Oleku Is Back and Better, But with a Fresh Twist

The Oleku style is making its way into the spotlight but with a redefined twist. The classic Nigerian short wrapper style is back, from Lagos parties to celebrity photo shoots, the oleku is everywhere again. The women bringing it back are not playing it safe at all.

Photo: Instagram/Mercyaigbe

Mercy Aigbe kicked things off in a two-piece dress in black and burgundy damask brocade with intricate swirls, featuring wide, flared sleeves and an asymmetrical mini hemline detailed with metallic gold fringe. She accessorized with a sculptural gele crafted from the same damask fabric, round retro-style sunglasses, a metallic gold chain necklace and a small rectangular red micro bag. The outfit was paired with red strappy high-heeled sandals.

Photo: Instagram/Nellymbonu

Nelly Mbonu wore a fitted lace two-piece dress featuring three-quarter sleeves and a floor-length side train, crafted from an intricate overlay lace woven in sky blue and silver threads. Her accessories included a gele made from a cerulean blue fabric, a matching blue ipele draped over her right arm in silver floral print, a filigree gold pendant with matching drop earrings. For footwear, she wore classic white pointed-toe pumps.

Photo: Instagram/Kiekie

Kiekie wore a high-low two-piece from  Accost Collection, her brand in jacquard with an intricate pattern in blue, magenta and red, with puff sleeves and a pleated short side train. She styled the look with a large, multi-layered gele crafted from the same jacquard fabric, traditional layered coral bead necklaces from Ordawyse Jewels and matching bracelets. She completed the look with dark cat-eye sunglasses and a cherry red quilted leather bag. She wore turquoise satin pointed-toe pumps.

Photo: Instagram/Simisanya

Simi Dapson stepped out in a gold two-piece adorned with sequins, beads, and intricate embroidery, featuring sheer long sleeves and a draped detail extending from the hip. She accessorized with a gele in a muted champagne tone adorned with dark embroidery, a bold necklace and matching drop earrings, and a rectangular clutch fully covered in sparkling red sequins. She wore open-toe high-heeled shoes.

Photo: Instagram/Bimboademoye

Bimbo Ademoye  wore a metallic silver co-ord set trimmed with deep red ostrich feathers, styled with a red metallic gele, gold earrings, necklace and complemented by red strappy heels.

Photo: Instagram/Hildabaci

Hilda Baci wore a lace embroidered top, ruched pink mini skirt, a bow-tied pink gele, a silver mini bag and embellished kitten heels.

Photo: Instagram/Boseogulu

Bose Ogulu, Burna Boy’s mother and manager, wore a neon green lace crochet blouse with wide, bell-shaped sleeves and a high-waisted mini skirt in green-and-gold brocade. She styled it with a gele in matching green-and-gold fabric, a gold necklace, drop earrings, and metallic clutch.

These women are not just revisiting an old trend. They are reshaping it through redefined fabric choices and better styling. The oleku is no longer just for owambe. It has moved into broader fashion dialogue, and these looks shows its continued relevance.