Armed with a Master's degree in Environment, Development, and Environmental Policy from the University of Sussex and a Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology from the University of Lagos, her transition into fashion is one deeply rooted in environmental insight.
Before Tuntunre, Temilade founded Eco-Champions, a youth-led organisation empowering thousands of young Africans with tools for climate action. However, after years of leading environmental programmes globally, she realised that the next frontier of impact lay in the circular economy: turning waste into valuable products. In her own words, "I realized that the most effective way to address the waste crisis was to create a circular model that actually works. We had to move from talking about the problem to manufacturing the solution."
That solution became Tuntunre. A brand whose name means "this is new," despite its products being crafted from recycled denim. By taking discarded jeans and used clothing and transforming them into fashion pieces, Tuntunre gives waste a second chance while reducing the need for new production.
This matters even more when one considers that producing just one new pair of jeans requires approximately 7,500 litres of water. Through upcycling, Tuntunre creates stylish products with zero additional cost.
Yet, beyond helping the planet, Tuntunre's mission stretches further. The brand actively reduces carbon footprints, protects marine ecosystems from textile waste, and creates green jobs for women by training local artisans in manufacturing through sewing. In this way, every Tuntunre piece is not only environmentally conscious but socially impactful.
From key holders to purses, lanyards, laptop cases, Kekere handbags, Lagos tote bags, and much more, Tuntunre continues redefining the future of African fashion. The brand proves that sustainability does not have to compromise style. In repurposing waste into statement pieces, Tuntunre reminds us that fashion's future may not lie in creating more, but in creating better, creating smarter, and creating with purpose.
