ALARA is the creation of design enthusiast, Reni Folawiyo, dedicated to the celebration of contemporary African luxury, feauturing the finest works of design, fashion, art, and food. Located in Victoria Island, Lagos, the ALARA flagship concept store was designed by world renowned architect, David Adjaye OBE, one of the world’s leading architects with a portfolio that includes commissions such as
the $500 million Smithsonian National Museum of African American Culture and History, and the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo. David created a first-of-its-kind exhibition-style retail masterpiece in the heart of Nigeria's commercial capital. The store features a multi-level design and art gallery, rooftop terrace and restaurant within 3,200 square feet of unique architecture. ALARA is benchmarked against Colette, Paris; 10 Corso Como, Milan; and London's Dover Street Market, for service, quality and brand mix. ALARA features international luxury and fashion brands for men and women, and is the first company in West Africa to officially retail brands such as Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Oscar de la Renta and Stella McCartney, Valentino, Zuhair Murad and Elie Saab. ALARA will soon be the first retailer in West Africa to stock the renowned French designer brand, Christian Louboutin. Alongside these international brands, ALARA also supports internationally acclaimed African designers such as Maki Oh, Duro Olowu and Loza Malheombo, and has begun projects supporting and exposing emerging African designers and artists in both fashion, interiors and visual art. The 60-seater restaurant offers Nigerian and Pan-African fine-dining cuisine in its uniquely designed space, and features a terrace garden bar with capacity for up to 150 guests. NOK is led by the New York-based Executive Chef, Pierre Thiam, who is renowned for his evolution of the African fusion genre of cuisine.
