Huddaya Fadoul-Abacha has built one of Nigeria’s most distinctive fashion brands by trusting her eye, her discipline, and her commitment to refined craftsmanship. Over the years, her eponymous brand has grown from a small atelier in Abuja into a full-fledged design house spanning couture, bridal, ready-to-wear, home, and a fashion academy that continues to shape emerging talent. The evolution has been steady, intentional, and rooted in a clear point of view — elegance that is thoughtful, precise, and deeply considered.
Her recent show in Abuja marked an important moment for the brand: a declaration of scale, vision, and confidence from a designer who has spent years perfecting her foundation. And with her latest collection, Silent Opulence, Huddaya steps into a new chapter, exploring luxury through restraint, texture, and quiet depth.
In this interview, she opens up about her beginnings, the realities of building a fashion house in Abuja, the inspiration behind her newest work, and the future she is shaping for herself and the next generation of designers.
Congratulations on your show Hudayya. You started designing at a very young age, long before your brand became a household name. What has the journey being like so far?
Thank you! The journey has been nothing short of incredible, a true testimony of grace, passion, and perseverance. It hasn’t always been easy. There were seasons of doubt, sacrifice, and moments where I had to start again. I’ve had to learn, unlearn, and evolve not just as a designer, a woman, and an entrepreneur. But every challenge strengthened my vision. And each stage of the journey taught me something essential about craftsmanship, discipline, and the power of building something with purpose.
Your fashion journey wasn’t linear — you studied Biology and only later returned to design. What was the turning point that made you abandon the conventional route and build your own path?
After my NYSC, I had a very clear moment of self-realisation: I wasn’t cut out for a regimented life. I’m spontaneous by nature. I love freedom, creativity, and being in complete control of how I spend my time and where my energy goes. Biology was a beautiful chapter, but it wasn’t my calling. What truly excited me was designing, touching fabrics, sketching silhouettes, styling women, and bringing beauty to life.
The turning point came when I understood that fulfillment matters more than following a conventional path. I knew I wanted to build something of my own, so I followed that instinct, took the risk, and chose fashion.
And looking back, it was the best decision I ever made.
So the journey so far?
It has been humbling. It has been beautiful. It has been grace upon grace. And honestly, I feel like we are just getting started.
One thing Hudayya is known for is a blend of modesty, structure, and luxury. How much of that aesthetic comes from personal identity, upbringing, or faith?
It’s really a blend of all three — my personal identity, my upbringing, and my faith. By nature, I’m a conservative person, but I’ve always loved looking stylish, modern, and beautifully put-together. So when I started designing, I created pieces that reflected that balance: modesty without losing femininity, structure without losing softness, and luxury without losing comfort. I wanted clothes that made me feel confident, but also pieces that any woman, regardless of her personal style, could wear in her own way. That’s why the Hudayya aesthetic is so distinct: it’s rooted in who I am, but designed for every woman to interpret and embody in a way that feels true to her.
Again, back to your show. What did it represent for you and for the brand?
For me, this show was a revelation. The moment everything I’ve poured into this brand came full circle—years of quiet work, growth, resilience, perseverance and refining my craft. Building a brand is not for the faint-hearted; there were days that stretched me, tested me, and demanded more than I thought I had. But giving up was never an option, not when the vision was bigger than the challenges.
Standing there felt like stepping boldly into a new chapter. It wasn’t just a fashion show; it was a statement of who I am becoming as a designer and the standard of excellence I choose to uphold with every piece, every stitch, every collection. For the brand, it was a declaration that Hudayya is evolving and expanding. It showcased our craftsmanship, our attention to detail, and the depth of creativity that has shaped our journey so far. So yes, the show was a celebration — but it was also a promise. A promise that this is only the beginning, and the heights ahead of us are far greater.
Let’s also talk about the Silent Opulence collection. Where did the idea begin?
The idea for Silent Opulence began with my long-standing belief that true luxury doesn’t need to shout. I have always been drawn to subtlety. For me, luxury is intention, not excess; quality over quantity has always been my design philosophy. I wanted to create pieces that embodied that spirit. Luxurious, timeless, and able to stand the test of time. Pieces that feel modern yet classic, quiet yet powerful, simple yet deeply sophisticated. It became the foundation of the collection.
We went deeper into the craft by developing our own fabrics: custom silk organza with barely-there patterns, rich silk taffeta, silk crepe meticulously pleated for fluid movement, and printed textiles that added depth and dimension.
Every accessory in the collection was handcrafted and dyed to match our curated palette, ensuring a seamless finish. I wanted textiles and details that felt rare, festive, and elevated, yet still incredibly comfortable for the woman who wears them. Every choice from fabric to finishing reflects the essence of Silent Opulence: refined, intentional, and unforgettable.
You’ve created a fashion ecosystem: couture, bridal, RTW, home, and a design academy. Was this growth strategic, or did it unfold naturally over the years?
I would say it unfolded naturally, but with intention. Every part of the Hudayya ecosystem was born from a real need, either something I couldn’t find or something I deeply wanted to give.
The Ready-to-Wear line began very personally. I struggled to find modern, modest pieces that were fashionable and truly resonated with my lifestyle, so I started designing for myself. Before long, I discovered a community of like-minded women, the Hudayya Women, who wanted that same balance of elegance, ease, and contemporary modesty. The demand shaped the brand’s voice.
Couture, on the other hand, came from my love for creating one-of-one pieces, the kind of festive, statement looks that allow you to be creative.
And the Academy came from purpose. I didn’t attend fashion school, and I made so many avoidable mistakes starting out, mistakes that almost made me quit. I wanted young designers to have what I didn’t: structure, guidance, and mentorship. People rarely talk about how tough this industry is, but with the right support and mentorship, you can persevere.
Today, I’m proud that many of my students are now thriving designers and business owners. That, to me, is the true legacy. In the end, we’re not remembered for what we have, but for the lives we touch, which has always been at the heart of the Hudayya ecosystem.
Running a fashion house in Nigeria means navigating everything from sourcing to artisanal labour. What are the behind-the-scenes realities most people don’t see?
Running a fashion house in Nigeria is a beautiful journey, but the behind-the-scenes reality is far more complex than most people realise. One of the biggest challenges is sourcing. It’s unfortunate that we still have to produce and print most of our fabrics abroad, which directly affects timelines, access, and, of course, the final price of luxury pieces. Imagine building a Nigerian luxury brand with a global vision, yet relying on international systems to bring your ideas to life.
Then there’s the issue of artisanal labour. Nigerians are some of the most naturally gifted artisans in the world; their hands are magic, but there’s a shortage of properly trained talent. Most of the Hudayya team and artisans have been with me from the very beginning, and only a few joined in the last five years. That stability is rare in most businesses, and it’s part of what gives our work its soul. Meeting demand can be tough when you’re balancing production timelines, quality control, limited local resources, and the need for international sourcing. Yet, despite all this, Nigerian creativity continues to rise. The challenges force us to innovate, to build resilient structures, and to operate with a level of grit that shapes who we are as designers. And honestly, that’s what makes Nigerian luxury so unique it’s built with heart, intention, and tenacity that the world can feel in every piece.
When you think about the future of African luxury, what do you believe Nigeria — and brands like yours — are bringing to the global narrative?
When I think about the future of African luxury, I truly believe Nigeria is shaping a new chapter in the global narrative. Our strength lies in our authenticity the way we blend culture, craftsmanship, creativity, and contemporary design in a way that is entirely our own. Nigerian luxury isn’t trying to imitate anyone; it is rooted in identity, emotion, and storytelling. What we offer the world is a rare balance of cultural and modern design that feels global yet remains deeply true to who we are. Our creativity comes from navigating real challenges and transforming them into beauty that resonates with women everywhere. And more importantly, we are defining our own standards and our own narrative. We are showing that luxury is not defined by geography; it is defined by excellence, refinement, and originality. We are building our own ecosystems and global communities of women who champion, wear, and celebrate us with pride. So when I look ahead, I see Nigeria as a powerhouse and brands like mine contributing designs, stories, craftsmanship, and an authenticity that the world is more than ready to embrace.
The Abuja woman has a very specific mindset towards fashion — elegance, confidence, discretion. How do you design for her?
That’s an interesting question, but I’ll be honest, I don’t design with “the Abuja woman” specifically in mind. I design for any woman whose spirit aligns with the brand, whether she lives in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world. Naturally, many Abuja women gravitate toward the brand because they embody elegance, confidence, and discretion, but the Hudayya woman is not defined by geography. She is defined by her taste, her depth, her lifestyle, and the way she carries herself. My role is to create pieces that honour her world. Refined, intentional, beautifully made pieces that make her feel seen, understood, and celebrated.
What is the biggest misconception about luxury fashion in Nigeria that you wish people could unlearn?
One of the biggest misconceptions about luxury fashion in Nigeria is the belief that a high price tag automatically equals luxury. It doesn’t. True luxury is not defined by cost; it is defined by quality, craftsmanship, intention, and value. You experience luxury in the finishing, the fabric, the fit, and the experience, not just the number attached to it.
Another misconception is the idea that certain designers “own” specific styles. No one has a monopoly on fashion. Style evolves, trends shift, and every designer draws inspiration from somewhere. What truly matters is how you reinterpret that inspiration through your brand’s DNA — your creativity, your perspective, your craftsmanship.
If you could describe the business of fashion in one truth most people don’t know, what would it be?
Fashion is 20% design and 80% business. The business of fashion is far more grit than glamour. Most people don’t realise that the real work happens behind the scenes, managing production, artisans, overheads, logistics, clients, and an endless amount of problem-solving. The artistry brings the vision to life, but it’s the structure that keeps the brand alive.
When you imagine the next decade of Hudayya — what excites you the most?
I’m excited about growing our ecosystem, elevating our couture, expanding our ready-to-wear, evolving our home line, and scaling the Academy so we can train and empower even more young creatives. want Hudayya to be a symbol of excellence, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa and the world.
But beyond the business, what excites me the most is the impact on the lives we touch, the upcoming designers we will train, the women we will inspire, and the legacy we will build. The next decade, for me, is about purpose meeting expansion, creativity meeting global recognition.
If you hadn’t become a designer, what other world do you think you would have built for yourself?
if fashion hadn’t claimed me, I would have been designing homes, curating spaces, and telling stories through interiors. It’s another world where I feel completely at home.
And finally, when the world looks back at the Hudayya years from now, what would you want it to remember most?
When the world looks back at Hudayya years from now, I want it to remember far more than the clothes — I want it to remember the impact. I want people to say that Hudayya stood for excellence, intention, and craftsmanship at the highest level.
I want them to remember the women we inspired, the upcoming designers we trained, the dreams we nurtured, and the legacy we built through consistency, purpose, and grace.
But above all, I want them to remember how Hudayya made them feel — seen, celebrated, and genuinely special. Because long after the clothes have faded, the feeling remains.
