Lani Adeoye is not your average designer. She is a Nigerian-Canadian artist, consultant and founder of Studio Lani, a design brand that creates furniture, lighting, wearables and assistance devices with a universal appeal and a deep sense of place, history and identity. She is also the first African designer to win the prestigious Salone Satellite award at Milan Design Week 2022 for her innovative RemX walker, which merges elegance and dignity in a useful object for all.
Lani’s journey into design was not a conventional one. She started her career as a management consultant in Toronto after graduating from McGill University with a Bachelor of Commerce, Information Systems, Marketing and Global Strategy. However, she felt a strong pull towards her creative side and decided to pursue her passion for design at Parsons School of Design in New York. There, she discovered her unique voice and vision as a designer who blends contemporary design with traditional craftsmanship, as well as her Nigerian heritage.
Lani’s designs are inspired by the rhythms, forms and stories of West African culture, especially those of Nigeria, where she spent the first 12 years of her life. She draws on timeless traditions to create objects that radiate warmth, unity and dignity, while also addressing modern needs and challenges. Her works are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional, empathetic and meaningful.
Some of her notable works include the Talking Drum collection, which features furniture and lighting pieces that resemble the iconic West African percussion instrument; the Ekaabo collection, which celebrates Nigerian diversity and hospitality through pendant lights made from woven raffia; and the RemX walker, which reimagines the conventional mobility aid as a stylish and ergonomic device that can be customized to suit different users and contexts.
Lani’s designs have been widely recognized and acclaimed by the international design community. Her works have been acquired for the permanent collections of institutions such as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Die Neue Sammlung in Munich. She has also won several awards for her design excellence, such as the WantedDesign Launch Pad Furniture Award Competition in New York in 2017, the Dezeen Awards 2023 judge recognition, and the Elle Décor Women of the World: 75 Global Female Designers Worth Celebrating issue in 2020. She has also been featured in publications such as Interior Design and Phaidon.
Lani is not only a successful designer, but also a teacher and mentor. She currently teaches at Parsons School of Design, where she shares her knowledge and experience with the next generation of designers. She also collaborates with industry partners to create memorable objects and experiences for a global audience.
Lani Adeoye is a trailblazer in the world of design. She is making history by showcasing the richness and diversity of African design, while also creating solutions that enhance people’s lives. She is a role model for aspiring designers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. She is a first-class Nigerian designer who deserves to be celebrated.
You are great and very imaginative, Lani. Keep pushing the envelope and expanding the boundaries of what is possible. We are happy for you today. You are an excellent role model for the younger African and a true Rising African. Rising Africa is a vibrant platform that showcases the outstanding accomplishments of Africans around the world and gives youth in Africa the most recent information about scholarships and sponsorship opportunities. Our goal is to demonstrate the unique achievements and skills of Africans in a variety of disciplines, including technology, business, the arts and culture, and social activism, in order to motivate and empower the next generation of African leaders.
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