British-Nigerian music executive and cultural curator Grace Ladoja has become the first African woman to design a signature sneaker for Nike.
The collaboration, the Homecoming Air Max Plus, also known as the TN or Cobra, was unveiled during the 2026 edition of her annual Homecoming Festival in Lagos.
The sneaker design reflects Ladoja’s London and Lagos background. It reworks the Air Max Plus silhouette with cultural details inspired by Nigerian household items, Pan African colours, cowrie shells and symbols of heritage.
Ladoja founded Homecoming, a three day festival launched in 2018 that highlights Nigerian and African creativity across music, fashion, art and sport.
In 2017, she co founded Metallic Inc, formerly Metallic Entertainment, a London based culture studio and creative agency. The company has worked with global brands including Nike, Supreme, Fenty and Levi’s, connecting them with artists and youth culture across music, fashion and film. It has also supported emerging creatives through grants and retail projects.
In 2018, she launched Our Homecoming, the Lagos festival held during the Easter period. It has grown into a platform for emerging African talent and diaspora collaboration, featuring performances, mentorship opportunities and creative exchange. The festival has also hosted international editions, including programming linked to Art Basel Miami.
The event where the sneaker was unveiled is part of the wider Homecoming festival platform, which has featured early appearances from artists such as Rema and has continued to expand its reach within African creative industries.
Ladoja was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2018 for services to music. She was presented the honour by the then Prince Charles.
She has also received industry recognition including Music Week Rising Star in 2017 and Entrepreneur in 2021, and has been featured on the BoF 500 list of influential people in global fashion.
Over the years, Ladoja has built a reputation for linking African creative talent with international brands, with her work through Metallic Inc and Homecoming positioning Lagos as a growing hub for global culture and youth driven innovation.
