Victor Alao

Reimagining African heritage through contemporary fashion

When Victor Alao began the MSc Strategic Management course, he brought with him a background in engineering, entrepreneurship and fashion but also a larger ambition: to build a globally relevant fashion brand rooted in African heritage.

As Founder and Creative Director of CorrectShapers, Victor has developed a practice that merges craftsmanship, innovation and cultural storytelling. Through sculptural shapewear innovation and contemporary ready-to-wear, his work explores how indigenous Nigerian textiles such as Aso Oke can be positioned within modern luxury fashion.

Building a vision through enterprise and creativity

Before joining Derby, Victor had already established CorrectShapers, growing the label through digital commerce and production in Lagos, while supplying thousands of customers through major e-commerce platforms. But studying Strategic Management at Derby helped sharpen the strategic thinking behind the creative vision.

That thinking has shaped his recent creative evolution, particularly through his professionally recognised body of work, ARIKÉ and OKIN, collections developed following further professional fashion training and presented as an exploration of African textile narratives through contemporary design.

International recognition

Victor’s work has recently gained international recognition through awards and media coverage, including a Silver win at the French Fashion Awards and recognition from Global Recognition Awards for innovation and artistic accomplishment.

For Victor, these milestones represent more than personal success they affirm the relevance of African material culture within global fashion conversations.

“I want indigenous textiles to be seen not as historical references, but as living materials with contemporary potential.”

Beyond design, Victor’s work is grounded in purpose creating fashion that combines confidence, craftsmanship and function, while opening new conversations around cultural identity, sustainability and inclusive design.

His journey reflects a blend of entrepreneurship and creativity that continues to evolve across the UK and Nigeria, connecting cultural heritage with global audiences.

Looking ahead

Victor is now focused on expanding CorrectShapers internationally, deepening research into textile innovation, and contributing to wider cultural exchange through fashion.

For current Derby students and emerging creatives, his advice is simple:

“Use your education as a foundation, but let curiosity push beyond it. The most exciting opportunities often happen where disciplines meet.”

From Derby classrooms to international fashion recognition, Victor Alao’s journey shows how creativity, resilience and strategic thinking can turn heritage into contemporary relevance.