Lagos, once considered one of the world's most exciting fashion weeks, has quietly carved out its own space on the global calendar. Founded in 2011 by Omoyemi Akerele, the event has grown into a five-day showcase attended by over 15,000 people. While the big four fashion weeks remain the industry's undisputed powerhouses, Lagos has evolved to become a key player, showcasing Nigerian talent and addressing themes such as sustainability, gender, identity, and craft preservation.
The city's unique approach to fashion lies in its focus on community and storytelling rather than grand budgets or legacy houses. This allows designers to innovate and create platforms that address real issues, such as transforming waste into beauty through initiatives like the Green Access program. The event has become a proving ground for young designers, with many going on to achieve international success.
A key strength of Lagos fashion week is its ability to balance community-driven storytelling with global recognition. This month, the event was announced as one of the winners of the Earthshot prize, recognising its pioneering role in sustainable fashion and awarding it £1 million. The prize reflects the growing recognition of African fashion's potential to drive positive change, not just through aesthetics but also through responsible consumption.
At the heart of Lagos fashion week is a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. As Akerele said, "Fashion has the power to create jobs, preserve culture, and transform lives." By showcasing designers who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible with sustainable materials and practices, the event is not only driving growth but also challenging traditional notions of beauty and fashion.
For Lagos, the recognition comes as no surprise. The city's fashion scene has been steadily growing in influence, with many Nigerian designers gaining international recognition for their innovative designs and commitment to sustainability. With its focus on community-driven storytelling and global recognition, Lagos fashion week is poised to continue shaping what fashion in Nigeria – and the wider African continent – looks like today.
One of the standout features of this year's event was the incredible diversity of talent on show. Designers such as Bubu Ogisi, winner of the 2025 Zalando Visionary award, showcased collections that not only turned discarded materials into beautiful works of art but also addressed pressing social issues like waste and consumption.
The impact of Lagos fashion week extends beyond the runway itself. The event has become a hub for innovation and collaboration, bringing together designers, brands, and consumers to drive positive change in the fashion industry. With its focus on sustainability and social responsibility, the event is helping to shape a new future for fashion that is not only beautiful but also meaningful and responsible.
As Akerele said, "We do this work because we believe that fashion has the power to create jobs, preserve culture, and transform lives." For Lagos fashion week, the recognition from the Earthshot prize is just another testament to its growing influence and impact.
The city's unique approach to fashion lies in its focus on community and storytelling rather than grand budgets or legacy houses. This allows designers to innovate and create platforms that address real issues, such as transforming waste into beauty through initiatives like the Green Access program. The event has become a proving ground for young designers, with many going on to achieve international success.
A key strength of Lagos fashion week is its ability to balance community-driven storytelling with global recognition. This month, the event was announced as one of the winners of the Earthshot prize, recognising its pioneering role in sustainable fashion and awarding it £1 million. The prize reflects the growing recognition of African fashion's potential to drive positive change, not just through aesthetics but also through responsible consumption.
At the heart of Lagos fashion week is a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. As Akerele said, "Fashion has the power to create jobs, preserve culture, and transform lives." By showcasing designers who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible with sustainable materials and practices, the event is not only driving growth but also challenging traditional notions of beauty and fashion.
For Lagos, the recognition comes as no surprise. The city's fashion scene has been steadily growing in influence, with many Nigerian designers gaining international recognition for their innovative designs and commitment to sustainability. With its focus on community-driven storytelling and global recognition, Lagos fashion week is poised to continue shaping what fashion in Nigeria – and the wider African continent – looks like today.
One of the standout features of this year's event was the incredible diversity of talent on show. Designers such as Bubu Ogisi, winner of the 2025 Zalando Visionary award, showcased collections that not only turned discarded materials into beautiful works of art but also addressed pressing social issues like waste and consumption.
The impact of Lagos fashion week extends beyond the runway itself. The event has become a hub for innovation and collaboration, bringing together designers, brands, and consumers to drive positive change in the fashion industry. With its focus on sustainability and social responsibility, the event is helping to shape a new future for fashion that is not only beautiful but also meaningful and responsible.
As Akerele said, "We do this work because we believe that fashion has the power to create jobs, preserve culture, and transform lives." For Lagos fashion week, the recognition from the Earthshot prize is just another testament to its growing influence and impact.
️ I'm low-key obsessed with Lagos fashion week 
! They're killing it with their sustainable approach 
and community-driven storytelling 
. It's amazing to see Nigerian talent getting international recognition 
for pushing boundaries in eco-friendly fashion 
. The event's impact goes beyond the runway, it's a movement towards creating positive change 
. I love how they're not just about aesthetics, but also about responsible consumption and preserving culture 
. Bubu Ogisi's designs are giving me life 
! 
. By doing so, they're not only promoting their own country's fashion but also providing a platform for other African designers to share their stories and showcase their unique perspectives. It's amazing to see how the event has gained international recognition, including that prestigious Earthshot prize award 
.
. Designers like Bubu Ogisi are turning discarded materials into beautiful works of art, which not only reduces waste but also challenges traditional notions of beauty and fashion. It's a really exciting time for fashion, and I think Lagos Fashion Week is leading the way 
. By bringing together diverse stakeholders to drive positive change, they're helping to shape a new future for fashion that's not only beautiful but also meaningful and responsible. That's something we can all get behind 
. It's amazing how Lagos fashion week is not just about aesthetics but also about driving positive change in the industry. The impact goes beyond the runway, it's a hub for innovation and collaboration 
I mean, it's about time someone gave Lagos fashion week some props. They've been doing this for years, and it's only now that they're getting recognized globally? 
It's not like they're the first ones to do sustainability-focused fashion weeks or anything.
And who knows, maybe this recognition will finally get some international investors interested in the Nigerian market. Fingers crossed, right? 
. We've been talking about sustainability and social responsibility in the fashion industry for years, but it's not until now that we're seeing some real action happening 
. It's all about using our passions and talents to make a difference in the world, one outfit at a time 
.
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. It's not just about throwing a bunch of models on the runway; it's about showcasing the stories behind the designs and the people who are making them happen 
It's bringing together designers, brands, and consumers to drive positive change in the fashion industry. We need more events like this that prioritize sustainability and social responsibility 
. It's a testament to Lagos fashion week's growing influence and impact. I'm excited to see what the future holds for this event and the talented designers who are making it happen 
, Nigerian fashion has been killing it lately! Bubu Ogisi's collection was amazing 
I mean, Bubu Ogisi is a total genius with waste materials – her designs are so innovative and beautiful! 
. Can't wait to see what the future holds for this talented bunch 
. It's not like they're actually doing anything new or innovative - it's just rehashing the same old sustainable materials and practices that every other designer is already using 
.
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. The real innovation is happening elsewhere, not here in Lagos 
.
! It's like they're on a whole different level, you know? They're not just about lookin' fly and makin' bank, they're about storytellin', community, and changin' the game 
. And let's give it up for Omoyemi Akerele, she's the real MVP 
!
, but I'm not surprised at all – Lagos fashion week has been killin' it in the game for years 
.
it's amazing to see how they're using their platform to promote sustainability and social responsibility 
. The fact that they won the Earthshot prize is just proof that they're doing something right 
. By bringing together designers, brands, and consumers, they're creating a hub for collaboration and positive change. For me, that's what it's all about – using fashion as a force for good