David Wej to open first UK store in London

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Feb 17, 2021

From Lagos to London. Ambitious premium menswear retailer David Wej is to open its first UK store as a statement of intent. “We want to bring Nigerian fashion and culture to the rest of the world starting in London”.

The 13-year-old Lagos-headquartered retailer will offer the brand’s “affordable, quality, signature fashion”, including traditionally inspired bespoke jacquard suits, classic shirts and accessories.

With an opening date expected in March, the 1,360 sq ft store in Great Portland Street “will be serving our customers in the United Kingdom, Europe, United States and Canada, pending our presence at those locations”, said Adedayo Eweje, creative director of David Wej. 

He added that the chosen location near Oxford Street makes a “bold statement about our focus and ambition… where we can effectively tell the Lagos and Nigerian fashion story”.

Eweje also said making this decision to open when London was still in retail lockdown shouldn’t be judged as a gamble. “Covid-19 will soon be a thing of the past and we are strategically positioning the brand by offering online sales from the same location”, he explained. 

“We want to be able to better serve our UK and European customers. Post pandemic, the fashion landscape will most definitely change and we will be well positioned to respond to the changing appetite that our customers demand”.

Eweje added: “We are a proudly Nigerian brand. I want to pave the way for other African designers especially during this critical time where diversity in fashion is such a huge conversation. This move is not just about us expanding as a brand but about putting Nigeria on the global fashion map”.