Damilola Marcus Onosowobo: Redefining Style, Art, and Culture Through Bawsty

Damilola Marcus Onosowobo is not confined to one discipline.
A Serial Entrepreneur, Internationally Exhibiting Artist, Architect, and Multidisciplinary Designer, she is a creative force shaping fashion, art, and design in Nigeria and beyond.
As the Managing Partner and Executive Art Director at Dá Design Studio and the Co-founder and CEO of Bawsty Clothing and Retail, she embodies the intersection of artistry and enterprise.
Popularly recognized for her pioneering work with Dá Design Studio—a boutique agency pushing the boundaries of brand expression in Nigeria—Onosowobo has carved a name as one of the country’s most versatile creatives.
Her studio’s works were featured in the Venice Design Exhibition in 2019, placing Nigerian design on an international stage.
Her evolution as an artist has been equally striking. She made her debut at Coalesce, a duo exhibition at Affinity Art Gallery in Lagos (2021).
That same year, she was part of the acclaimed Mother of Mankind exhibition, curated by Adaora Mba of ADA Contemporary Art Gallery in Accra and showcased at HOFA Gallery in London.
These milestones revealed her ability to translate cultural identity into bold, contemporary expressions, earning her recognition in global art circles.
Yet, it is in fashion and culture that Damilola’s influence has perhaps found its boldest form.
With Bawsty, she has built more than a fashion label—it is a statement on body-positivity, identity, and unapologetic confidence. Born out of the desire to challenge conventional beauty standards, Bawsty reimagines fashion as a tool of empowerment for women of all shapes and sizes.
By marrying African heritage with global appeal, the brand speaks to a generation eager to see themselves celebrated without compromise.
For Onosowobo, fashion is storytelling. Each Bawsty piece carries intention: a reflection of culture, individuality, and pride.
More than clothes, the brand has become a movement—reshaping perceptions of African femininity, while inspiring women globally to embrace fashion as both art and identity.
Her academic foundation is as impressive as her creative achievements. She holds a BA in Architecture from the University of Lagos and an MSc in Environmental Design, grounding her practice in both structure and sustainability.
This blend of architectural precision and artistic fluidity is evident in her designs—whether in fashion, branding, or visual art.
Beyond her enterprises, Damilola is shaping conversations about creativity on a larger scale. She is a member of the D&AD Impact Council, lending her voice to global dialogues on design’s role in social impact.
She has also been recognized at home as a TFAA (The Future Awards Africa) Young Person of the Year honoree, cementing her place among a new generation of African innovators.
Today, Damilola Marcus Onosowobo represents more than personal success; she is part of a cultural shift.
Through Bawsty and Dá Design Studio, she is positioning African fashion, art, and design not on the margins but at the center of global narratives.
She sees a future where African women are not only participants in the fashion world but leaders—defining aesthetics, driving cultural influence, and rewriting the rules of beauty and style.
Her journey reflects a deeper truth: that creativity, when rooted in identity and vision, has the power to transform industries and societies.
Whether on the runway, in galleries, or through brand storytelling, Damilola Onosowobo is a reminder that fashion is more than appearance—it is culture, empowerment, and a bold declaration of who we are.