
Cynthia Asije
Fashion Designer of the YearNIDA 2025, third edition
Biography
Cynthia Asije is the founder and creative director of Adirelounge, a contemporary African–European textile brand preserving and innovating the centuries-old tradition of Adire dyeing. She is recognized for pioneering water-efficient dyeing processes and integrating technology such as AI-assisted pattern design and digital impact labelling into heritage textile production.
Her work bridges craftsmanship in Nigeria with sustainable innovation in Europe, creating hand-dyed fabrics that serve both fashion houses and conscious lifestyle brands worldwide. Cynthia has built Adirelounge into a platform that empowers local artisans, supports ethical production systems, and showcases the cultural depth of indigenous dye techniques.
She has represented her brand in international accelerators and pitch events like Google Women Program, European Innovation Culture & Creativity, Techstars, won awards for the innovation, earning recognition for her vision of a tech-powered, culturally anchored textile ecosystem.
Her mission is to make Adire one of the world’s most respected artisanal fabrics through contemporary design, impact transparency, and global collaborations.
Cynthia continues to expand Adirelounge’s presence across B2B wholesale, pattern licensing, and sustainable textile innovation while championing African craft heritage on the global stage.
Editorial note: The live site’s card shows “Hakeem Adesanya” for this award, but the photo and biography are Cynthia Asije’s. Shown here as Cynthia Asije — please confirm.
Biography as published by NIDA for the 2025 awards.




