Nigerian millinery expert and Creative Director of Allured by Ruby Millinery Academy, Adeola Rachael Agbana, was recently selected by the British Millinery Association to train its students in Gele, the traditional Nigerian headwrap.
The selection marks a major international recognition for Adeola and highlights the growing global interest in African headwear.
Millinery, particularly the traditional Nigerian Gele, is a niche but culturally significant craft. Nigerian milliners are increasingly gaining global recognition for their creativity and bold designs.
By selecting Adeola, who is the first African to train its students, the British Millinery Association is showcasing the richness of Nigerian headwear while promoting cultural exchange and professional development.
“I was genuinely surprised and equally excited that I attracted the interest of an international millinery body to teach their members on Gele Artistry,” Adeola said in an interview, while reflecting on her initial reaction to the news.
She believes her selection came down to her dedication to excellence, stating, “One of my personal core values is excellence and professionalism, which I try to show in almost everything I do, whether in my headwear products or when I teach so I believe these qualities resonated with the British Millinery Association.”
She noted that the training, conducted live via Zoom, focused on the Round Gele Design.
“The training was centred on Gele Artistry – it was a live class held on the Zoom App with participants watching the process and also asking questions. The design taught was the Round Gele Design.
“It was broken down into the simplest and easy to understand method possible, specifically because of the peculiar audience.
“All the processes were shown from start to finish and the participants really enjoyed themselves judging from the feedback gotten after the class,” she explained.
According to her, she sees the international exposure as an opportunity to showcase Nigerian culture on a global platform.
“I think this international exposure is another opportunity to put our Nigerian cultural heritage on the global map. Gele is an integral and significant part of the Nigerian fashion and culture whether in our casual everyday lives, gatherings, formal or informal functions and ceremonies; it is a symbol of our identity and mostly associated with celebrations and happiness.
“The influence on our craft is quite huge and lends credence to the fact that fashion as we know it all over the world is constantly evolving and we’re seeing a lot of infusions of different fashion cultures such as a combination of the female English formal wear with a Turban or making a suit or blazer with our local adire or Ankara fabric, etc.
“The impact on my Headwear school will be massive such that it will increase the relevance and importance of Milliners and Headwear designers to the fashion ecosystem as a whole because presently we’re not accorded the importance we truly deserve so me being featured on this international stage draws more attention and brings increased relevance to the craft.”
Millinery remains a niche field in Nigeria, but Adeola is determined to elevate its status.
“Yes, millinery is still a relatively niche field in Nigeria, and it can be sometimes perceived as non-lucrative or less dignifying, however, the more recognition that millinery gets both locally and internationally will nudge the aspiring young creatives to venture into it.
“Also, I strongly believe that the more financially successful Milliners we’re able to groom via teaching a balance of the making & business side of millinery, more young folks who might want to explore the Creative space will consider it based on the recognition it has attained and the financial rewards it offers.”
She also highlighted the unique role Nigerian milliners can play globally, saying, “In my opinion, Nigerian Milliners have a have such a unique role to play in the global fashion space because our craft is rooted in culture, creativity, and a bold self-expression style.
“While hats and headpieces are common in Europe and America, what sets Nigerian millinery apart is the fearless use of color, texture, and storytelling.
“Every gele-inspired fold, every dramatic fascinator, every turban twist carries with it a piece of our heritage. Nigerian milliners are currently dominating niche markets — weddings, high fashion, church hats, red-carpet events, and cultural festivals where statement headwear is a must.
“In essence, we can become cultural storytellers, sustainability leaders, and bold innovators in the global fashion space, bringing Africa’s creative energy to the world’s headwear scene.”
Regarding knowledge transfer to her students and the broader fashion community, Adeola stated, “The Allured by Ruby brand came into the Nigerian Millinery space via the knowledge impartation and teaching niche and hasn’t deviated from the mission.
“We’re constantly using every available medium to teach our audience globally not just millinery skills alone but other contemporary ideas needed to constantly evolve in an ever dynamic fashion world. We plan to continue to hold live streams, online classes, workshops, etc. to keep the knowledge transfer business going.”
Speaking on her long-term vision for the academy, Adeola says she remains focused on empowering women and spreading millinery education.
“The vision has remained the same; to provide women in Africa and beyond with top-notch millinery training, help them master the skill and transit them into generating sustainable income from their headwear products, expertise and experience.
“This international recognition is fulfilling the vision in itself because it’s another platform which has helped us take millinery training across the borders of Africa to the world stage and it can only get better from here onwards.”
On its part, the British Millinery Association shared why Adeola was chosen for the training.
“The Association has admired Adeola’s work and her millinery school for some time. We are always seeking to showcase tutors from diverse cultural backgrounds, and Africa has such a rich heritage of headwear.
“Until now, this was an area we hadn’t introduced to our members, so Adeola felt like the perfect choice to guide us through the artistry, techniques, and cultural significance of the Gele.”
On how they discovered her, the BMA added, “Through Instagram. Social media is a wonderful tool that allows us to connect with talented creatives from all over the world in just a matter of seconds.”
The association also highlighted the mutual benefits of the training, stating, “It’s hard to speak on Adeola’s behalf, but I know it was a huge benefit to us! Beyond this specific class, our members were introduced to the wider range of courses she offers, which may encourage them to take part in further training with her.
“Additionally, showcasing her work through our platform may inspire other international associations to collaborate with her too. Over the years, the BMA has inadvertently helped launch the international teaching careers of several millinery tutors, and I hope Adeola will benefit in a similar way.”
Explaining why a Nigerian was chosen, the BMA said, “Quite simply, Adeola stood out. From the videos she shared on Instagram, her clarity, professionalism and exquisite skills were immediately apparent.
“It was clear she was not only a talented milliner but also a gifted teacher. We were eager to learn from her and to explore a style completely new to many of our members. The tutorial was incredibly inspiring and comprehensive, leaving us with both knowledge and appreciation for the craft.”
Looking ahead, the BMA said, “Although we are based in Britain, the Association has grown into a truly global community. We offer online tutorials, business development talks, and a supportive, creative network.
“When we started the BMA just five years ago, we could never have imagined the reach and impact it would have worldwide.
“Our connection with Nigerian milliners is still in its early days, but we see this as the start of a growing relationship — one built on sharing skills, knowledge, and support as part of our ever-expanding international community.”
