The diversity and uniqueness of African Fashion
The diversity and uniqueness of African Fashion
The Lagos Fashion Week a.k.a LagosFW for short serves as a platform that supports and celebrates the Nigerian and wider African fashion scene during a four day gathering, in Lagos. Nigeria's hub of fashion creativity brings together designers, buyers, consumers and media professionals to present the newest collections and trends that encapsulate the essence of African fashion.
This year, the theme was ‘COMMUNE’ as designers brought their A-game from bold prints and luxe textures to fresh silhouettes that blend heritage with high fashion. In this edition, we highlighted some standout fashion brands that captured the essence of African couture. Get ready to discover your new favourite designers, the must-have looks of the season, and why Lagos continues to reign as the beating heart of African fashion!
UGO MONYE
Nigerian menswear designer Ugo, brought an authentic celebration of African heritage to the Lagos Fashion Week runway, infusing tradition with a modern, polished edge. His collection honoured West African ancestry through meticulously crafted pieces that remained true to their roots. Stars like music icon Davido, celebrated designer Tubobereni of TUBO, and style influencer Lai Labode walked the runway, embodying the designer’s vision and bringing his collection to life.
OSHOBOR
This Benin-inspired fashion brand stands out as a tribute to the richness of Benin’s cultural heritage. Led by creative director Oshobor Odion Peters, the brand inputs deep-rooted stories of emotions through its designs. Known for its vibrant hues and eccentric signatures, Oshobor is a bold voice in modern fashion.
DESIRÉE IYAMA
Once again, Desirée dazzled the audience with her timeless collection of feminine casualwear, featuring vibrant colours and playful designs. Her pieces radiated chicness, celebrating all body types and bringing effortless style to life on the runway.
FIA
I'd personally refer to them as the queens of patterns! The talented female trio—Funke (F), Ijeoma (I), and Abisose (A) consistently shows that no design is too bold or intricate to mix with their signature array of patterns. They aim to build a platform that celebrates unity, diversity, and confidence, empowering women to embrace their uniqueness with style.
ORÍRÉ
Known for its focus on ethical and sustainable production, Oríré ****is a modern fashion brand that honours artistic femininity. Their designs feature bold colours and unique styles, bringing chic, flared cocktail dresses to life with an elegant twist.
FRUCHÉ
Headed by Frank Aghuno, Fruché is a blend of modern design, artisanal methods, and traditional Nigerian culture. The brand reflects a distinctive sense that infuses bold, luxuriously modern style of patterns and has an outspoken story.
KÍLẸ̀ŃTÀR
For the girlies who love to look sophisticated with a dash of uniqueness, Kílẹ̀ńtàr is the ultimate go-to brand. Inspired by the Yoruba phrase “Kí lẹ̀ ń tà?” or “What are you selling?”, Kílẹ̀ńtàr crafts timeless pieces that blend influences from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. This results in feminine yet fierce designs, traditional yet modern, stylish yet sustainable—perfect for the chic and culturally rooted.
HERTUNBA
Florentina Agu weaves stories of empowerment, resilience, and style into every stitch of her brand, Hertunba. Derived from “Her” and the Yoruba title “Otunba,” Hertunba embodies beauty and strength. Each piece radiates confidence, sensuality, and charisma, celebrating the sophistication and elegance of the Hertunba woman.
In conclusion, LFW 2024 once again showcased its role in highlighting the creativity, diversity, and rich cultural heritage of the African fashion industry. With a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, the featured designers showcased the brilliance of African couture while pushing the boundaries of global fashion. From the bold storytelling to the ethical elegance of, each brand brought something unique to the runway, reinforcing why Lagos is at the forefront of shaping the future of fashion.
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