From Street to Studio: Nigerian Designer Reinvents the Umbrella Stall
A Nigerian street vendor’s umbrella stall offers fresh produce in an urban setting.
Nigerian designer Paul Yakubu is turning heads with his ingenious “umbrella crate stall,” developed during his Versant Sud residency. Inspired by the dynamic street vendor culture of Lagos, the stall combines traditional aesthetics with smart, modular design. Its circular umbrella top and pivoting crates let traders personalize and expand their setups, while the store remains mobile, collapsible, and lightweight. Now in its product development phase, Yakubu is working closely with vendors to refine the design for real-world use. His project reflects a broader shift among African designers toward elevating informal urban innovation, blending practicality with creativity and reshaping how design meets everyday needs.
Desing Indaba