…Empowering Emerging Designers, Entrepreneurs Across Globe
Lagos was the top destination for everything style and beauty when GTCO Fashion Weekend raised the curtain of its ninth edition with ‘Fashion Is Timeless’ as the thematic roadmap that routed the two-day event from masterclasses, to exhibitions, streets wear showcases, runways among other highlights.
As the fashion industry continues to play a vital role in global economy, Nigeria’s hold remains steady to the plow without looking back through organisations like the Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc’ GTCO Fashion Weekend, which in the last nine years has stayed committed to not only showcasing the dynamics of African culture, heritage and lifestyle through fashion but also significantly contributing to the economic growth of the country by empowering entrepreneurs and developing businesses.
The two day event which took place last weekend at the GT Centre Victoria Island Lagos last weekend brought together fashion designers, entrepreneurs, industry professionals, beauty experts and fashion enthusiasts.
The Masterclasses
The series of masterclasses this year featured facilitators from the fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries including Olamide Olowe; Rachel Ojuromi; Ihsan Bilal; Renee Morris and Sherlina Nym who all taught the audience the dynamics of the industry at different levels.
The Runway
If anything stands GTCO Fashion Weekend out aside from giving free spaces to one hundred and forty exhibitors, it is the intentionality of providing emerging designers from Nigeria and across the globe, its runway platform to showcase their collections.
The diverse showcase of fashion from global ethnicities beyond the shores of Africa, blending contemporary fashion with timeless traditional styles is what makes GTCO Fashion Weekend a global stage.
Across the two days, the runway show featured collections from Tongoro, FIA Factory, Ibrahim Fernandez, Washington Roberts, Maison Sara Chraibi and Imane Ayissi, Sukeina, House of Marvee, Selam Fessahaye, Kim Shui, Ohlanna Bu Zikora and LaQuan Smith.
The Craft Fabric Market
Amongst the many lineups this year including the GTCO Fashion Collective, the introduction of the Craft Fabric Market stood out, providing visibility for indigenous textile producers and traditional artisans, including Aso-oke weavers and Adire dyers.