Lagos Fashion Week 2024 wrapped up with a powerful message ranking African fashion to be on the rise worldwide, leaving African designers with supports from global brands show.
This year, more than 40,000 people attended both in-person shows and digital presentations to see the latest from African designers. With big-name brands and fashion industry leaders flying in from all over the world, the event highlighted the incredible talent on the continent, blending traditional African styles with modern, fresh designs.
2024 edition of the programme outstandingly records and represents the year for African Fashion, although Lagos Fashion Week is one of the biggest events in African fashion, but this year’s turnout broke records. Thousands of people, designers, influencers, buyers, and fashion lovers gathered in Lagos, Nigeria, to see what African fashion has to offer. This level of international interest showed just how far African fashion has come and that the global fashion community is paying attention to the continent’s creativity.
According Omoyemi Akerele, the event’s founder states that “Lagos Fashion Week has always been about celebrating African talent,” “This year, the support from international brands and buyers shows that African designers are making a big impact on global fashion.”
African Designers Team Up with Global Brands, and one of the biggest highlights this year was the collaboration between African designers and international brands such as large companies like Heineken, through its Revere program, not only sponsored the event but also partnered with local designers on projects that combined African and international styles. These partnerships are a big step forward for African fashion, showing that African designers have what it takes to work with top brands worldwide.
Many designers were thrilled to connect with these brands, seeing it as a chance to reach new audiences. Amaka Eze, a Lagos-based designer, said, “This isn’t just about clothes for us. It’s a chance to tell our story and share our culture. Having global brands want to work with us is amazing and very exciting.”
On this year’s edition several designers captured everyone’s attention with their unique collections. Tatum H, a designer known for mixing African patterns with modern, simple styles, wowed the crowd with pieces focused on sustainability and Afro-futurism (a style that blends African culture with futuristic ideas). Her collection used metallic fabrics and interesting layers, catching the eye of international media. Rumor has it that Tatum H may even be working on a collaboration with a major European fashion brand next season.
Another popular designer, Yinka Folawiyo, created a collection inspired by the lively streets of Lagos. Using bright colors, bold patterns, and oversized shapes, Folawiyo’s pieces showed the vibrant energy of Lagos and the African diaspora (the African community worldwide). Buyers from cities like London and New York have already placed orders for his designs, excited to bring African-inspired streetwear to new markets.
International Buyers as well show support for African Fashion infact the increase in international buyers attending Lagos Fashion Week this year was a big deal. For years, African designers have struggled to get their work seen outside the continent. But with so many buyers from Europe, North America, and Asia coming to Lagos, African designers are now reaching new markets and growing their businesses globally.
One European buyer explained, “I’m always looking for fresh talent, and African designers have something really special. Their designs feel real and connected to their culture. It’s a different kind of creativity that’s very exciting.”
With more international buyers showing interest, demand for African fashion is growing fast. Many buyers mentioned that their customers are excited about African designs, which bring something unique and colorful to global fashion.
This edition of the show brings about inevitable questions that ask what could be the next for African Fashion? which naturally answers that Lagos Fashion Week 2024 was just the beginning which unveils that African designers are already planning their next collections and some are setting up partnerships with international brands to reach even bigger audiences. The excitement around Lagos Fashion Week shows that African fashion is not just a trend—it’s a growing movement with real staying power.
As African designers continue to develop their craft and share their stories through fashion, they’re making a lasting mark on the global industry. With strong support from buyers and brands around the world, the future of African fashion looks brighter than ever.
Lagos Fashion Week 2024 has shown that African fashion is ready for the world, and the world is ready to embrace it.
