Lagos Fashion Week 2026: Day 1 Conversations on the Future of African Fashion

 

Lagos Fashion Week returns for its 16th edition under the theme CRAFTED: Heritage. Innovation. Circular Futures. This season explores the knowledge, skill and creative processes shaping African fashion, bringing heritage into conversation with contemporary design, innovation and new perspectives on the industry’s future.

“Crafted”: By Whom, For Whom and at What Cost? Day 1 opened with the Fashion Business Series session, “Crafted: By Whom, For Whom and at What Cost?” Moderated by media personality and digital strategist Ayo Lawal, the discussion featured Sunny Dolat, Kenyan Cultural Producer and Creative Director; Ifebuche Madu, Founder of Afrikstabel; Aisha Ayensu, Creative Director and Founder of Ghanaian Fashion Brand Christie Brown; and Dr. Christine Checinska, Senior Curator, Africa and Diaspora Textiles and Fashion at the V&A. The conversation examined how the fashion industry can strengthen its support for textile artisans, improve their visibility and build more equitable, long-term relationships with the people whose skills and knowledge underpin African fashion.  “It is necessary to build a sustainable relationship with African artisans, because the success of any African fashion brand relies on the craft people,” said Aisha Ayensu, founder and creative director of Christie Brown.

Fashion Business Modelling and Franchising

Sponsored by Deloitte, the session on “Fashion Business Modelling and Franchising” was moderated by Temitope Olugbile, Manager, Strategy and Business Design. The discussion offered fashion entrepreneurs practical perspectives on business models, franchising and the structures required to build and grow sustainable fashion businesses.

Beyond the Runway: Are You Making Money or Just Making Sales? Akindele Phillips, Founder and Managing Partner at We Practice Africa, led a conversation on the distinction between generating sales and building a commercially sustainable business. The session emphasised the importance of putting standard processes and structures in place to prepare businesses for growth and potential investment. “Build a business that not only looks successful online, but is also successful in real life. Keep every single record,” Phillips advised.

Capital That Fits: Unlocking Tailored Financing for Nigeria’s Fashion Industry The final panel discussion explored financing pathways available to fashion businesses and the considerations that shape funding decisions for creative enterprises. Moderated by Kemi Ogunleye, Marketing Communications and Brand Strategy Professional, the session featured Gbolade Okeowo, Director and Fund Manager at Kuramo Capital Management, alongside Dolapo Adedapo, Creative Specialist and IDCE at the Bank of Industry. The discussion highlighted opportunities for fashion businesses seeking to scale, while underscoring the importance of financial accountability, proper documentation and a clear understanding of business performance.

On the Runway: Akwete Reimagined, Some Birds Fly South and The In-Between

Capital That Fits: Unlocking Tailored Financing for Nigeria’s Fashion Industry Day 1 also featured three presentations exploring different approaches to craft, materiality and contemporary African design. The day began with Akwete Reimagined, a capsule collection collaboration between Nigerian designer Emmy Kasbit and ALÁRA. Featuring statement pieces made with Akwete, the collection explored how traditional textile techniques can be reinterpreted through a contemporary design lens.  

Sisiano followed with its Spring/Summer 2027 collection, Some Birds Fly South. The collection featured sheer pieces and fringe detailing that introduced movement, alongside relaxed menswear silhouettes and an array of hand-printed fabrics.

Orange Culture presented its Spring/Summer 2027 collection, The In-Between, bringing together familiar silhouettes, uneven proportions, sheer layering, hand-stitched embellishments and looped-yarn surfaces across a varied colour palette.

The day concluded with the Heineken Lagos Fashion Week 2026 Welcome Party, hosted by Moët & Chandon, bringing together designers, fashion industry leaders, media and invited guests for an evening of celebration and connection ahead of the runway shows.

The 2026 season is title-sponsored by Heineken, alongside key partners NIVEA, MTN, Bank of Industry, Lord's Gin, Molped, Nigerian Exchange Group, Africa Finance Corporation and Lush Hair.