The African fashion industry is growing immensely. Season after season, designers in the continent’s major fashion capitals release inspiring collections showcasing their brand’s aesthetics. From Hub of Africa Fashion Week to South African Fashion Week, Glitz Fashion Week and Lagos Fashion Week, the globalisation of the African fashion industry is imminent. We touched base with Lagos Fashion Week, where we saw models walk the runway in ensembles made by creative designers from across the continent.
For three brightly sunny days, lovers of couture from Nigeria and across the world congregated in Lagos, arguably Africa’s largest fashion capital, to celebrate the continent’s industry, while enjoying designers’ collections for the new season. With a launch party and an after party, open showcases and private ones, Lagos Fashion Week 2022 ended with a bang.
Although certain designers, such as Dye Labs, Eki Kere, Sisiano, Iamisigo, Banke Kuku, Lagos Space Programme, Imad Eduso and Andrea Iyamah, had private viewings in offsite locations, the open showcase of over 30 designers — established and emerging — took place at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.
We saw quirky styles to suit all genders and identities: long braids; bold eyeliner; heavy makeup; Afro hair; patched denim jackets and pants; corsets; long and short dresses; crop tops; cargo pants; high-soled boots; cliques of twos and threes; brightly coloured hairstyles and piercings — and camera people peering through lenses for perfect shots.
Away from the street style and its immersive culture, the runway promised a whole new experience, as designers created their best collections yet, from well-crafted suits to loose-fitting shirt dresses, traditional fabrics, knits, tasselled bags and even hand-beaded clothing. I spoke to some of the designers about their collections.
