KÍLÉNTÀR’s Visionary owner, Michelle Adepoju chats with GLAMOUR's fashion director

In a world where the bottom line matters and mass production is king, the fashion landscape often feels homogenous and driven purely by profit margins. Amidst this churning machine, we stumble across a fashion brand that stands resolutely apart, refusing to become just another cog in the fast-paced, often unsustainable system of the modern fashion industry. This beacon of conscious design is KÍLÉNTÀR.

KÍLÉNTÀR, a Nigerian fashion brand, is a powerful force seeking to genuinely disrupt the status quo. Its rebellion is rooted in a profound commitment to principles that contemporary fashion frequently overlooks: authenticity, sustainability and tradition. Far from being mere marketing buzzwords, these tenets form the foundation of its entire operational and creative philosophy.The brand’s mission is not simply to create beautiful clothing, but to weave a narrative that honours heritage and preserves artisanal craftsmanship, proving that ethical production and cultural reverence can coexist with high fashion. KÍLÉNTÀR consciously rejects the fleeting cycles of trend-driven consumption, instead championing enduring style and quality garments that possess a story and a soul.The movement is spearheaded by its visionary owner, Michelle Adepoju. Her leadership embodies KÍLÉNTÀR’s core values, driving the brand to make choices that prioritise people and the planet over sheer volume. Under her direction, KÍLÉNTÀR is not just selling clothes; it is selling a commitment to abetter future for fashion, one defined by thoughtful creation, transparency and a deep respect for the Nigerian textile and design legacy.

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Michelle Adepoju the visionary owner of KÍLÉNTÀR

GLAMOUR: Can you share what initially sparked your interest in the world of fashion, specifically in the field of design? Was there a pivotal moment, a life long passion or a specific influence— a person, a piece of art, or an experience — that first ignited your drive and led you down the path of becoming a fashion designer?

Michelle Adepoju: My relationship with fashion started long before I understood it as an industry. Growing up, I was surrounded by women who expressed themselves through clothing, my mother especially, whose style, creativity and sense of self were incredibly influential.I was always observant, drawn to silhouettes, texture and how clothing could quietly communicate power or softness.The pivotal moment came later, during my travels across West Africa in 2018. Meeting women artisans and witnessing traditional craftsmanship firsthand completely shifted my perspective. Fashion stopped being purely aesthetic and became about storytelling, preservation and intention.That experience ignited KÍLÉNTÀR —not just as a brand, but as a responsibility to honour craft, women and heritage in a contemporary way.

G: You grew up in theUnited Kingdom as a child of a Nigerian family. This unique background places you at the intersection of European culture and your rich African heritage. How has this upbringing — being raised in aWestern country while maintaining a strong connection to your Nigerian roots and culture — shaped, informed, and ultimately defined your core design ethos and aesthetic?

MA: Growing up in the UK while being deeply rooted in Nigerian culture has shaped every layer of my design philosophy. There’s a duality I naturally operate within — the structure, restraint and tailoring often associated withEuropean design, paired with the richness, symbolism and emotional depth of African traditions.You’ll see this interplay in KÍLÉNTÀR through refined silhouettes made from hand-woven fabrics, or modern shapes infused with cultural references that feel lived-in rather than decorative.It’s never about choosing one identity over the other, but allowing both to coexist seamlessly — much like my own experience.

G: Social media has emerged as an influential and strategic tool that you have successfully utilised, not only to bring awareness to your brand and business but also to build a community around your work. What were the most valuable lessons you learned while navigating the digital landscape for commercial and artistic purposes?What crucial piece of advice or cautionary note would you offer to future independent business owners who are looking to leverage social media platforms effectively?

MA: One of the biggest lessons social media has taught me is the value of authenticity over perfection. People connect more deeply to process, honesty and intention than overly curated narratives. Showing the behind-the-scenes — the challenges, the growth, the learning — has helped build a genuine community rather than just an audience. My advice to independent business owners is to be intentional and disciplined. Social media can be powerful, but it can also be distracting.Use it as a tool, not a compass. Know what you’re building offline first, and let social media amplify that — not define it.

G: What steps do you take to ensure that your work remains authentic to your vision and stands out in a crowded global marketplace that can often seek to homogenise creativity?

MA: My intrinsic driver has always been clarity — knowing why I create and who I create for. Trends move quickly, but intention lasts. I’m not interested in chasing relevance; I’m focused on building longevity. Practically, that means slowing down where possible, protecting the integrity of the brand, and making decisions that align with KÍLÉNTÀR’s values even when it would be easier not to. I regularly return to our core principles — craftsmanship, storytelling, and women-led creation —as an anchor. That consistency is what allows the work to stand apart in an industry that often rewards sameness.

G: What are your hopes for KÍLÉNTÀR this year? Do you perhaps set intentions for your brand?

MA: This year, my hope for KÍLÉNTÀRis depth over expansion. I’m focused on strengthening our foundations —refining our hero pieces, deepening our storytelling, and building systems that support sustainable growth. Intention-setting is important to me, and for this year it’s about clarity, scale with integrity and continued global visibility without compromising who we are.

G: This might seem like a cliche question but is there any celebrity or influential individual you would love to see wearing your designs?

MA: I’m less focused on a single celebrity and more interested in women who embody confidence, curiosity and individuality. That said, seeing someone like Michelle Obama wearing KÍLÉNTÀR would feel incredibly aligned, women who carry presence and purpose effortlessly.

G: Your business model has a strong focus on the circular ethical fashion cycle to ensure fairness and sustainability, as well as preserving traditional African methods that continue, rather than die out to mass production methods. Why is this important and has this perhaps created a barrier for the growth of your brand in any way?

MA: Preserving traditional African methods and operating within amore ethical, circular framework is fundamental to KÍLÉNTÀR. These processes hold history, skill and community. Once they’re lost, they’re incredibly hard to recover. While this approach does require more time and intention, I don’t see it as a barrier to growth, but rather a different model of growth. It challenges us to scale thoughtfully, but it also creates work that is meaningful, distinctive and impossible to replicate through mass production.

G: Lastly, what is your favourite piece/s or collection you’ve designed so far?

MA: Choosing a favourite is always difficult, but my recent collection, Surulere, holds a special place for me. The name, which means patience in Yoruba, reflects a season of growth, learning and intentional becoming, both personally and as a brand. The collection explores the idea that things worth building take time. From the craftsmanship to the silhouettes, every piece was designed to feel considered and lived-in, balancing restraint with quiet confidence. It marked a moment where KÍLÉNTÀR felt fully grounded in its identity. It’s a collection that continues to resonate with me because it represents trust in the process, and a commitment to creating work that lasts beyond trends.