Last week, Lagos Fashion Week celebrated its 15th anniversary. It’s been quite a journey of culture-shaping. Since its founding in 2011 by Omoyemi Akerele, the platform has grown into more than just a fashion showcase; it has become a movement. A movement that supports and spotlights African creativity, craftsmanship, and culture, one runway at a time.
This year, 60 designers showcased their collections to an audience of over 15,000. Through the years, Lagos Fashion Week has remained a strong backbone of African fashion, helping countless designers rise to prominence. The likes of Lisa Folawiyo, Orange Culture, and Kenneth Ize all found wider recognition through this very stage.
But beneath the glitz and glamour lies a bigger conversation, one about the challenges of today’s fashion world. At the core of the fashion world today is this nonstop cycle of making too much and buying too much. People now shop about 60% more than they did twenty years ago, yet each outfit barely lasts half as long. And when it’s tossed aside, less than 1% of those fabrics ever get recycled into something new. It’s a worrying cycle, one that’s hurting our planet and earning fashion its place as one of the most polluting industries in the world.
At Lagos Fashion Week, things are done differently. Every designer who wants to be part of the show has to show a clear commitment to sustainability. By holding brands accountable during Africa’s most celebrated fashion event, they’ve managed to influence year-round behaviour, one designer, one label, and one collection at a time. Teaching responsible fashion.
While the event has seen many successes, it hasn’t always been a smooth journey. We all know that building something of remarkable impact in Nigeria doesn’t come easy. Challenges like poor infrastructure and limited funding opportunities can test your patience. Lagos Fashion Week hasn’t been exempt from these struggles; in fact, they’ve made the day-to-day running of a major fashion event incredibly demanding. Yet, the organization has found creative ways to stay afloat, turning to technology and lifestyle brands for support. This year’s sponsors included Heineken, MTN, and Facebook.
This year’s runway was filled with music and different stories told with threads and fabrics. Many designers went all out to celebrate our heritage, reminding everyone that African fashion is rooted in culture.
Among others, designers like Ndiiche and SINAE stood out for their bold embrace of traditional craftsmanship. Their beadwork was nothing short of stunning, delicate yet powerful, each piece carrying the spirit of the past into the present. And those gangan bags were a masterpiece. They gave a fresh, modern spin to an accessory that has long been a symbol of African pride.
Also, FOR STYLE SAKE brought back the elegance of damask in a way that felt both old-school and modern. It was like watching the richness of our grandmothers’ wardrobes meet the confidence of today’s woman.
AJABENG made sure the men weren’t left out either. Their pieces had that easy, laid-back vibe, but with a playful twist. They gave our men something fun to play with.
NKWO told a story of heritage through reinvention. The berets combined with aso-oke were such a clever touch, a quiet nod to tradition woven into something effortlessly cool.
And of course, OSHOBOR had the men turning heads in coloured fur. It was bold, expressive, and brought drama in the best possible way. Who says men can’t have fun with fashion?
And if you ever find yourself wondering where you fit in all this, step into the Òwàmbè Fashion Game and discover what your own style would look like. Would your fabric tell a story of tradition or rebellion? There’s only one way to know: play, and let fashion meet identity in the most African way possible.
Until next time, my neighbours, remember, as we say over here, the A in Africa stands for Attitude, Atarodo, and All Things Extra!