Award-winning reality star and fashion influencer Alex Unusual has sparked a national conversation on fashion waste and sustainability following her candid remarks at the virtual launch of TABEX (The Asoebi Boutique Exchange.)
“Celebrities are under constant pressure not to repeat clothes. It’s an unspoken rule that drives many of us into buying more than we need,” Alex revealed during the event.
Her statement drew attention to the culture of excessive consumption that dominates Nigeria’s fashion and entertainment industries.
TABEX, co-founded by Modupe Sanni, Dr. May Ikeora, and Philip Uwumarogie, is a new digital platform aimed at tackling fashion waste by transforming the way Nigerians engage with occasion wear particularly Aso-Ebi, the traditional, custom-tailored attire worn at weddings, funerals, and celebrations.
The platform allows users to shop, sell, and donate pre-loved outfits, making sustainability both accessible and fashionable.
“Nigerians spend millions every year on clothes they only wear once,” said co-founder Modupe Sanni.
“Fashion in Nigeria is rich and expressive, but it’s time to embrace a new mindset. Sustainability is stylish too.”
The platform launched amid growing concerns over the global environmental impact of the fashion industry.
According to the World Bank, fashion is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and produces 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually; a figure expected to rise to 134 million tonnes by 2030.
In Nigeria, these global challenges are mirrored locally by the culture of purchasing new Aso-Ebi for every event, contributing significantly to waste.
From fabric sourcing and tailoring to the logistics of event dressing, the environmental cost of single-use occasion wear is substantial.
More than a resale platform, TABEX is building a community-driven ecosystem. The initiative works with local fashion businesses, tailors, and stylists to curate collections of gently-used occasion wear.
A portion of every sale goes to support charities like the Raising Women Initiative, which helps women and girls in underserved communities.
Users also have the option to donate clothes directly, turning once-worn outfits into tools for change.
“Using TABEX is more than a shopping decision; it’s a statement,” said Dr. Ikeora.
“It’s about making conscious choices that uplift others and reduce harm to our planet.”
To expand its reach, TABEX is planning pop-up events, including sip-and-shop experiences, and will participate in major fashion showcases such as GT Fashion Weekend and Lagos Fashion Week.
The platform is also partnering with Nigerian designers to upcycle discarded fabrics into high-end fashion pieces, proving that sustainability and style can go hand in hand.
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