# Patience Torlowei
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{{short description|Nigerian fashion designer (born 1964)}}
{{Infobox artist
| name = Patience Torlowei
| image = Patience Torlowei1.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Patience Torlowei in 2019
| birth_name = Patience Etipou Torlowei
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|7|24|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [Enugu](/source/Enugu_(city)), [Enugu State](/source/Enugu_State), Nigeria
| death_date =
| death_place =
| education = Yaba College of Technology
| field = Textile Artist, Fashion Designer
| training =
| movement =
| works =
| patrons =
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| spouse =
| partner =
| website = {{URL|https://patiencetorlowei.com/}}
}}
'''Patience Torlowei''' (born 24 July 1964) is a Nigerian fashion designer. She is the creator of the "Esther Dress", the first piece of couture ever to join the [Smithsonian Institution's](/source/Smithsonian_Institution) [National Museum of African Art's](/source/National_Museum_of_African_Art) permanent collection.
==Early life==
Born in [Enugu](/source/Enugu_(city)) to [Ijaw](/source/Ijaw_people) parents, Torlowei graduated from the Textile Arts and Technology faculty at the [Yaba College of Technology](/source/Yaba_College_of_Technology). She moved to Belgium in 1989. As a fashion designer she has worked to create bridal clothes and [lingerie](/source/lingerie) as well as ready-to-wear attire.[{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/lifestyle/5370/patience-returns.html|title=Patience returns|website=Nigerian Voice|accessdate=Jul 9, 2019}}] She founded her first fashion line, Patience Torlowei BVBA, in 2006.[{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2014/10/01/history-on-a-hanger/|title=History On A hanger|first=Forbes Woman|last=Africa|date=Oct 1, 2014|accessdate=Jul 9, 2019}}]
== Career ==
A dress designed by Torlowei, ''Esther'', is currently owned by the [National Museum of African Art](/source/National_Museum_of_African_Art) (NMAA) in [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.); it is the first piece of ''haute couture'' to enter the museum collection. It depicts scenes of oil and diamond extraction and of war, and is made of a variety of materials including gold fabric.[{{Cite web|url=https://africa.si.edu/exhibitions/current-exhibitions/i-am/|title=I Am . . . Contemporary Women Artists of Africa|website=africa.si.edu|accessdate=Jul 9, 2019}}][{{Cite web|url=https://mshale.com/2014/03/07/national-museum-african-art-showcases-eco-friendly-african-design/|title=National Museum of African Art showcases Eco-Friendly African Design|date=Mar 7, 2014|accessdate=Jul 9, 2019}}] Torlowei was included in the 2019 show "I Am… Contemporary [Women Artists](/source/Women_artists) of Africa" at the NMAA.