By Faith Ogundoyin

The Lagos Fashion Week 2023 was a grand exhibition of African design concepts, the ones that will have you feeling good at a Detty December party. The theme for this year’s event was “Woven Threads IV: Standing the Test of Time”, which was showcased both physically and virtually. The event spanned four days, from 25^th October to 29^th October, and featured the work of various designers. Their creations highlighted the enduring values of African designs that have stood the test of time. The event aimed to address the question, “What will traditional African craftsmanship look like when it constantly intertwines with new influences to create unique shapes and forms?”

The designers who participated in the fashion week offered their distinct ideas and styles to the event, resulting in a broad spectrum of designs emphasising African themes. The designers demonstrated their grasp of colour, texture, and shape, creating exquisite items that stood out on the runway, from traditional textiles to modern aesthetics. The designers’ work emphasised the necessity of preserving traditional African craftsmanship while also experimenting with new inspirations to create one-of-a-kind shapes and forms.

Perhaps you care to try out an outfit made by some of the designers who got the opportunity to showcase their work. If you want to know the right couture that will work for you, then you should let us be your guide.

ALSO READ: All we saw at the Lagos Fashion Week starring Governor Sanwo-Olu’s kiss

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• NKWO: Is an artisanal brand leading Nigeria’s sustainable fashion movement, with the label’s key beliefs being the conservation of natural resources and the environment. Recognising the environmental impact of running a fashion label, the brand’s major focus hovers around textile waste reduction, producing handmade and limited-edition items from up-cycled denim, acquiring made-in-Nigeria cotton, the selection of end-of-line textiles, and eliminating waste. This emphasis on minimising waste has also resulted in the development of a ‘new African fabric’ known as DAKALA CLOTH. NKWO is committed to creating a positive image of Africa, and her unique interpretations of the continent’s rich history, culture, and customs have helped founder Nkwo Onwuka establish herself as one of Africa’s top fashion designers, championing the African Renaissance.

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• ATAFO: Offers magnificent handmade tailored clothes, as well as one-of-a-kind, elegant bridal gowns and, more recently, uber-fashionable ready-to-wear designs. The label is noted for its clean cuts and flawless fit, all while paying meticulous attention to the smallest details and ensuring that each piece is crafted with love and experience.

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• AAJIYA: Is a contemporary lifestyle brand that changes the narrative of African Fashion and empowers multidimensional women who embrace their full identity and freedom. The brand works around a non-cliché́ ideology of what African fashion is by challenging and undermining stereotypes of African fashion with every piece created. AAJIYA’s mission is to change the narrative by creating various types of fabrics, rich colour patterns, and textures from Africa.

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• BLOKE: Is a unisex Nigerian brand recognised for its unique approach to knitwear, a category usually ignored in current African design and hence open for experimentation. The brand delves into luxury through a unique and bohemian design aesthetic infused with a spiritual undertone.

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• CUTE-SAINT: Is an African sustainable unisex couture that aims to express often unexplored African stories and narratives through colours, textures, shapes, and lines which then bridge the “luxury and affordability” gap. Cute-Saint takes pride in developing unique edgy designs using locally produced organic fabrics and batiks manufactured by masterful local artists. Each Cute-Saint piece is designed with the environment in mind, as they believe we all have a role to play in making the world a better place to live.

The Lagos Fashion Week 2023 was a magnificent testament to the everlasting nature of African aesthetics. This year celebrated inventiveness and skill while also blending traditional and modern design components.

Now, with the event done and dusted, it is time to create more closet space so that your new entries can fit in courtesy of an audacious reimagining of the modern Afrique for the world to see through intimate clothing.

Faith Ogundoyin

Faith is an intern at Meiza and an entrepreneur who enjoys writing. She is passionate about pursuing her interests in both fields and believes that hard work and dedication are essential to achieving success.