By Yemisi Suleiman

Tokunbo Fasoro is the visionary founder behind Lioness by TF, a brand that seamlessly blends African heritage with contemporary elegance to empower women across the globe. From her early days in Kaduna, Nigeria, to building a thriving international fashion house in the UK, Tokunbo’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and unwavering purpose. More than a fashion entrepreneur, she is a mentor, author, and an advocate for women’s empowerment, using her platform to inspire and uplift.

In this exclusive interview, she opens up about her upbringing, business pivots, relocating to the UK, and her passionate drive to elevate other women through fashion, coaching, and philanthropy.

Beyond the titles and business success, who is Tokunbo Fasoro?

I’m a woman of many parts. Beyond the titles, I’m someone deeply passionate about purpose, impact, and expression. I’m a mother, a mentor, a faith-driven woman who believes in living intentionally. I find joy in creativity, but also in structure. I’m driven by a desire to help women rise and live fulfilled lives, and I do that through fashion, writing, coaching, and philanthropy.

What was growing up like and what were some defining moments that shaped your personality and creative journey?

I grew up in Kaduna, Nigeria, in a home that balanced discipline with inspiration. My mother, an accountant and fashion entrepreneur, was my earliest influence. Watching her dress every morning with grace and confidence sparked my love for style. I also started designing at 17 and sold items to support less privileged students in school. That sense of purpose has never left me.

What role did this play in shaping your love for fashion and entrepreneurship?

I had loved fashion as a child, I loved to watch movies with a fashion undertone and would always seek out glossy fashion magazines to read. More importantly, my journey has been deeply influenced by my mother. I watched her dance in front of the mirror every morning with admiration, an accountant who also ran a thriving fashion business on the side. Watching her navigate boardrooms by day and fashion consultations by evening taught me that women can succeed in multiple spaces, and that passion and professionalism can coexist beautifully.

That dual legacy became the foundation of my own path. While building a fulfilling career as an international HR professional, I eventually started my own HR consulting company, to plan my time better and express myself in other ways such as, creating my own fashion brand on the side.

In 2018, I launched Zito Gems, a jewelry brand designed to celebrate elegance and boost women’s confidence. I later founded Clara’s Signature, a bespoke fashion line named after my mother, allowing me to honour her legacy through every piece. These ventures gave me the space to express my creativity while growing professionally in the corporate world. It played a massive role. I witnessed firsthand what it meant to be a strong, stylish, and resourceful woman. My mother didn’t have to choose between being a professional and a creative, she did both gracefully. That duality showed me it was possible, and I grew up embracing both ambition and artistry.

Before fashion became your main focus, you built a solid career in Human Resources. What inspired the shift?

I spent over 15 years as a global HR professional, earning certifications (PHRi, SHRM-CP, GPHR, ACIPM), consulting and training organisations in Nigeria, and working as a subject expert in the United States. But fashion always pulled me back. I would always come back to my fashion business in the evenings and at weekends. I never left fashion. It had always been part of my life, even while studying at university.

The shift was purpose-driven. HR gave me the tools and discipline to build systems, work with people, and lead professionally. But fashion was always calling me. It was more than an interest, it was a gift that kept showing up. Over time, the pull to create, to empower through fashion, became too strong to ignore.

How did you manage balancing both worlds?

Intention and planning. I didn’t see fashion as a hobby, so I treated it with the same level of seriousness as my HR career. I invested in professional certifications while building brands like Zito Gems and Clara’s Signature on the side. It was a juggling act, but my passion kept me focused.

Was there a specific turning point that made you decide it was time to pursue fashion fully?

Yes. Relocating to the UK was that moment. It felt like a divine reset. Although I wrestled with fear and grief leaving behind a thriving Nigeria-based business and was sad that I was going to start from the bottom of the pyramid, one night in prayer, the voice came: “You’re not starting at the bottom.” This is the opportunity you have to build that global brand you had always desired. It was like a light bulb! That clarity unleashed Lioness by TF. And in three months, we were shipping to the USA, Canada, Australia, France, UAE, and beyond.

I had built something solid in Nigeria, but starting over pushed me to ask what I truly wanted. One day, I felt God whisper, “You’re not starting over; you’re building what I showed you at 15.” That was the birth of Lioness by TF.

What is the story behind the brand name and its creation?

Lioness by TF was born from a deep desire to blend cultural pride with contemporary elegance. I wanted to create statement pieces that carried strength and softness just like a lioness. The brand reflects the modern woman who is powerful, stylish, and unapologetic about her roots. It’s not just clothing; it’s a movement.

On relocating to the UK, what was that transition like for you, personally and professionally?

It was emotional. I left behind a thriving life in Nigeria, my businesses, networks, and familiarity. At first, it felt like a loss. But it quickly became clear that it was an opportunity to rebuild with a global perspective. It stretched me, humbled me, but ultimately empowered me.

How did moving from Nigeria to the UK impact your brand’s identity and business model?

It helped me refine our aesthetic to fit a global market while staying authentic. It also taught me the value of systems, compliance, and branding in new ways. We shifted to a ready-to-wear model and committed to ethical UK-based production. It made the brand more structured and scalable.

Would you say relocating challenged or strengthened your vision as a fashion entrepreneur?

Both. It was a new environment for me, new people, differences in culture. I must say it was tough at the beginning. It tested my resilience. Starting afresh meant building from the ground up. I had to be everything, creative, marketer, packer, and strategist. I made a lot of mistakes, but I learned from them. Today, I help young brands navigate easier without having to make such mistakes, but in a positive way.

For me, it also clarified my vision. It reminded me that I’m not doing this for applause but for impact. That strengthened my drive. Also, the shift reset my quality benchmarks, expanded my network, and refined my vision. I emerged stronger, more disciplined, more culturally grounded.

As a Nigerian international designer, how do you strike that balance between heritage and modernity?

I stay true to the essence of who I am. I don’t try to water down the culture, I elevate it with cuts, fabrics, and finishes that speak to a modern audience. Our Agbada Kimonos are a perfect example, rich in story but designed for global wardrobes.

What piece or design would you say best represents the essence of Lioness by TF?

Definitely our Agbada Kimonos. This signature piece reinvents the Agbada into modern Kimono designs that reinterpret traditional West African attire into a structured, wearable, statement silhouette that cuts across the world. It’s bold, elegant, and timeless.

They’re versatile, bold, regal, and effortlessly stylish. You can dress them up or down, wear them across seasons, and feel empowered the moment you put them on.

From being featured in the British Vogue, New York Weekly and showcasing at the New York Fashion Week, Your brand has gained global traction over time. What do you think has driven this rapid international acceptance?

Authenticity, storytelling, quality,[ excellence, and integrity. All these are reflected in the way the brand was projected from day one. This also includes the quality of our production, our showcases, and in all that we do. People connect with truth and intention. From the moment we launched, we were clear on who we are and what we stand for, style with substance. Add to that great craftsmanship, and word naturally spreads.

How do you measure success beyond media features and sales?

Impact! When a woman wears our piece and tells me she feels powerful, that’s success. When a mentee starts her own fashion brand because she saw me do it, that’s success. Or when someone is inspired by our story, that’s success. For me, it’s about legacy, not just visibility.

Outside fashion, you also run Elevate by TF. What inspired your move into business coaching and mentorship?

I have always been passionate about helping women succeed. Elevate by TF was born out of the need I saw, women with passion but no structure, with ideas but no clarity or no idea at all. Every woman was born with a gift, an innate ability given by God to solve a problem on earth. I believe strongly that I have been gifted to help many of these women find their space and own it! I started offering mentorship and workshops, and it’s grown into a powerful platform impacting hundreds of women.

What has been one of the most fulfilling moments in your journey of empowering women through your initiatives?

Every moment, I must say, and I’ll tell you why. I grew up struggling with low self-esteem, and I remember people coming to my parents and telling them to stop wasting their time on me because I could never amount to anything in life. Unfortunately, I believed them, and I struggled for many years.

My mission now is to ensure that no woman I encounter struggles like I did. Helping a woman believe she can become who she desires to be, and seeing her do the work to become that woman, makes me feel deeply fulfilled. Knowing I had a hand in that transformation is truly priceless.

Can you share some life or business lessons you’ve learned on this journey, especially through challenges or setbacks?

You have something amazing inside of you and the world is waiting for your expression. Stop thinking small, aim towards the pinnacle of your mountain of influence. Those who are high up there do not have two heads. My faith also plays a critical role in overcoming challenges. In all, God has been faithful to me. I seek Him and He helps me; He is my number one source of inspiration.

Tell us more about your books. What inspired you to write, and what do you hope readers take away from them?

I wrote The Persistent Woman to share my raw, faith-filled journey through rejection, healing, and purpose. It’s deeply personal. It’s the story of my life and how I overcame 20 years of rejection. The revised version will be launched in November 2025. I am excited and looking forward to it.

My other book: Walking Your Way Into Career Success is a guide for anyone navigating their careers with clarity and intention. I want readers to feel seen, equipped, and inspired.

In what ways exactly are you using your platform to support communities in Nigeria and beyond?

Through the Bi Empowerment Initiative, we provide vocational training, mentorship, and seed funding to women in underserved communities. From Lagos slums to UK networks, we’re changing narratives. We also donate proceeds from Lioness by TF to empower women entrepreneurs and to empower women in many ways to be limitless. Our fashion shows are two-in-one events, where we not only showcase but also have panel discussions to inspire women into greatness. We are “A Brand with a Purpose.”

How do you personally define purpose and success in this current phase of your life?

Purpose is alignment, doing what you’re created to do, even when no one is watching. Success, for me, is impact. It’s the lives touched, the stories rewritten, and the legacy built.

What’s next for Tokunbo Fasoro both in business and in life?

I am building Lioness by TF into a global fashion house rooted in heritage and elegance. I’m scaling Elevate by TF to empower thousands more women. Personally, I want to keep growing, keep serving, and keep walking in God’s will for my life, shining as a light and empowering and inspiring others to do so as well.

The dream is to create a legacy where women rise like lionesses.