Can You Wear Your Heritage Every Day? – An Interview With Barakat Olaniyan
When fashion designer Barakat Olaniyan met members of the Nigerian and wider African diaspora in the UK, she saw how music, food, and traditions helped people stay connected to home. It made her think about what clothing could do, a question that led her to found BethanyKulture, a fashion label that brings African craftsmanship into contemporary design.
In this exclusive interview, Olaniyan discusses what a handwoven Yoruba textile can teach us about quiet luxury, what the fashion industry still gets wrong about Afrocentric design, and what she learned from creating an outfit for a client who used a breathing tube.
Barakat Olaniyan, Fashion Designer & Cultural Fashion Expert
What inspired you to create BethanyKulture, and how did your vision for connecting African heritage with contemporary fashion begin?
BethanyKulture was inspired by an experience I had while meeting people in the Nigerian and African diaspora in the United Kingdom. I noticed how intentional they were about preserving and celebrating elements of their cultures, from music and food to dance, traditions, and other familiar expressions of home. It made me realize that, regardless of where people are born or where life takes them, there is an inherent desire to feel connected to their roots and have a sense of belonging.
I began thinking about the different ways people express their identity, and clothing stood out to me as one of the most powerful. What we wear can communicate where we come from, what we value, and the stories we carry.
That realization became the foundation of BethanyKulture. I wanted to create a brand that allows people to embrace their heritage while expressing themselves through contemporary fashion. My vision was never simply to recreate traditional clothing but to bring cultural influences into modern design in a way that feels personal, elegant, and timeless.
How has your background in sociology and in user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design influenced the way you design clothing and think about the people wearing it?
My background in sociology and UI/UX design has given me a multidisciplinary perspective on fashion and the people who wear it. Studying sociology helped me understand how people interact, form communities, relate to social groups, and develop a sense of identity and belonging. It also made me more conscious of how culture, social class, history, and shared experiences influence the way people express themselves. I began to see clothing as more than something we wear. It can communicate identity, cultural affiliation, personal values, and even the eras or movements people connect with.
My understanding of UI/UX design brought a focus on functionality and attention to detail to my design process. It taught me to think about the experience of the person using or wearing something. For instance, the placement of a pocket or zipper should serve a purpose beyond aesthetics. It should make an outfit practical, comfortable, and easy to wear. Together, these disciplines have shaped my philosophy that clothing should not only look beautiful but also communicate meaning and serve the person wearing it.
When creating a new collection, how do you decide which elements of African heritage to preserve and which to reinterpret for a modern audience?
When creating a new collection, I consider both the cultural significance of the elements I want to incorporate and how they can translate into contemporary fashion. I believe heritage should be respected, but it can also evolve in the way it is expressed.
I pay attention to current trends, silhouettes, colours, textures, and styling and then explore which cultural elements can complement those directions without losing their identity. For example, raffia is a traditional material that can be reinterpreted through contemporary designs featuring fringe details, adding texture, movement, and a distinctive character to an outfit.
For me, the goal is to find a balance between preservation and innovation. I want the cultural elements to remain recognizable and meaningful while allowing the overall design to feel relevant to today’s audience. Ultimately, I approach heritage as a source of creative inspiration rather than a limitation, finding thoughtful ways to bring its richness into modern fashion.
What do you think the fashion industry still misunderstands about Afrocentric design and its place in global fashion?
I think one of the major misunderstandings about Afrocentric design is the perception that it is primarily local, traditional, or culturally specific, rather than a fashion language that can exist and thrive in high fashion worldwide. There is sometimes a tendency to view fashion inspired by African heritage as something reserved for cultural celebrations or special occasions, overlooking its potential for contemporary luxury, everyday wear, innovative construction, and sophisticated design. I believe this perspective limits recognition of the creativity, craftsmanship, textiles, techniques, and design possibilities that African heritage offers.
Afrocentric design should not have to lose its cultural identity to be considered modern, sophisticated, or globally relevant. It deserves to occupy the same space as other established design languages in the international fashion industry.
For me, the opportunity lies in changing that perception by demonstrating that cultural influence and contemporary luxury are not opposing ideas. They can coexist, influence one another, and contribute meaningfully to the future of global fashion.
BethanyKulture embraces the idea of quiet luxury. What does luxury mean to you when cultural identity and craftsmanship are at the heart of a design?
For me, luxury has always been more about substance than display. I gravitate towards understated luxury, particularly the old money aesthetic, where quality, refinement, and attention to detail speak for themselves without needing to be loud. I would say this preference is also an extension of my personality and naturally influences the creative direction of BethanyKulture.
When cultural identity and craftsmanship are at the heart of a design, luxury takes on an even deeper meaning. There is so much richness within African heritage, particularly in the textiles, techniques, and stories behind traditional craftsmanship. A good example is Aso Oke, a handwoven Yoruba textile often associated with important ceremonies and celebrations. Beyond its appearance, the fabric’s intricate weaving process, the skill it requires, and its cultural significance give it inherent value.
I believe true luxury is about recognizing that value and translating it thoughtfully into contemporary designs. It is not always about making a statement through extravagance. Sometimes, the craftsmanship and story behind a piece are enough to make it exceptional.
For women living between different cultures, how can clothing help them stay connected to their heritage while expressing their individuality?
I believe clothing can be a powerful way for women living between different cultures to maintain a connection with their heritage while embracing their individuality. It begins with understanding where you come from, appreciating the experiences and traditions that have shaped you, and recognizing how much you have evolved.
For me, embracing contemporary influences does not mean abandoning my cultural identity. Rather, it creates an opportunity to appreciate the richness of both worlds. A woman can incorporate elements of her heritage into her everyday wardrobe while exploring different silhouettes, styles, and expressions that reflect her present environment and personality.
I think this balance gives women the freedom to evolve without feeling disconnected from their roots. It also broadens their perspectives, encourages cultural appreciation, and allows them to express themselves with confidence.
Ultimately, you do not have to choose between where you come from and where you are going. Both can exist beautifully in the way you dress and express yourself.
What advice would you give someone who wants to incorporate more of their cultural identity into their everyday style without feeling limited by traditional expectations?
My advice would be to give yourself the freedom to explore. Incorporating your cultural identity into your everyday style should feel exciting and personal, not like an obligation or a set of rules you have to follow.
Find a balance between the cultural elements that resonate with you and the styles that reflect your personality and lifestyle. You can do this through fabrics, prints, accessories, colours, silhouettes, or even subtle details. You don’t have to wear traditional clothing from head to toe to express your heritage, just as you don’t have to follow every cultural expectation to remain connected to your roots.
Fashion is a way to express yourself, and there should always be room for individuality within cultural identity. Experiment, discover what makes you feel comfortable and confident, and allow your style to evolve naturally.
Ultimately, do what feels authentic to you. Your culture is part of your story, but you get to decide how you tell it through what you wear.
You describe fashion as a form of storytelling. Has there been a particular design or client experience that reminded you why this matters?
Absolutely. As a designer, I have worked with clients whose clothing needs were connected to significant moments in their lives, from weddings, graduations, and new jobs to times when they simply wanted to redefine their personal style. Each design carries a story, but one particular experience reminded me just how meaningful my role as a designer could be.
I once worked with a woman who relied on a breathing tube positioned in her chest. Finding suitable clothing that accommodated her medical equipment was a challenge, as conventional designs did not adequately consider her needs. I had to look beyond aesthetics and develop a design that accommodated the tube comfortably while still making her feel well dressed.
That experience stayed with me because it showed me that fashion design is also about solving problems. It reminded me that clothing should accommodate real people and their individual circumstances. Sometimes, the most meaningful thing a designer can create is not simply a beautiful outfit but a solution that gives someone comfort, confidence, and the freedom to dress without limitations.
Looking ahead, what kind of impact do you hope BethanyKulture will have on how future generations experience and express African heritage?
Looking ahead, I hope BethanyKulture becomes a global fashion brand that makes cultural expression a natural part of everyday dressing for future generations. I want to help change the perception that Afrocentric design is limited to local or traditional contexts or reserved for cultural celebrations. I want future generations to see it as something they can confidently embrace in their everyday lives, in different settings and on different occasions.
My vision is for BethanyKulture to create a seamless blend of cultural heritage and contemporary fashion, allowing people to appreciate where they come from while embracing the world around them. I want the brand to remain relevant beyond trends, building a timeless design language rooted in identity, craftsmanship, and thoughtful creativity.
Ultimately, I hope BethanyKulture will contribute to a future where cultural identity is celebrated rather than diluted and where people can wear their heritage with the same confidence and elegance as any other expression of personal style.
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