Meet the Former Student Behind Sunderland’s 2025 Fashion Show!
Ade at her HQ.
Ade Adefolawe is a woman of many hats, but in terms of career, she studied at the University of Sunderland and went on to Teesside to earn a doctorate in special and inclusive education. Ade comes from Nigeria and previously worked for the government there. She is very passionate about children with special needs, as she grew up with one herself. Having been exposed to children who are deprived, everything in Ade’s life is driven by her passion for young children.
Coming to Sunderland in 2012, Ade made many friends in the community and began volunteering with her local church, falling instantly in love with the city. Since then, she has done exceedingly well academically, got married to a loving husband, had three beautiful children, and now runs a successful business rooted from her passion named DeRevelation.
“I have always loved style and fashion from a very young age. My mum was a great instrument in shaping my interest in fashion”
Ehthesham Haque, Sunderland’s mayor, also attended the event.
Ade started Derevelation Studios in October 2022, out of an immense love for people. As a person who once struggled with self-love, she relates to the pressure many face, especially with the popularity of social media. The company has a salon, photography studios, and a growing client base, but Ade wants more space to make provisions for clothing design.
In 2025, Ade surprised a lot of people by fulfilling a dream that she had held close to her heart for many years, she ran her very own self-funded, unique fashion show in Sunderland. This stemmed from a trip to the bridges shopping centre one day; she remembers walking in and the whole place was empty, which broke her heart.
Sunderland Fashion Show 2025.
Ade knew Sunderland Council were always looking for ways to revive the city centre, and wondered what she could do to help drive business into the city. After a heart to heart with her husband and a few close friends, she contacted the council and generated her idea. An idea that ignited a passion within her that was bursting to get out. Ade advertised on Facebook obtaining volunteers for her show from people in photography and film to models.
Ade is now in the limelight – designing clothes, contacting people in the industry, and growing a vast portfolio of entrepreneurs who were attracted to her idea, and the workload has not eased off since. The now busy mum, holding down a full-time job, managing her home life and putting together a show-stopping successful fashion show that the city of Sunderland had never seen before.
The fashion show was hosted at Keel Square in Sunderland on July 26, 2025. Ade wanted to show to the city of Sunderland what she was made of – proving herself in culture, art and design with a colourful event and also raising funds for the Love Amelia Charity, a charity that supports families in the North East of England.
At this successful event, over 250 people attended including the mayor of Sunderland, Ehthesham Haque. Featuring 10 designers who showcased their work and volunteer models of all ages, the show was a massive hit. Plans are now underway to host a 2026 Sunderland Fashion Show where Ade will present more designers, participants and sponsors. She is clearly focused, and in the fashion world, that is a very necessary attribute to have.
Did you attend the Sunderland Fashion Show this year? Let us know your thoughts in our comments or on our socials @Fashion_North!
