A qualified lawyer specialising in finance law is using his skills in a more creative way.
Aji Ayorinde in a bid to show the world that Africa can compete in the luxury tailored formalwear market and in the luxury tailored streetwear market launched MIA London.
Aji Ayorinde
Aji Ayorinde
MIA London is a luxury fashion brand which connects the world to African creativity. The brand provides a platform for formalwear pieces handmade by skilled tailors from across the African continent and is designed by its Creative Director - Ayorinde.
MIA London is a modern thinking African brand that recognises that gender fluidity exists – all of their clothing is now unisex.
Ayorinde is a social entrepreneur with several years of experience dealing directly with multi-national clients. He is also the co-chair of a social enterprise named The Law Collective which has been responsible for helping hundreds of Black students secure jobs within the legal profession by connecting them with their network of young Black lawyers; a committee member of the British Nigeria Law Forum and co-head of their junior Lawyers' division; a board member of London-based start-up community organisation 'YSYS'; a member of the RemitFund Technical Working Group; and a key member of the Black British City Group.
1 of 10
2 of 10
3 of 10
4 of 10
5 of 10
6 of 10
7 of 10
8 of 10
9 of 10
10 of 10
The MIA story began in Africa, a continent that holds infinite beauty and is home to a generation of inspired individuals who are breaking conservative moulds. MIA London's founder's own African cultural genesis led him back to the continent, where he was re-invigorated by the people and experiences that he encountered. When he found himself in need of a suit, he designed the first pair of MIA trousers; taking cognisance of contemporary trends, and incorporating the high-waisted fit of a bygone era. His design provided a solution to the trade-off between waist fit and leg room that many men experience and was the perfect fit for any man. The creation of the initial pair of trousers was entrusted to a local tailor of a South African brand. After experiencing the pure luxury and comfort of the trousers created, Aji Ayorinde returned to London, England to launch the brand.
MIA London provides both a bespoke tailoring offering and collaborates with a number of highly-skilled African tailors with a focus on its flagship products, high-waisted formal trousers and tailored sweatpants, customised per collection by the tailors. The focus of the brand is on the fit of the product, the fit of the future for the modern day gentleman or woman. All of their clothing is handmade in different countries in Africa including Zambia and South Africa.
“We take a collaborative approach as our aim is not to ‘colonise’ the creative talent of our chosen tailors but to showcase their skills” - he states.