s celebration of African creative excellence. It brings with it a philosophy rooted in storytelling, emotion, and bold expression.

If you have seen even one image from Gia 1 Fashion, you already understand why people are paying attention.

A closer look at the silhouette and storytelling behind Gia 1 Fashion’s design language.

Who Is Behind Gia 1 Fashion?

Gia 1 Fashion is the work of Gloria Anyaehie. She is a designer based between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Her relationship with fashion goes far beyond fabric and silhouette. For her, clothing is not only about dressing women. It is about helping them see themselves again.

“All my life, I’ve used fashion not just to dress women, but to help them rediscover confidence and see themselves again,” she shares.

This is not a tagline. It is the foundation of the brand.

You can see it in every piece. From richly patterned kaftans to structured gowns that move with intention, each design carries presence.

Every detail is intentional, from texture to form, nothing is accidental.

The Story Behind the Brand

Gia 1 Fashion did not begin as a business plan.

It began as survival.

“I started my brand from a place of passion and pain,” Gloria says. “Fashion became my way of healing during difficult seasons of life. I wanted other women to experience that same transformation through fashion and style.”

Behind the bold prints and elegant draping is a story of resilience. It is the story of a woman who chose to keep creating, even in difficult seasons.

That choice became Gia 1 Fashion.

After more than twenty years in the fashion industry, Gloria describes showcasing at TALES as deeply meaningful.

“It means legacy, growth, visibility, and connection with other creatives on a deeper level,” she explains. “Standing on a platform like TALES feels like a reminder that my gift has purpose beyond what I can see.”

Fashion as healing — expressed through structure, pattern, and presence.

What Inspires Gia 1 Fashion Designs?

Look closely at a Gia 1 Fashion piece and you will notice a recurring detail. An abstract face appears across different designs, applied into the fabric in varying forms and colourways.

It is striking and intentional.

Gloria draws her inspiration from women.

“Women inspire me. Their strength, softness, journeys, and quiet courage,” she says. “Every piece is created to make a woman feel seen, graceful, and powerful.”

Faith and nature also shape her creative direction. But at the centre of it all is everyday womanhood.

This becomes visible in the final work.

Oversized sleeves move with drama. Prints combine animal and geometric influences. Colour pairings feel unexpected yet deliberate, from bold pinks against grey to deep magenta against blush tones.

The result is not trend-led fashion. It is emotional design.

Strength, softness, and storytelling woven into wearable form.

Why Gia 1 Fashion Feels Global

Gloria’s vision has never been limited to one city.

“Whether in London, Lagos, or New York, women understand the desire to feel confident, elegant, and whole,” she says. “That is what Gia 1 Fashion represents.”

That vision is already visible in the brand’s editorial work. Shot across London landmarks like Oxford Street and its surrounding architecture, the pieces feel at home in both African and global contexts.

They do not belong to one geography.

They move easily across them.

That versatility is part of what makes the brand compelling.

Gia 1 Fashion at TALES London

So what happens when this story steps into a physical space?

Gloria describes the experience as emotional and personal rather than transactional.

“Visitors should expect timeless statement pieces filled with emotion, elegance, and storytelling,” she says. “It will feel warm, personal, and unforgettable.”

Gia 1 Fashion will be showcasing at TALES House, 28 Cavendish Square, just off Oxford Street in London.

It will only be there for a limited time this August.

Once the showcase ends, this exact moment will not repeat itself.

It is part of the wider TALES London experience, a celebration of African creativity curated by Bellafricana. But Gia 1 Fashion stands as its own distinct story within it.

Why This Moment Matters

Gloria puts it simply.

“Gia 1 Fashion is more than a clothing brand. It is a story people can feel. Every piece carries healing, resilience, and the reminder that confidence can always rise again.”

Experience the collection in person this August at TALES House, 28 Cavendish Square.

If you are in London this August, this is a chance to experience that story in person.

To see the craftsmanship up close.

To understand the emotion behind the design.

And to meet the woman behind it.

Because when style heals, confidence rises.

Follow the journey:
@gia1fashion for behind-the-scenes access to the brand and new collections.
@bell_africana for more stories from TALES London and African creative excellence.

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Bellafricana published in The African Lifestyle Experience (TALES)

How to Plan Your Visit to TALES 2026 in London (The African Lifestyle Experience Guide)

How to Plan Your Visit to TALES 2026 by Bellafricana in London (The African Lifestyle Experience Guide)

If you’re looking for things to do in London this summer, especially experiences that celebrate culture, creativity, and unique brands, then TALES 2026 (The African Lifestyle Experience) should be on your list.

Taking place for 30 days in London (July 24 – August 23), TALES brings together some of the most exciting African fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and home brands—all in one curated space.

But TALES isn’t just something you attend.
It’s something you experience.

Here’s how to plan your visit and make the most of it.

What is TALES (The African Lifestyle Experience)?

TALES is a curated retail and cultural experience that showcases African creative brands in London.

It’s where you:

  • Discover unique African fashion and lifestyle products
  • Meet the founders behind the brands
  • Experience the stories behind each piece
  • Shop intentionally and meaningfully

If you’re searching for African pop-up experiences in London, cultural events, or unique shopping experiences, TALES is one to explore.

TALES 2026 Dates & Location

  • Dates: July 24 – August 23, 2026
  • Location: TALES House London, 28 Cavendish Square (Off Oxford Street), London W1G 0DB.

Located in the heart of London, TALES House is easily accessible and perfect for both locals and visitors.

How to Get to TALES House London

TALES House is centrally located on Oxford Street, making it easy to reach:

  • By Tube: Oxford Circus Station or Tottenham Court Road Station
  • By Bus: Multiple routes along Oxford Street
  • By Car: Limited parking available nearby (public transport recommended)

Opening Hours for TALES 2026

10am – 7pm daily

Tip: Visit earlier in the day for a more relaxed experience, or later for a livelier atmosphere.

Plan Your Visit Ahead for TALES 2026

With 30 days to explore, it’s worth planning ahead.

Ask yourself:

  • Do you want a quiet browsing experience or a lively one?
  • Are you coming solo, with friends, or with family?
  • Do you want a quick visit or a full experience?

Many visitors come more than once, and for good reason.

Set a Budget (and Stay Open)

Trust me, TALES is full of discovery.

You’ll come across:

  • Unique pieces
  • New brands
  • Items you didn’t plan to buy

Set a budget, but leave a little room for surprises.

Take Your Time

TALES is not a quick stop.

Give yourself time to:

  • Walk through the space
  • Revisit brands
  • Explore different sections

Some of the best finds happen when you slow down.

Don’t Just Shop, Engage

One of the most unique parts of TALES is the opportunity to connect directly with founders.

Ask questions like:

  • What inspired this piece?
  • How was this created?
  • What does this collection mean?

These conversations make your purchases more meaningful.

Capture and Share the Experience

TALES is a beautiful, vibrant space, perfect for photos and content.

Feel free to:

  • Take pictures
  • Share your experience
  • Tag the brands and @bellafricanauk

Who Should Attend TALES 2026?

TALES is for:

  • Shoppers looking for unique and meaningful products
  • Creatives and entrepreneurs seeking inspiration
  • Buyers and collaborators exploring new brands
  • Anyone interested in African culture and creativity

If you enjoy discovering something different, you’ll feel right at home.

Payment Options

Most brands will accept:

  • Card and contactless payments
  • Some may accept cash

It’s always helpful to come prepared with multiple options.

Best Times to Visit TALES

  • Weekdays (Daytime): Quieter, more relaxed
  • Evenings & Weekends: Busier, more vibrant

Choose based on the kind of experience you want.

Final Thoughts

TALES is more than a market.
More than a pop-up.
More than a shopping trip.

It’s a space where you:

  • Discover
  • Connect
  • Experience

And the way you show up… will shape what you take away.

📍 Plan Your Visit

TALES 2026
July 24 – August 23
28 Cavendish Square (Off Oxford Street), London W1G 0DB.
Follow along: @bellafricanauk

We can’t wait to welcome you at TALES 2026.

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Community Manager published in African Creativity & Innovation, bellafricana

African Fashion Platform for the Diaspora: The Ella Mo Brand

African fashion has always had the talent. Designers emerging from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, and beyond have been producing world-class work for decades. Yet the African fashion platform that could carry that talent to the diaspora has been missing. The collections are compelling. The craftsmanship is real. The cultural depth is undeniable.

But what has been harder to solve is access.

Consider the gap between an extraordinary Nigerian designer in Lagos and the diaspora customer in London who would buy her work, wear it, and understand exactly what it means. That gap has resisted cultural momentum, social media advocacy, and years of goodwill. It does not close on its own. It closes when someone builds the infrastructure.

That is where Olubukola Adenugba comes in. She is the founder of The Ella Mo Brand, a curated African fashion platform based in the UK, and she is doing exactly that work.

Olubukola Adenugba, Founder of The Ella Mo Brand

Who Is Olubukola Adenugba?

Olubukola grew up at the intersection of two worlds: the rich visual culture of Nigeria, where fabric is ceremony and dress carries cultural memory, and the fashion-conscious creative environment of the UK, where she has built her professional career.

Her training was both rigorous and deliberate. She studied at Yetroselane Fashion Academy in Lagos, founded by award-winning CEO Yetunde Akande, a brand with runway presence at New York Fashion Week and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Ghana. That foundation gave her the creative and cultural grounding that now underpins everything she builds.

She went on to study Human Communication at Bowen University in Nigeria, then Digital Marketing at York St John University in London. Her years as a fashion stylist placed her at the centre of Nigerian fashion. Her work as a digital creator for global brands including Zara and H&M gave her an inside view of how international fashion organisations think: about market access, logistics, and moving product across borders.

She carried both educations into what she built. From the Nigerian side, she understood the quality of what African designers were producing. From the international side, she understood how far that quality was from the audiences who would value it most.

Eventually, that understanding became The Ella Mo Brand.

Guardian Nigeria Saturday Magazine feature on The Ella Mo Brand

An African Fashion Platform Built on Three Non-Negotiables

The Ella Mo Brand is a curated fashion-tech e-commerce platform. It sits at the intersection of African design talent and the global diaspora audience hungry for it. But calling it a platform understates what is actually happening inside it.

Olubukola evaluates every brand on the platform against three criteria she first developed during her fashion training and has held to ever since: authenticity of cultural expression, quality of craftsmanship, and integrity in how a brand represents its origins.

This is not a marketplace chasing volume. Instead, it is editorial curation, held to the standard of a luxury concept store buyer. The result is a platform where every piece carries cultural intention, and where the diaspora customer can trust what he or she finds.

Moreover, that standard does not shift. It applies with the same rigour to well-known brands and emerging ones alike. Commercial pressure does not move it.

The Ella Mo Brand platform – curated brand display

Working at the Design Stage, Not Just the Retail Stage

What sets The Ella Mo Brand apart from a curated shop is what happens before the customer ever arrives.

Olubukola works with African designers at the production stage, contributing to the conception of pieces that translate African aesthetic traditions for a diaspora wardrobe without diluting what makes them culturally significant. This is not a passive curatorial role. It is an active creative methodology.

Her collaborative work with Tania Omotayo’s Ziva Lagos is the clearest example of this in practice. Ziva Lagos brings four consecutive years at Arise Fashion Week, UNESCO-affiliated platform presentations in Paris, and a presence at Dubai Expo 2020. These are not transactional arrangements. Rather, they are design-stage partnerships built on a shared conviction that African fashion deserves to reach its audiences without compromise.

As a result, the garments that come from these collaborations carry a specificity in cultural reference, silhouette, and finish that speaks to a trained creative sensibility operating at the intersection of two fashion cultures at once.

Recent Co-creation work of The Ella Mo brand with Ojude Aso (Image credit: ARTNOVATION)

What the Industry Is Saying

The measure of a platform’s significance is not what its founder says about it. It is what the industry says without being prompted.

Tania Omotayo of Ziva Lagos chose to have her brand commercially stocked on the platform. Similarly, Toyin Lawani, CEO of Tiannah’s Place Empire, with 25 years in the African fashion industry and over 2 million Instagram followers, has worn and publicly endorsed the curated designs, and has mentored Olubukola through the specific challenge of building an African fashion platform in the UK.

Then there is Yetunde Akande of Yetroselane Fashion Academy, who trained Olubukola and now has her brand commercially stocked on the platform. When the person who taught you the standards later chooses to be stocked by the platform you built on those standards, that is not coincidence. That is a closed loop of credibility.

The media recognition follows the same pattern. The Guardian Nigeria’s Saturday Magazine fashion section ran an independent editorial feature on the platform. In addition, La Mode UK, a UK-registered publication with presence in both Africa and the UK, featured Olubukola as their cover subject.

These are not arranged endorsements. They are independent assessments from people and institutions who know the African fashion industry from the inside.

Building the Community, Not Just the Business

The most telling indicator of a creative leader’s intention is what they do when the commercial case is already made.

For Olubukola, the answer is to go into schools.

Her community education programme takes her into UK schools, where she runs workshops introducing young people to African fashion heritage: the history of African textiles, the ceremonial significance of dress, and the craftsmanship traditions that underpin the designs on her platform. In a country where the African diaspora is one of the most culturally invested communities, this work builds the next generation of informed customers, creators, and advocates for African fashion.

Beyond education, her London Pop-Up Exhibitions bring multiple African fashion brands into direct contact with UK buyers and diaspora communities. The first has already taken place. The second is scheduled for June 27 – 28. 2026. She is not only building a platform. She is building a market.

One of Our Own

Olubukola is a Bellafricana member. And what she is building is exactly the kind of work this community exists to celebrate.

Bellafricana was built for African creative entrepreneurs who are not just running businesses. They are building the systems and infrastructure that the wider African creative economy depends on. The Ella Mo Brand is precisely that kind of work.

It is rigorous where others are casual. It is culturally grounded where others are trend-driven. And it is building real commercial infrastructure, from the UK, for one of the most commercially significant yet underserved audiences in global fashion.

Why This Matters

This is what it looks like when an African creative entrepreneur builds for the long term.

The Ella Mo Brand is not chasing noise. Instead, it is building the infrastructure that makes the room possible: a reliable, culturally intelligent, editorially rigorous African fashion platform that the diaspora market has been waiting for.

African fashion’s global moment is here. Talent was never the question. The question was always who would build the systems to carry that talent to the audiences it deserves.

On that question, Olubukola Adenugba is doing the work.

At Bellafricana, that is exactly the kind of work we exist to recognise.

Follow The Ella Mo Brand: @theellamobrand

Website: theellamobrand.com

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Community Manager published in TALES series 2026

Meet the Founder of Moelle Zavian, One of the Creatives Showcasing at TALES 2026

Moelle Zavian

Every great event has stories behind it. Not just the displays and the designs you see on the day, but the people, the journeys, and the quiet convictions that brought them there.

That is exactly what this editorial series is about.

As TALES 2026 in London approaches, we are sitting down with the creatives who will be in the room. Not to tell you what to expect. But to let you hear it from them directly. Their stories, their brands, their reasons for showing up.

So consider this your introduction. The first of many.

The Conversation

B: Tell us about yourself, your name, where you’re from, and what you do.

D: My name is Doyinsola Ogbeifun, and I am from Nigeria. I am the founder and creative director of Moelle Zavian, a fashion brand dedicated to creating elevated, feminine occasionwear for women across the world.

B: What inspired you to start the brand?

D: Moelle Zavian was born from a desire to create pieces that truly honour the female form, especially for women who often feel overlooked by standard sizing. I wanted to design garments that feel intentional, flattering, and deeply personal.

On the Brand

B: What is the secret story behind Moelle Zavian that most people don’t know?

D: Beyond the aesthetics, the brand is rooted in transformation. Many of our designs reflect quiet becoming moments where a woman steps into a new version of herself, even before the world fully sees it.

B: What inspires the pieces you create?

D: I am inspired by women, their transitions, their confidence, their softness, and their strength. I also draw from structure and fluidity, blending sculpted silhouettes with movement and detail.

B: What do you want people to feel when they experience your brand?

D: I want them to feel seen, confident, and elevated. Like they are stepping into the most refined version of themselves, effortlessly.

B: What makes Moelle Zavian unique globally?

D: Our focus on fit and intention. We design for tall, curvy, and petite women, offering a more personalised approach to occasionwear. Every piece is crafted with precision, ensuring it doesn’t just look beautiful, it feels made for you.

B: What should visitors look forward to at TALES 2026?

D: Visitors can expect a curated presentation of our signature designs, including standout pieces from our latest collection. There will also be an opportunity to experience our craftsmanship up close and explore custom options.

B: What does showcasing at TALES mean to you?

D: It represents visibility, growth, and connection. It is an opportunity to share our story on a global stage and connect with a community that values intentional design.

B: Why should people come and experience Moelle Zavian at TALES 2026?

D: Because Moelle Zavian is more than clothing, it is an experience. It is about stepping into pieces that are thoughtfully made, emotionally resonant, and designed to leave a lasting impression.

Don’t Sleep on TALES 2026, London

Moelle Zavian will be at TALES 2026 London this July, and this is exactly the kind of brand you want to discover in person. The craftsmanship, the fit, the intention behind every piece. It hits differently when you are standing right in front of it.

Get your attendee ticket now before they are gone.

And if you are a creative brand looking to showcase, there is still time to register.

Watch out for the next one.

Want to explore the brand before then?Follow Moelle Zavian on Instagram and connect with Doyinsola directly.

This is part of Bellafricana’s editorial series spotlighting the creatives behind TALES 2026. Follow along as we tell their stories.

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Community Manager published in Creative business

Brand Story for Creative Businesses: How to Tell Yours the Right Way

Many creatives think the problem is visibility or sales. They post more, take better photos, or create more content.‎ But when it comes to brand storytelling for creative businesses, the real problem is often the story itself. ‎Not that you do not have a story. The problem is that you are telling the wrong one.‎ Most creatives focus on what they did, how long it took, the materials they used, and the process.

While all of that matters, it is not what people connect to.‎ People do not buy effort. They buy meaning. Research published by Google shows that emotional connection is a key driver of how people choose and stay loyal to brands.

Process matters, but meaning is what people connect to.

Many brand stories focus on process instead of meaning.‎ After working with African creatives preparing for exhibitions and global opportunities, one thing is clear. Beautiful, well-made work can still be overlooked when the story behind it is not clear.‎ The issue is not quality. It is clarity.

What Makes a Strong Brand Story

‎A strong brand story shows why your work exists, what it represents, and who it is for.‎ The brands that stand out are not always the most skilled. They are the ones people understand quickly and clearly.‎ Clarity builds connection. Connection builds value.

‎5 Steps to Tell Your Brand Story the Right Way

1. Start with the origin‎: Focus on why this work began, not just how you made it.

‎2. Define what your work represents‎: Is it culture, identity, memory, sustainability, or something else? Make that clear.‎

3. Be specific about your audience‎: Not everyone who likes your work. Identify who truly sees themselves in it.

‎4. Translate your work into feeling‎: What should someone feel when they see or own it? Emotional connection drives value.‎

5. Repeat your story consistently: ‎Use your captions, website, conversations, and exhibitions. Repetition builds recognition.

A strong brand story connects your work to emotion and identity.

The Power of What You Don’t Reveal

‎Not every part of your story needs to be told at once. ‎Part of what makes a brand interesting is anticipation. When people sense that there is more to discover, they pay closer attention. They lean in. They stay curious.

‎Strong brands understand timing. They know what to share now and what to hold back.‎ Sometimes, the most powerful part of your story is the part you choose to reveal later.

Why Your Brand Story Matters for TALES 2026

‎This is where brand storytelling for creative businesses becomes even more important.‎ This year’s TALES theme is The Secret Story. It invites creatives to move beyond simply showing their work and begin to reveal something deeper.‎

TALES 2026 is not just about displaying products. It is about unveiling something new. A piece, a collection, or a story your audience has not experienced before.‎ What matters is not just what you create, but how you bring people into the discovery of it.

Some stories are meant to be discovered in person.

Final Thoughts

Before focusing on pricing, content, or visibility, ask yourself:‎ Are you telling people what you did, or showing them what it means?‎One explains your work.‎ The other makes people choose it.‎ And beyond that, ask yourself: ‎What part of your story are you still holding back?

‎If you want to present your work with clarity, meaning, and intention, TALES 2026 is the place to do it.‎ Apply to exhibit here: http://Bellafricana.com/popup-london

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