LFW2025 blossomed into full creative expression over Days Two and Three. The event united fashion, business, and culture in a dynamic celebration of African craftsmanship, confidence, and conscious design.
The 15th edition of Lagos Fashion Week deepened its mission to shape the continent’s fashion identity. It spotlighted conversations around sustainability, inclusion, and innovation. Meanwhile, the runway presentations defined In Full Bloom in color, movement, and meaning.
Day 2: LFW2025 Celebrates Confidence, Craft, and Conscious Design
LFW2025 Day 2 unfolded with vibrant discussions and runway showcases that reflected the evolving sophistication of Africa’s fashion ecosystem. The day’s sessions explored themes of self-assurance, personal care, intellectual property, global trade, and textile heritage — all under the inspiring theme “In Full Bloom.”
The Invisible Side of Style: Confidence as the Foundation of Fashion
The day opened with NIVEA’s presentation, “The Invisible Side of Style.” It explored how beauty and confidence begin long before the outfit.
Moderated by Mobola Fatodu, Senior Brand Manager at Beiersdorf Nigeria, the panel featured Fiyin Toyo, Kie-Kie (Oluwabukunmi Adeaga-Ilori), Akin Faminu, and Ozinna Anumudu. Together, they discussed how hygiene, self-care, and confidence form the unseen foundation of style.
Furthermore, they agreed that true fashion starts within, long before the first step on the runway.
Protecting Creativity Through Law: Strengthening African Fashion Brands
The second session tackled a crucial subject — fashion law and intellectual property protection.
Moderated by Sinmisoluwa Adesanya, Founder of Fashion Law Academy Africa, the panel featured Nosa Garrick, Annie Oti, and Kikelola Ojewale. They emphasized that protecting creativity is essential for long-term brand growth.
As a result, stronger legal frameworks can empower African designers to compete globally while securing their unique identities.
Global Threads: Scaling African Fashion Brands Internationally
Next, Crystal Ikanih-Musa, Founder of Legally Ready, led a powerful masterclass on scaling African brands globally.
She was joined by Toyosi Etim-Effiong (That Good Media) and Joy Musa (ULearniverse). Together, they discussed how authenticity, strong storytelling, and sound business strategy can help African designers thrive internationally.
Moreover, they explored ways to balance creativity with compliance in global trade.
The Evolution of Fabric Making in Nigeria: Preservation, Revival, and Reinvention
Moderated by Tejumola Maurice-Diya, Founder of The Fashioned Museum, this session explored Nigeria’s textile heritage.
Designers Florentina Agu (Hertunba), Ifedayo Nupo (Moye Africa), and Michelle Adepoju (Kilentar) examined how traditional craftsmanship can coexist with modern innovation.
In addition, they discussed how preserving indigenous techniques could strengthen the local economy and inspire global appreciation for Nigerian textiles.
Runway Highlights: In Full Bloom with Craftsmanship and Culture
The evening runway lit up with nineteen designers unveiling their Spring/Summer 2026 collections. Each look told a story through bold textures, silhouettes, and cultural storytelling.
From Emmy Kasbit’s akwete fabrics to Fruché’s gender-fluid finale featuring Ciara, the night showcased creativity at its peak.
Other highlights included:
- Hertunba’s inclusive runway with diverse body types
- Boyedoe’s fusion of kente and denim
- Studio Imo’s technicolor knitwear performance
- Rendoll’s romantic silhouettes
- The OR Foundation Showcase, which featured sustainable labels Calcul, Alpha Tribe, and Koma
Altogether, the night celebrated African design rooted in sustainability and identity.
Day Two closed with a reaffirmation of Lagos Fashion Week’s purpose — to build a future where confidence, craft, and consciousness thrive together.
Day 3: LFW2025 Connects Business, Culture, and the Future of African Fashion
LFW2025 Day 3 deepened the dialogue between fashion, culture, and commerce. The day’s Fashion Business Series focused on sustainability, inclusion, and workforce development.
Meanwhile, the evening runway transformed these ideas into color, form, and movement.
From Cotton to Catwalk: Building Africa’s Textile Value Chain
The morning began with “From Cotton to Catwalk: Unlocking Value Addition in Africa’s Textile Value Chains.”
Moderated by Ezreen Benissan, the conversation featured Ozzy Etomi, Oroma Itegboje, Osam Iyahen, Eme Bassey, and Suren Abeywickrema.
Anchored by Banji Feyitola, Executive Director at Africa Finance Corporation, the discussion emphasized the need for value addition in Africa’s textile industry.
Currently, the market is valued at $82 billion. With strategic investment, it could double by 2036. “We must spin it, we must weave it, we must produce it,” Feyitola stated.
This underscored the importance of building an integrated and sustainable value chain across Africa.
Fashion for Every Body: Inclusion, Innovation, and Identity
In a historic moment, Lagos Fashion Week 2025 hosted its first panel led by disabled voices.
Curated by Adaptive Atelier and moderated by Denise Eseimokumoh, Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire Nigeria, the session explored how disability intersects with identity and style.
Speakers Toyosi Alexis, Zainab Mohammed, Kanyinsola Onalaja, and Maryann shared personal stories of self-expression through adaptive fashion.
Notably, the panel featured ASL interpretation and participation from special needs children.
As a result, the session demonstrated how inclusion can be both practical and beautiful within fashion spaces.
Fashion Workforce: People. Pay. Progress.
The final session, “Fashion Workforce: People. Pay. Progress.”, focused on the human side of fashion.
Moderated by Damilola Ademilokun, the panel featured Irunna Ejibe, Boye Asenuga, Tolu Akinpeloye, and Otunwa Benedict.
They examined fair compensation, structure, and growth across Africa’s creative industries.
“There was no real structure until ten years ago — everyone was just a hustler,” Akinpeloye remarked.
However, the panel agreed that stronger frameworks and fair pay can transform the fashion workforce into a sustainable ecosystem.
Runway Highlights: A Celebration of Movement, Identity, and Craftsmanship
The evening runway extended the spirit of purpose and creativity. Fifteen designers unveiled their Spring/Summer 2026 collections, blending heritage with modern design.
Sevon Dejana opened with sculptural couture and cascading beadwork, while Ibilola Ogundipe followed with soft, fluid fabrics and feathers.
Meanwhile, designers Malité, Garbe, and Cute Saint merged streetwear with traditional craftsmanship.
Love From Julez impressed with architectural pleats, and JZO delivered impeccable tailoring with gender-fluid energy.
Collaborations also stood out. NIVEA x Fruché debuted a sleek monochrome capsule, while Lush Hair closed with a textured visual statement led by chef Hilda Baci in a flowing pink gown.
Every collection echoed the freedom to create without limits. Ultimately, it showcased how sustainability, innovation, and identity continue to define African fashion.
LFW2025: In Full Bloom — A Vision of African Fashion’s Future
Days Two and Three of Lagos Fashion Week 2025 reaffirmed the event’s role as Africa’s leading creative platform. It is where business meets artistry, and where designers transform ideas into impact.
Together, the conversations and collections showed that the continent’s fashion industry is In Full Bloom — confident, connected, and proudly African.
👉 For more details, visit lagosfashionweek.ng or follow @lagosfashionweekofficial on Instagram and @LFW_NG on Twitter for real-time updates and behind-the-scenes coverage.
