At university, Bijou found herself living a long-held dream — studying architecture at UCL, a world-class institution. The experience was everything she had imagined and more. She was surrounded by new faces, exposed to fresh perspectives, and immersed in the thrill of creative learning. But along with the excitement came the weight of academic pressure and the relentless demands of an architectural degree.
Amid the whirlwind of projects and late nights, Bijou faced a practical challenge. Her laptop, the essential tool of her study, was an unconventional size & and expesive to replace, and finding a suitable case seemed impossible. Every day she worried about it getting damaged. Determined to find a solution, she did what she knew best — she created.
Rummaging through old belongings, Bijou came across a vibrant piece of Sierra Leonean wax print fabric. It was from a dress her mother had lovingly made years before, one she had long outgrown. But the fabric still held stories, memories, and a sense of home. With those scraps of cloth, she fashioned a laptop case — a bold, colorful statement of her culture and creativity.
Carrying that case through the university halls, Bijou quickly noticed the reactions it sparked. The striking print turned heads, drew compliments, and invited conversation. Friends and strangers alike would ask where she had bought it, intrigued by its originality. But for Bijou, it was more than a fashion statement. Each glance at the fabric reminded her of her family, her heritage, and the strength that ran through her roots. During the toughest moments of her studies, it served as a symbol of resilience and pride.
What began as a personal project soon became something much greater. Inspired by the joy and connection her design brought, Bijou set out to create more — not just for herself, but for others seeking to carry their own stories with them. From that first laptop case, BijouCREATES was born. Today, the brand celebrates West African heritage through fashion-forward accessories, encouraging people to embrace their identity and stand boldly in their uniqueness.
Through BijouCREATES, Bijou invites others to be brave, aspirational, and true to themselves — just as she did when she stitched together scraps of memory and made something beautiful.
