From Tech to Timeless Couture: I create timeless pieces – Akinlolu

In the world of fashion, creativity isn’t merely a skill—it’s the lifeblood of innovation. For Akinlolu Soroye, it’s also been the bridge between two seemingly disparate worlds: technology and couture. His inspiring transformation from a gifted web and graphics designer to a trailblazing African fashion visionary is a story that challenges what’s possible. At the heart of his journey lies Olamoda Sartorial, a brand that embodies his unique vision and creativity.

Before fashion became his calling, Akinlolu had already honed a unique eye for balance, color, and precision as a web and graphics designer. His talent for weaving visual harmony into every project hinted at the brilliance to come. But every journey to greatness has its defining moment, and for Akinlolu, it came during one of the most challenging times in recent history: the global pandemic of 2020. “Before then, fashion design was just a talent I explored, not a career I fully embraced,” Akinlolu reflects.

As the world stood still, uncertainty loomed large. For many, it was a time of survival, of waiting for the storm to pass. But for Akinlolu, it became a moment of reckoning. Beneath the chaos of lockdowns and isolation, he unearthed a long-buried dream—the dream to create something tangible, beautiful, and enduring.

“The pandemic made me stop and really think about what I wanted to do with my life,” he reflects. “It was in that stillness that I found my courage to follow my heart into fashion.”

What emerged was not just a career shift but a creative revolution. Akinlolu took the same meticulous attention to detail that had defined his digital work and applied it to his first designs. The result? Bold, arresting pieces that told stories.

His collections are a marriage of cultural pride and contemporary artistry. Picture vibrant colors and Ankara prints transformed through sleek tailoring. The effect is stunning: garments that feel simultaneously timeless and futuristic, brimming with personality and purpose.

What truly sets Akinlolu apart is how seamlessly he integrates his background in technology with his fashion. While many designers sketch by hand, he digitally maps his designs, crafting intricate patterns that appear painted directly onto fabric. This technical precision makes his works unique and clean.

“Technology is woven into my process,” Akinlolu shares. “It lets me push boundaries, experiment fearlessly, and create pieces that wouldn’t be possible through traditional methods alone.”

Take his latest collection: Irin Ajo. Each piece pulses with life, vibrant yet restrained, modern yet steeped in history. His work is a masterclass in storytelling—each thread, each seam, a love letter to his heritage and a bold vision of its future.

But for Akinlolu, it’s about more than clothes. It’s about inspiring others to dream bigger. “My journey was about finding a new way to express my passion,” he says. “I hope people see that their talents—no matter where they start—can lead them somewhere extraordinary.”

Akinlolu’s story resonates deeply in an industry that often overlooks originality. Where many see limits, he sees boundless potential. His work is a celebration of individuality, a testament to the power of courage, and a reminder that African creativity knows no bounds.

As Akinlolu Soroye’s influence expands, his designs are no longer just garments—they’re cultural artifacts, living testaments to the spirit of African innovation. With every stitch, he redefines what it means to blend heritage with modernity and tradition with technology.