Lagos Fashion Week marked its 15th anniversary this year with its most vibrant event to date. The five-day showcase in Nigeria’s bustling capital featured over 60 designers and attracted approximately 15,000 guests.
The journey began in 2011 when founder Omoyemi Akerele launched the event to create a platform celebrating African creativity, craftsmanship, and culture. What started as an intimate gathering has grown into the continent’s premier fashion week, launching designers like Lisa Folawiyo, Orange Culture, and Mai Atafo onto the international scene. This season’s lineup from October 29 to November 2 included returning favorites Orange Culture alongside Iamisigo and Kilentar.
The event’s influence extends beyond Nigeria, drawing designers from across Africa including South Africa’s Maxhosa and Rich Mnisi, and Ghana’s Christie Brown. Many alumni have earned recognition through prestigious awards like the International Woolmark Prize and LVMH Prize.
“Lagos Fashion Week has become a catalyst for African fashion,” Akerele reflects. “Our first edition was modest but bold, driven by the belief that Africa forms the creative backbone of global fashion.” She describes how her team’s conviction has transformed the event from a fashion week into a movement focused on economic empowerment, education, and mentorship.
Akerele emphasizes, “This isn’t just about fashion—it’s a statement that African creativity deserves global leadership in sustainability and accountability.”
Recent honors include being named a finalist for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize for promoting sustainable fashion systems, while Akerele was recognized among Time magazine’s 2025 climate leaders.
Building a fashion institution in Nigeria presents ongoing challenges—from economic hurdles and infrastructure issues to currency fluctuations and limited funding. These constraints have led organizers to seek support from technology and lifestyle sponsors like Heineken, MTN, and Facebook.
This year introduced streetwear to the runway through the Street Souk initiative, which featured seven emerging labels including Go Crazy, Pieces, and JBL. Founder Iretidayo Zaccheaus noted, “Many young designers wouldn’t have this runway opportunity otherwise. The response has been incredible, and we plan to expand these showcases.”
Sustainability remains central to the event’s mission. The Green Access incubator (originally called Young Designer of the Year) continues to support designers working with upcycled materials and natural fibers. Since 2022, the program has expanded to include talent from across Africa.Lagos Fashion Week has drawn designers from across Africa, including Morocco, South Africa, and Kenya. Among the participants, Ghana’s The Or Foundation brought three designers to the event. Titus Doku, founder of the sustainable brand Calcul, presented a collection made entirely from upcycled clothing sourced from Kantamanto Market, one of West Africa’s largest secondhand markets. Doku explained, “We receive around 50 million pieces of clothing every week. The Or Foundation helps upcycled brands reach new markets.”
Ria Sejpal, founder of the Kenyan sustainable brand Lilabare, returned for her third season at the fashion week. For her latest collection, she experimented with natural dyes made from botanicals like rosemary and plectranthus barbatus, also known as the “toilet paper plant” due to its eco-friendly leaves. Sejpal shared, “This collection is about pushing the boundaries of craft. I wanted to challenge expectations and explore what’s possible.” She also incorporated Kenyan and Indian techniques into beadwork and embellishments.
This season, the focus was on helping African designers enter retail spaces in Nigeria. Shopping for runway designers has traditionally been difficult, as few have physical stores or active e-commerce sites. To improve market access, both new and established retailers stepped in.
Lagos Fashion Week partnered with Nahous, a new creative hub on Victoria Island, allowing guests to shop collections from seven designers. Richard Vedelago, founder of Nahous, noted, “Attending fashion shows but not being able to buy the clothes is a major issue. Nigeria’s weak retail network means brands miss out on connecting with consumers during peak times.” Vedelago aimed to create a shopping experience linked to the event, and the proximity to the main venue made it a success.
Temple Muse, a luxury retailer in Lagos since 2008, offered its space to designers for offsite shows. Brands like Iamisigo and Kilentar presented their Spring/Summer 2026 collections there. Co-founder Kabir Wadhwani said, “As their official stockists, we want to support their growth. During fashion week, we open our doors as a satellite site for designers nationwide.”
Photographer Stephen Tayo, who has documented Lagos Fashion Week for over eight years, observed that understanding of the fashion industry has grown over the past 15 years. He noted, “People now recognize the roles of buyers, art directors, and PRs. Platforms like this help close the knowledge gap for those entering the industry.”
The event also attracted a growing number of local and international influencers, including returnees from previous seasons like Tenicka Boyd, Frilancy Hoyle, and Nneka Michel. For many, attending the fashion week has become a meaningful experience, connecting them to their roots and beliefs.Michel explains, “For me, Lagos Fashion Week has become a retreat and a homecoming—a place where I return to reconnect with my culture and the incredible talent we have here. It’s about exploring what our country can achieve together through fashion.”
Beyond the popular Detty December season, when the diaspora visits Africa for festivities from December to January, the government has been actively promoting tourism. As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture invited American singer Ciara to Lagos to attend events and explore the city during fashion week. Just half an hour before his show began, Frank Aghuno, founder of the contemporary brand Fruche, learned that Ciara would be walking in it. “I was completely stunned,” he recalls. “I’ve been a fan since childhood, and now she’s wearing my design to close the show.”
Lagos Fashion Week expands each year, attracting more designers eager to participate. As Akerele states, “Lagos Fashion Week demonstrates that fashion can drive cultural pride and meaningful change, and we’re committed to continuing this work for as long as possible.”
Related articles by this author:
– How Nigerian Brand Orange Culture Overcame Challenges
– Nike’s Major Investment in Africa with Air Afrique Collaboration
– The Reason Nigeria’s Iamisigo is Presenting at Copenhagen Fashion Week
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a helpful and concise FAQ about highlights from Lagos Fashion Week with questions in a natural tone and direct answers
General Beginner Questions
1 What is Lagos Fashion Week
Lagos Fashion Week is a major annual fashion event that showcases the best of African design talent Its a platform for established and emerging designers from across the continent to present their collections
2 When and where does it usually happen
Its typically held in late October at various iconic venues across Lagos Nigeria such as the Federal Palace Hotel or other cultural spaces
3 Who can attend Lagos Fashion Week
While many shows are industryfocused there are often events talks and some shows that are open to the public You usually need to apply for an invitation or purchase a ticket
Highlight 1 Focus on Sustainable Fashion
4 What does sustainable fashion mean at Lagos Fashion Week
It refers to designers who create clothing with a lower environmental impact This includes using organic or recycled materials reducing waste in production and creating durable timeless pieces
5 Why is sustainability a big focus now
Its a global movement and African designers are leading by example They are showing that you can be stylish while also being responsible and honoring traditional lowwaste techniques
6 Can you give me an example of a sustainable practice seen at LFW
A common example is designers using offcut fabrics to create entirely new garments like patchwork pieces or accessories ensuring nothing goes to waste
7 As a consumer how can I support this sustainable movement
Look for brands that are transparent about their materials and manufacturing Focus on buying fewer higherquality pieces that will last for years instead of fast fashion
Highlight 2 Celebration of African Textiles Craftsmanship
8 What kind of traditional textiles are featured
Youll see a stunning variety including Nigerian Aso Oke Ghanaian Kente cloth East African Kitenge and beautifully crafted Adire
9 How are modern designers using these traditional fabrics
Theyre blending them with contemporary silhouettes For instance a designer might use Aso Oke to create a structured blazer or use Ad