As shared during our Festive Day and Black Friday event, all sale pieces are handmade to order. Our original timeline was to begin shipping on January 10, 2026 and we did begin dispatching on that date.

Since then, our small family team has been carefully working through each order in the sequence it was received. Every piece goes through our full handcrafted process, from hand beading and stitching to finishing, quality control, and final dispatch prep.

To date, we’ve shipped a significant portion of the sale orders, and production is still actively ongoing. Due to the volume of orders and the custom nature of many designs (including adjustments to sizing, colour, or length), some timelines have extended slightly beyond our initial January window.

We truly appreciate your patience, grace, and support as we continue to fulfil each order with intention and care.

Here’s what you can expect next:

• 
  Orders will continue to be completed and dispatched on a rolling basis throughout February and March
  
• 
  As soon as your piece is finished and shipped, you’ll receive a shipping confirmation with tracking.
  
• 
  If your order includes multiple items, they may arrive separately as each piece is completed.
  

If you’d like an update on your specific order, feel free to reach out to us at info@onalaja.com and our team will be happy to assist.

All online orders placed during the Festive Day or Black Friday sale will begin shipping from January 2026.

Our small team takes a short period of rest over the holidays to reset for the new year, so production and dispatch resumes in January.

We dispatch from the United Kingdom.

The Lagos store remains open for walk-ins and in-person purchases throughout this period.

Thank you for your patience and continued support.

Production begins after the holidays, and you can calculate your lead time starting from mid January. All orders are produced strictly in the order they were received via our website.

Sale production timelines are longer than our standard lead times due to the high volume of orders and the handcrafted nature of each piece.

Each product page includes an average production time, but this may vary depending on the style. More intricate designs with heavier beading, embroidery or detailing will naturally require additional time.

Handmade to order means your piece begins its journey once you place your order.

It is not pre made.

It is not pulled from stock.

It is not produced in bulk.

Your garment is individually cut, embroidered, embellished and finished by our artisans specifically for you.

From hand beading inspired by African artistry to sculpted silhouettes influenced by 70s glamour, every detail is executed with care. Like the hive, each stitch has purpose.

This allows us to honour craftsmanship over speed and artistry over excess.

Made to Order

You select your size using our size guide. Your piece is then handcrafted in that size.

It carries the full Onalaja detail and structure, created just for you.

Made to Measure

Your garment is crafted using your personal measurements for a more tailored fit.

This option is ideal if:

• You are between sizes

• You desire a sculpted, closer fit

• You are petite or tall

• You want a more couture level experience

Made to measure allows the garment to honour your proportions while maintaining the integrity of the design.

All Festive Day and Black Friday orders are final sale, meaning:

• No refunds

• No exchanges

• No cancellations

• No alterations

Because each piece is handcrafted to order, we are unable to accept returns or amend your garment once production has begun.

If you are unsure about sizing, or if you are petite or tall, please email us after your purchase so we can assist before production begins.

When an order is “almost completed”, it means it is in the final stages of production, not that it is ready for dispatch the same day.

As each piece is handcrafted, the final detailing, finishing, quality checks and packaging may require additional time. Once your order is fully completed, you will receive a dispatch email and tracking number.

Each Onalaja piece is individually handcrafted. Orders are fulfilled strictly in the order they were placed, and production timelines can vary based on:

• The position of your order in the queue

• The complexity of the design

• The level of hand-beading, embroidery or detailing required

This means two customers who order the same style may still receive their pieces at different times. If you ordered multiple items, we may ship each item as it becomes ready rather than waiting for all items to be completed.

No.

The Lagos store operates only as a pickup point and is not an inquiry or customer-service centre. They cannot assist with questions about online sale orders, production timelines, changes, or any order-related concerns.

All enquiries regarding Festive Day, Black Friday or online orders placed via onalaja.com must be sent through:

• Email: info@onalaja.com

• Live Chat: available on our website

Any confirmations, updates or changes to your order must be provided in writing by email. This ensures accuracy and allows our production team to track all requests properly.

For the fastest and most reliable assistance, please contact us directly via email or our website live chat.

Requesting a delivery date does not guarantee that your order will be ready by that time. Because each piece is handcrafted and often hand-beaded, production times can vary.

A delivery date is only confirmed if:

1. We have provided written confirmation via email, and
   
2. (If required) a rush order fee has been paid to prioritise your order outside our standard timelines.
   

If we have not provided written confirmation via email, the date is not guaranteed.

We will always try our best, but without written approval, we cannot commit to a specific deadline.

For any time-sensitive requests, please email info@onalaja.com so we can advise and confirm what is possible.

If you require your item for a particular event or date, you must email us immediately after placing your sale order so we can confirm whether it is achievable. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO GET A WRITTEN EMAIL CONFIRMATION.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND MESSAGES VIA THE LAGOS STORE WHATSAPP. THE ONLY VALID CONFIRMATION IS A WRITTEN EMAIL TO INFO@ONALAJA.COM

If no delivery date was communicated at checkout or via email, we proceed with your order at the standard sale timeline.

All Festive Day and Black Friday sale orders are final.

This applies to:

• No refunds

• No exchanges

• No cancellations

• No alterations

Once production has started on your piece, we cannot make any changes.

If you are unsure about sizing, or if you are petite or tall, please email us after placing your sale order with your measurements.

If we do not receive written instructions, we will produce your item based on the standard size selected at checkout.

Once your item has been made, we cannot amend it, and we do not offer alterations.

Yes.

Since all orders dispatch from the United Kingdom, customers are responsible for any customs, duties, taxes or import fees charged by their country. These fees vary depending on your location.

Not always.

To avoid unnecessary delays, items may be shipped individually as they are completed. You will receive a tracking number each time an item is dispatched

If you are unsure about sizing, design details, colourways or custom concerns, please email us at info@onalaja.com before placing your order.

We are happy to guide you.

Yes.

Our team is available via email at info@onalaja.com for any assistance. We aim to respond as quickly as possible, especially during peak sale seasons.

The sales terms were:

• Displayed clearly on the website announcement bar

• Sent via email before the Festive Day and Black Friday event

• Repeated across Instagram, including Instagram Live

• Listed within the sale details prior to checkout

We have consistently shared the same information since before the sale began to ensure full transparency.

We understand delays can be frustrating, especially for special occasions. Your order is being handcrafted with care, and once completed, you will receive full dispatch details.

If you need an update or have any questions, please email us at info@onalaja.com and our team will be happy to assist.

During the Black Friday event, we clearly communicated:

• On the announcement bar on our website

• In the sale terms sent via email

• On Instagram and Instagram Live

that all sale orders would enter production after the holidays and begin shipping from January.

Sale orders are final, and we are unable to cancel or refund items once production has started.

No, we do not offer alterations for any items purchased, and we do not have a tailoring service in Lagos. All production occurs in London, where we are based.

Please ensure you confirm your measurements with our team after placing your sale order if needed or if you are unsure.

Most Onalaja pieces are lined, unless stated otherwise.

All construction and fabrication details are listed clearly on the right-hand side of each product page, including whether an item is lined or unlined, and the exact materials used.

If you are unsure about any aspect of the construction, lining, or fabric composition, please email us at info@onalaja.com before placing your order. We are happy to confirm any details to help you make the best decision.

Length can vary depending on height, proportions and body composition. Our models are usually taller than the average customer, so garments can appear longer on them in photos.

If you are petite or tall, or if you have any concerns about length before purchasing, please email us at info@onalaja.com after placing your order so we can note your height and advise accordingly.

Once your item has been produced, we are unable to alter or adjust the length.

At Onalaja, we continuously refine our craftsmanship, materials and techniques. A dress purchased in 2022 will not be identical to a version produced in 2026, as our quality, fabrication and finishing naturally evolve over time. These improvements ensure each piece becomes more durable, refined and luxurious.

Product photos on our website represent each design as accurately as possible. However, slight variations in colour, tone or texture can occur due to lighting, photography and screen display differences.

If you are ever unsure about how an item will look or how it compares to a piece you purchased in the past, please email us at info@onalaja.com before placing your order and we will be happy to confirm all details.

Yes, we ship worldwide.

Shipping options and estimated timelines will be shown at checkout.

No returns, No exchanges. All sales are final.

In the rare occasion where an item is damaged in transit, please see “ Is my order quality checked” FAQ question above for next steps.

Currently all Onalaja pieces are on a made to order basis, for that reason, we do not offer refunds or exchanges.

We take pride in making sure that all our pieces are quality controlled and inspected before it is sent out to you. We also take images and recordings of each piece to avoid any faulty, damaged or marked claims.

Our commitment to transparency means that every garment listed on our website comes with an extensive, detailed and unique description. It is crucial that you carefully read the item description and check all sizing and measurements before making a purchase. 

If you have any queries about a particular garment, please feel free to reach out to our customer support team before placing your order via email info@onalaja.com

By placing an order, you confirm your agreement with our store policies. 

At Onalaja, we understand that unforeseeable circumstances can sometimes impact the delivery of your order.

While we strive to ensure timely delivery, there are certain factors that are outside our control, such as global events, logistics, and customs checks. Rest assured, if any delay arises, we will keep you informed every step of the way and provide a new estimated delivery date as soon as possible.

We take pride in our commitment to customer satisfaction, and our team is always available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. So, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@onalaja.com for any updates or assistance