Why Lagos Fashion Week is here to stay – Essence

In Lagos, clothes are not just worn, they are lived, breathed and celebrated with an infectious energy that rivals any other style of clothing. global fashion capital. As the October sun sets over the bustling metropolis, Lagos Fashion Week emerges as more than just a showcase of African creativity; it has become a magnetic force that attracts fashion lovers from all corners of the world. Founded in 2011 by visionary Omoyemi Akerele, this prestigious event has become a phenomenon where the vibrancy of the Nigerian spirit and world-class innovation come together.

During my recent conversations at New York Fashion Week, I witnessed an unprecedented wave of interest in Lagos Fashion Week among international guests and creatives. This season, LFW welcomed renowned creators including Tamu McPherson, who joined over 12,000 visitors eager to immerse themselves in the exciting atmosphere that only Lagos can offer. Here, in Africa’s most populous city, more than sixty designers came together to create something extraordinary: a space where traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary vision, where buyers and makers not only observe African fashion; they also get the chance to experience it.

Lagos Fashion Week goes beyond the traditional catwalk format. Through initiatives such as Fashion Focus Africa, it has become a breeding ground for the next generation of fashion talent on the continent, while providing financing, knowledge and market opportunities. The Fashion business series brings together industry leaders from Nigeria and across Africa to shape the future of fashion.

What strikes me most is how this week celebrates fashion on the continent through self-expression. Imad Eduso’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection “Laba Laba: Flames of Growth” features butterflies dancing through vibrant silhouettes and speaks of transformation and renewal. Emmy Kasbit marks a milestone decade with ‘Recollection’. He brilliantly reinterprets their signature Akwete motif into a modern story about community and consciousness. These are not just collections; they are stories of fabric and thread, creating a tapestry that resonates far beyond the borders of Nigeria. This isn’t just any fashion week; it is a movement, a statement and, above all, a homecoming for anyone who has ever felt the pull of African creativity.

This season’s prestigious partnerships demonstrate how far Lagos Fashion Week has come. Over an intimate breakfast at the Capital Club, Laurent Vinay of Bicester Collection and global fashion ambassador Tamu McPherson shared an exciting vision for Nigerian fashion in the global luxury market. Of Bicester Collection upcoming location in New York that will house Nigerian designers, African fashion is claiming its rightful place in the global luxury market.

“During my visit to Lagos, I have been continually inspired by the pieces I have seen people wearing,” McPherson shared with me, her eyes lighting up as she discussed her dual role as observer and enthusiastic consumer. “This isn’t just about witnessing fashion, it’s about participating in a movement.” This sentiment speaks to a larger shift: African designers and their works are no longer just observed from a distance, but are also actively embraced by global fashion lovers.

The support of Lagos State Tourism Arts and Culture shows that the government recognizes fashion as a crucial cultural export. Together with Prosper Africa’s ‘Bridging Markets’ initiative, they are creating new avenues for African designers in the US market. In one of the highlights of the week, Rizka Rivianti, women’s ready-to-wear buyer at Moda Operandi, shared how luxury platforms are embracing African design. Through Moda Operandi’s trunk shows with Lagos Fashion Week designers, these collections now have a direct line to global closets.

With support from the government, luxury retailers and e-commerce platforms, Lagos Fashion Week has become more than just a showcase. It is now an essential bridge between Nigerian creativity and global commerce, while staying true to the cultural stories that make these designs unique.

From the front row, I watched a new story unfold: one Instagram story, one TikTok clip, one camera roll at a time. As a creator immersed in this vibrant scene, I have shared the masterful customization of Emmy Kasbit, the innovative designs of MOT The Label, the creative genius of Rendoll, the artistic vision of Fruche and the bold statements of Ladymaker with my global audience. . Each post helps connect Nigerian fashion with fashion lovers around the world.

The front row told its own story this season. Nigerian fashion voices like Nicole Chikwe and Eki Ogunbor, who helped shape the country’s fashion scene, shared the space with international makers like Tenicka Boyd. Lady Nneka Michel brought her unique perspective home from Germany, while Seattle-born Frilancy Hoyle and New York-based Chinyere Adogu added their voices to the conversation. Together they showed how this endeavor of Omoyemi Akerele brings together different worlds through style.

The presence of international makers marks just the beginning. While Fashion Month in New York, London, Paris and Milan have their allure, Lagos offers something different. It offers an opportunity to connect through clothing that speaks to cultural heritage while pushing creative boundaries. We see this impact through influencers such as Achieng Agutuwhich brings Imad Eduso’s designs to her audience, which counts 840,000 visitors on Instagram alone, and shows how creator authenticity and Nigerian fashion fit naturally.

As Barkue Tubman-Zawolo, Chief Community Officer at Essence Ventures, powerfully noted: “We are a community, and I think this is what we are allowed to do for our audience: take them on a path that I think could be special . ” This community-driven approach to fashion storytelling sets Lagos Fashion Week apart. It’s not just about the clothes; it’s about creating stories that resonate with the diaspora while showcasing Nigerian creativity.

In the future I envision, Lagos Fashion Week stands alongside its Western counterparts, but with a crucial difference: here, makers don’t just document fashion, they participate in a cultural conversation that spans continents. As more voices from the global diaspora join in, they are helping write Nigerian fashion’s next chapter in the global story.

As another season comes to a close, Lagos Fashion Week proves that it is more than a collection showcase: it is a blueprint for fashion’s inclusive future. The support of the Bicester Collection and Moda Operandi, combined with creator-driven storytelling and Nigerian design innovation, has created something unprecedented: a fashion week that serves as both a cultural touchstone and a commercial catalyst.

This season shows that Lagos Fashion Week is not only keeping pace, but also helping to set the agenda. From Emmy Kasbit’s masterful decade retrospective to Imad Eduso’s butterfly-inspired revolution, these collections combine heritage with innovation and tradition with progress. The presence of international makers and industry leaders confirms: Lagos is not only participating in the global fashion conversation, but leading it.

Looking ahead, Lagos Fashion Week shows what is possible when fashion breaks traditional boundaries. It is where commerce meets culture, digital meets traditional, and Nigerian creativity claims its global stage. For the diaspora and fashion lovers around the world, it’s not just about watching from a distance, but about joining a movement that makes fashion weeks more inclusive, connected and meaningful. In Lagos, the future of fashion is not only shown, it is also shaped, one story, one collection, one connection at a time.