The fashion world’s eyes are once again turning to Lagos as Nigeria’s most vibrant city prepares to host Lagos Fashion Week from 25 – 26 October 2023.
The event, now in its 13th edition, promises a dazzling array of fashion-related activities, including runway shows, presentations, workshops, and retail activations.
What sets Lagos Fashion Week apart is its unwavering commitment to sustainability and community building. In a world increasingly aware of fashion’s environmental and societal impact, this year’s edition focuses on collaboration, co-creation, and community as core values.
The goal is to create a functional fashion system that not only champions creativity but also delivers solutions for our environment, society, and economy. Lagos Fashion Week recognizes that its strength lies in the collective, emphasizing the importance of fostering an ecosystem that uplifts and supports each participant.
This year’s event is not just about style but also storytelling. Lagos Fashion Week remains dedicated to the rich cultural narratives rooted in African creativity and craftsmanship. It’s an opportunity to explore the diverse and multifaceted world of African fashion, where heritage meets innovation and tradition intertwines with contemporary expression.
As we anticipate the 2023 Lagos Fashion Week, we look forward to a showcase of the very best in fashion and a celebration of the unique stories that make African fashion a global sensation.
Lineup to include:
- XRETAIL – After a successful pop-up across key cities in Africa such as Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, and Cape Town, XRetail returns to Lagos in concept stores: Zinkata & Vane Style, from October 25th to 31st. Consumers can explore a handpicked collection of both established and up-and-coming African designers.
- Lagos Fashion Week x ANKA – On Wednesday, October 23, Lagos Fashion Week, in collaboration with ANKA, an Ivorian-based e-commerce startup formerly AFRIKEA, will be hosting a private roundtable dinner with key industry stakeholders and a designer cocktail event to kick off LagosFW festivities.
- UNESCO Report – On October 26, during Lagos Fashion Week, UNESCO will launch its first-ever report on “The African Fashion Sector: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities for Growth,” which offers an overview of the enormous potential of the African fashion industry and presents strategic recommendations for its sustainable growth. Register here.
- Runway Shows – From October 26–28, Lagos Fashion Week tents will officially open for runway shows. Doors will open at 5 p.m. daily at the Federal Palace Hotel.
- Swap Shop – From October 26th to 28th, Swapshop will be back at Lagos Fashion Week in partnership with ZeClutter. Embracing the principles of a circular economy, which emphasize reuse, reduction, and recycling, the Swap Shop initiative encourages consumers to consider how their purchasing decisions can drive change by facilitating the exchange of pre-owned items such as swapping, sharing, donating, and resale.
- Green Access Showcase – With a profound focus on transforming waste in Lagos into innovative and eco-conscious designs, Luqman Ajani, founder of Ajaneé; Adebayo Adedamola, founder of Bornstarng; Wuraola Omiyale, founder of By.Wuzzy; Tunde Shoremekun, founder of E.S.O by Liman; and Temetan Omolabake, founder of Dust of the Earth, will craft their collections from waste materials, primarily using second-hand clothes sourced from the largest second-hand markets in Lagos, and take to the runway on Saturday, October 28.
- Heineken at 150 Launch – Heineken, one of the world’s most recognized beer brands, is marking its 150th anniversary with a launch event on #LagosFW grounds on Saturday 28th October. The launch event will be a demonstration of Heineken’s commitment to spreading the spirit of good times and embracing the gezelligheid lifestyle that Heineken represents.
- Lagos Fashion Week and The Fashion Collective Naija: Garments Of The Future – Lagos Fashion Week is embarking on an innovative collaboration with The Fashion Collective Naija to venture into uncharted territories by introducing “Garments of the Future” — an initiative aimed at creating digital replicas of clothing seen on the runway. This collaboration represents a pivotal step forward in the fashion industry as it aligns physical fashion presentations with emerging digital possibilities.
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