OUR STORY
Founded in 2015, YEBA is a contemporary accessory brand; inspiring and empowering women to greatness by revealing their truest potential.
We design modern and timeless essentials, handcrafted in the highest quality leather by master Italian artisans. With each bag, every curve, line, and stitch draw inspiration from both contemporary architecture and our founder, Yeba’s rich African heritage from Benin. The perfect balance between modernity and tradition, they are beautiful objects with a soul, designed to last longer than a lifetime.
At heart, designer Yeba believes that every woman carries an inner fire, a burning desire to uncover her majesty. And so, wearing the name 'YEBA' is simply wearing an invisible crown - a crown that has been passed down as heritage from a long line of strong women to you. This name, this title, is the bond that unites us all. We are one community, with roots all over the world, animated by that same yearning heart, that same burning ambition to fulfill our dreams and have a meaningful impact in the world.
These bags, therefore are a guiding light, leading and directing you towards the pathway of self. Each bag is designed to tell a story of you.
YEBA means – the one born to accomplish her destiny. It is a state of mind, a philosophy, a mindset. A legacy.
YEBA OLAYÉ
Born in Benin and raised in Europe, creative director and founder Yeba Olayé is a versatile talent who left behind over a decade-long career in management consulting and finance to chase her dream of building a visionary accessory brand. Starting with just a sketchbook, she transformed her vision into reality.
Yeba’s belief that every woman has greatness and talent within her propels her to design accessories as daily reminders of purpose, empowering them to not lose sight of what is already there. Through her brand, Yeba carries her passion, prowess, and cultural heritage forward. Her love for fashion joins a passion for craftsmanship, design, and humanitarianism to create truly one-of-a-kind pieces that remain with you forever.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
MADE IN ITALY
Our handbags are made in Italy, by pure & authentic craftsmen with exceptional precision and care.
MADE IN ITALY
Our handbags are made in Italy, by pure & authentic craftsmen with exceptional precision and care.
THE FOUNDER
YEBA OLAYÉ
Born in Benin and raised in Europe, Creative director and founder Yeba Olayé is a multi-faceted talent who left behind a career of more than 10 years in Management consulting and finance to pursue her dream: create an aspirational accessory brand. Starting with nothing but a sketchbook, she ultimately turned her vision into reality.
Yeba believes that every woman has greatness and talent within her and designs accessories as reminders to not lose sight of what is already there. Launching this brand was a way to carry her passion, culture and heritage forward.
Her love of fashion joins a passion for craftsmanship, design, and humanitarianism to create truly one-of-a-kind pieces that will remain by your side forever.
QUEEN YEBA
THE LEGEND
Yeba means: “The one born to accomplish herself”.
Centuries ago, in the mountain village of Benin, a young woman ascended the throne after her father died on the battlefield. She embraced the present fate that had been brought to her feet and never folded in front of any opponents or enemies. Battle after battle, she led her people to victory, revealing herself as Queen Yeba. Queen Yeba was full of charisma, but also regarded as strong, brave and intelligent. She was respected by her warriors for her strength and loved by her people for her great sense of humanity.
During her reign she did something no other king had done before. She forged alliances with sub-region tribes and managed to bring long-lasting peace in the region forever.
Queen Yeba gave birth to three sons, and had no daughters. Before she died, she made each of them promise to give her name “Yeba” to their first daughter, so that like her “they would never forget they were born to follow their own destiny and reveal their potential”.
YEBA, A MODERN STORY
Worthy heiress and direct descendant of Queen Yeba, I founded the brand YEBA with at heart to share these great values with the world. The name Yeba has become a treasure and a legacy in my family. Yeba is a wish of good fortune that has been carried through a long line of strong women to me, and now through my brand to you – to inspire you, to help you conquer your world.
There is a song around Queen Yeba that my father used to sing to me when I was a child that tells a lot about Queen Yeba’s spirit not to say soul. This legendary queen who lives in my heart and now in my brand’s DNA, saying:
“The World is my kingdom,
I have the soul of a warrior,
I have the heart of a believer,
I open doors
I am born to follow my destiny,
I am Yeba.”
YEBA, A MODERN STORY
Worthy heiress and direct descendant of Queen Yeba, I founded the brand YEBA with at heart to share these great values with the world. The name Yeba has become a treasure and a legacy in my family. Yeba is a wish of good fortune that has been carried through a long line of strong women to me, and now through my brand to you – to inspire you, to help you conquer your world.
There is a song around Queen Yeba that my father used to sing to me when I was a child that tells a lot about Queen Yeba’s spirit not to say soul. This legendary queen who lives in my heart and now in my brand’s DNA, saying:
“The World is my kingdom,
I have the soul of a warrior,
I have the heart of a believer,
I open doors
I am born to follow my destiny,
I am Yeba.”
Worthy heiress and direct descendant of Queen Yeba, I founded the brand YEBA with the heart to share these great values with the world. The name YEBA has become a treasure and a legacy in my family. YEBA is a wish of good fortune that has been carried through a long line of strong women to me, and now through my brand to you – to inspire you, to help you conquer your world.
There is a song around Queen Yeba that my father used to sing to me when I was a child that tells a lot about Queen Yeba’s spirit.
“The World is my kingdom,
I have the soul of a warrior,
I have the heart of a believer,
I open doors,
I am born to follow my destiny,
I am Yeba.”
LISTEN TO
OUR PODCAST
We wish to lead with you a quiet revolution, the kind of (r)evolution from within that leaves you strong, aligned and confident. On our Podcast page, you embark into our world, a place you can call home. A place where you can sit, discover, share with us, knowing you’ll find the inspiration, the community of strong women to support you in your journey towards self-achievement.
LISTEN TO
OUR PODCAST
We wish to lead with you a quiet revolution, the kind of (r)evolution from within that leaves you strong, aligned and confident. On our Podcast page, you embark into our world, a place you can call home. A place where you can sit, discover, share with us, knowing you’ll find the inspiration, the community of strong women to support you in your journey towards self-achievement.