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Ayo Van Elmar (AVE) was birthed in the mind of

Motunrayo Olaogun in 2011, shortly after she gained

admission into the University of Applied Arts in

Vienna in the winter of 2010 to study Fashion design

under Bernhard Wilhelm and Hussein Chalayan.

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While studying, she celebrated the idea and

the future of the founded fashion label with

friends and family, participated in fashion shows and

events but was not commercial active, though she

regularly debuted capsule collections. 

 

In September 2015, Ayo Van Elmar opened its

first showroom in the Lekki neighbourhood

of Lagos, Nigeria.

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However, business did not commence until AVE

 moved its store into the large window front space

at the renowned 5 star Lagos Oriental Hotel and

started the Ayo Van Elmar Fashion Cafe,

a fusion of fashion, healthy food and lifestyle.

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Ayo Van Elmar enjoyed several collaborations and

partnerships with various artists across music,

film, fashion and lifestyle. In 2019, the brand

released its final collection.

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After two years of restructuring, re-strategising, and taking a step back to redefine its purpose, AVE

has relaunched and repositioned itself

as a sustainable, ethical and conscious

made-in-Africa brand in 2022.

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