Meet the Bead Bag Queen: How Aisha Mustapha’s ‘Maria Champ’ is Taking Nigerian Craft Global

Meet the Bead Bag Queen: How Aisha Mustapha’s ‘Maira Champ’ is Taking Nigerian Craft Global

At this year’s GTCO Fashion Weekend, one standout exhibitor turning heads was Aisha Mustapha, the creative mind behind Maira Champ, a fast-rising Nigerian brand redefining bead artistry through luxury handbags and accessories.

Founded during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Maira Champ has grown from a small creative pursuit into a globally recognized label. The brand’s specialty lies in its bold, uniquely shaped bead bags — intricately handcrafted pieces that fuse traditional beadwork with contemporary fashion design.

In just five years, Aisha has sold over 4,000 bags worldwide, with clients spanning Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Ireland, China, Ghana, Benin Republic, Senegal, Afghanistan, and beyond.

“Our bags are not your regular bead bags — they are statement pieces,” she explained, emphasizing that the brand’s philosophy is built around “affordable luxury.” Each piece, priced between ₦50,000 and ₦150,000, is meticulously made, sometimes taking up to three to four days to complete.

This year marked Aisha’s first exhibition at GTCO Fashion Weekend, and the experience proved rewarding. “Most of the buyers we met were new customers who had only seen us online. Seeing the products in person made them fall in love instantly,” she said, expressing gratitude for the exposure and visibility the platform offered.

However, she suggested a small improvement for future editions — that vendors be allowed to keep their goods overnight, rather than packing up by 7 p.m. daily. “It’s always hectic when everyone rushes to leave at the same time,” she noted.

With her vision and craftsmanship, Aisha Mustapha is not just selling bags — she’s weaving stories of culture, creativity, and resilience into every piece, proving that Nigerian fashion is not only innovative but ready for the global stage.