Atelier Onikan is a full-service crafts research, product development and sourcing studio specializing in Nigerian craft.

We develop and produce craft-led textiles, apparel, accessories and objects for contemporary artists, creatives and design labels.

Young man with long hair wearing a clean minimal outfit in a studio shot over grey background.

Jaya
In studio

Jamie
In studio

Reese
In studio

Atelier Onikan approaches Nigerian craft as a living system of knowledge — shaped by material intelligence, cultural meaning, and use case.

This approach allows Nigerian craft to function as a design language rather than a fixed aesthetic, enabling it to resonate across contexts, audiences, and forms without losing authenticity.

Explore how we work with craft.

Medium close up portrait of adult woman
Young man with long hair wearing a clean minimal outfit in a studio shot over grey background.

Jaya
In studio

Jamie
In studio

Young woman with blue hair and creative makeup looking at camera against violet background

Reese
In studio

Our Services

  • We undertake one-of-one or small-series design commissions for artist or film projects, cultural instituitions and private collectors. These projects focus on singular garments, costumes, or crafted objects, which often require specialized craft techniques, research, and bespoke execution.

    Our commissions frequently operate at the edge of how a technique has historically been used—developing new material combinations, adapting craft techniques to different scales, or applying them to new forms and contexts. Depending on the brief, work may be executed in-house or produced in collaboration with our network of artisans, specialist makers, and long-standing creative partners.

  • We help creatives and design labels working with Nigerian craft translate their conceptual ideas into finished garments and products. Drawing on our garment construction expertise and craft knowledge, we bridge creative vision and technical execution to ensure craft-led designs are realized as intended and function as they should.

    Our role spans craft advisory and translation, textile and/or garment design, technical product development, pattern development, strategic sourcing, sampling, fit refinement, grading, and low-MOQ production.

  • We develop limited-run apparel and product capsules for brand campaigns, film releases, tours, and cultural institutions where creating pieces that stand apart visually, reveal details with a sense of hand, and remain top of mindbeyond the campaign period is desired.

    Depending on the brief, our role spans concept development and/or creative direction, craft translation, textile and garment design, technical product development, sampling, and production.


THE STUDIO

Atelier Onikan is a not-for-profit studio with a small team working across Lagos, Johannesburg, London & New York.

Client commissions support our various initatives across craft research and experimentation, backing a new wave of creatives working with Nigerian craft, and developing fair, informed models for creative collaboration.

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