Meet the Finalist: ADIBYGRACE - Àyaba Èṣìẹ̀: The Woman Who Remains
Some fashion designs are created to make an impression. Others are created to make people remember. For ADIBYGRACE, fashion becomes a vessel for memory, drawing from an ancient story and reimagining its meaning through contemporary design.
[image1]As a finalist in Nurture, ADIBYGRACE presents Àyaba Èṣìẹ̀ - The Woman Who Remains, a concept inspired by the history, traditions and enduring legacy associated with the people of Èṣìẹ̀ and the distinctive soapstone figures connected to their story. Whether viewed through the lens of history, cultural memory or oral tradition, the figures provide a compelling foundation for a design centred on remembrance and renewal.
At the heart of the piece is the idea of giving an old memory a living form. Its sculptural character draws from the stillness and presence associated with the Èṣìẹ̀ figures, while elements of Adire introduce movement and a distinctly Nigerian textile language. Together, these elements create a visual conversation between the ancient and the contemporary, the preserved and the renewed.
[image2]Sustainability further strengthens the concept, with reclaimed and repurposed materials incorporated into the construction. Materials that might otherwise have been discarded are given renewed purpose, echoing the central idea of the design: fragments of the past can be transformed into something capable of carrying memory into the future.
Yet the full character of the design cannot be captured through words alone. Its sculptural construction, textures and intricate interpretation of the concept are details that are best experienced when the complete work takes its place before an audience.
[image3]That moment is approaching. At The Big Four Experience on August 29, 2026, the red carpet begins at 1:00 p.m., followed by the main event at 2:00 p.m., as the finalists of Nurture bring their interpretations of Fashion Is Art into the spotlight.
ADIBYGRACE offers a vision of fashion that reaches beyond clothing. Through form, textile, sustainability and cultural memory, Àyaba Èṣìẹ̀ explores how design can preserve stories, connect generations and give forgotten memories another opportunity to be seen.
For now, the woman remains. Soon, the stage will reveal her story.