Studio Imo is a boutique design label founded by design duo Edwin Okolo and Imobong Emah. Established in 2013, the brand started off as a  remote collaborative project between both designers who were studying in Ghana and Nigeria. Drawn to each other by their mutual admiration for the golden era of Dolce and Gabbana, the pedigree of Valentino and the self-referential kitsch of Sonial Rykiel and Missoni, both began to work together, reverse engineering a design philosophy that paid homage to their favourite brands but incorporated a contemporary Nigerian sensibility to their own projects. 

Under the Creative Direction of Edwin Okolo, the brand settled on crochet as its design signature. Inspired by Edwin Okolo’s early introduction to crochet, apprenticing with his grandaunts to learn the techniques and textural motifs he favours today. The possibilities for using crochet as a vehicle for progressive, sustainable movement to upcycle plastic waste as implemented in countries across West Africa was also another strong motivation for the brand to adopt crochet as its preferred fabrication technique. 

Studio iMo’s fascination with crochet has grown as the label explores how elements like technique and material influence fabrication, construction and drape. 

To understand the Nigerian fashion ecosystem, Studio iMo has collaborated with prominent Nigerian design labels Orange Culture, IAMISIGO, helping to shape now deferential collections in their catalogues. It  has also collaborated with peer brands Denike  and  Maxivive as they attempt to mirror post millennial zeitgeist. 

Studio iMo’s work has been highlighted by BellaNaija, Haute Fashion Africa, GQ SA and Vogue Italia. Its current focus is an exploration of the possibilities of knitwear for African climates through fabric innovation.