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Funmi Olawuyi

University of the Arts London

Funmi is a Nigerian British product designer with a passion to create sustainable products for diverse communities. Her innovative graduate project, Eso Extension, addresses the toxic practices found within the hair industry by designing environmentally friendly alternatives. Through her plant-based hair extensions, she offers solutions that are kinder to both the body and the environment. Since graduating from Central Saint Martins and winning the Mullen Lowe Nova Award, Funmi has continued to develop Eso Extension through the Greenhouse incubator programme for startups through the University of the Arts London. She firmly believes in the importance of promoting eco-friendly practices through an intersectional lens within the beauty sector. Her work challenges conventional norms by providing hair products that are not only environmentally responsible but also culturally relevant

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Eso Extension

Category: Accessories

Competitions: Fashion Competition 2025

Eso Extensions offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic hair extensions, addressing the need for environmentally friendly solutions in a hair industry that’s projected to gross over £19 billion by 2028. Many women of colour commonly use hair extensions to create protective styles like cornrows and braids. However, popular synthetic hair brands have been exposed for using petroleum-based materials that contain harmful substances like PVC, acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride, which are known carcinogens that can cause long-term health risks. Unfortunately, many consumers are unaware of these harmful ingredients due to a lack of research into synthetic plastic extensions. Additionally, these plastic-based extensions end up in landfills and can contaminate soil and water systems, especially in regions with a high black population, posing hidden risks to public health due to their non-biodegradable properties. Eso Extensions offers a natural alternative to hair extensions, crafted from pineapple leaf fibres and using plant-based dyes, creating a hair-like texture without the harmful toxins. By partnering with pineapple farmers in Nigeria, we repurpose what would otherwise be discarded waste into valuable resources, promoting sustainability throughout the process. The remaining scraps are returned to the farmers, which can be used as fertiliser or livestock feed, minimising waste. Additionally, we support farmers in disadvantaged areas by generating extra income from pineapple leaves that would otherwise be incinerated. Furthermore, our extensions decompose rapidly after the end cycle. Even if they end up in a landfill, they decompose within 60 days, compared to petroleum-based extensions, which can take up to 500+ years. During the process, no toxic ingredients are released into our soils and water systems. Through Eso extension, we aim to eliminate toxic ingredients typically found in conventional beauty products, empowering millions of women to braid confidently, knowing the extensions they use are safe.

In association with Arts Thread

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.