Nigerian designer BenFash arrives into Nigeria’s fashion limelight with a tasteful urgency.

It’s quite the pristine legacy his bespoke atelier produces, one where his regal concept of culture is manifested in a sweet contrast to the new edgy and liberal waves of style. That growing reputation has also begun to attract continental attention, with BenFash recognised within the African Brands Awards 2025/2026 initiative, under its “50 Distinguished CEOs and Leading Brands Transforming Africa” honours, where the brand received the Most Distinguished CEO 2026 award. In many ways, that recognition feels connected to the very language of Interlude, his recent Lagos exhibition showcased at the Epic Fashion Show. Here, BenFash echoes strong visual markers of traditional wear: agbada, caps and walking staff, as powerful symbols of identity and splendour. He meshes this with structured suits, animal print and monochrome fits that texture Interlude as an arena of tension, heritage and drama.

The second half of the collection brings the contrast into full view. After the structured suits, animal prints and two-pieces that donned the runway, BenFash unveils the indigenous selections with a rather striking look. A man in a large agbada overall, flanked with funky fringes and a faux large animal-cut print in the torso, a huge staff and a fila appears with a charismatic gait.

The garment carries a priestly, royal, almost guardian-like presence. The black fabric, ornate embroidery, tasselled edges and vertical staff make the body feel like a moving monument. The red cap gives the look a traditional authority, while the runway setting pulls it into contemporary fashion theatre. It is this ability to re-stage authority as spectacle, and culture as live memory, that gives BenFash’s work its current force within the African fashion conversation.

The second model struts out wearing another traditional menswear overall with a multicoloured patchwork across the chest. BenFash expresses his signature grandeur motif across the torso in this collection, basically saying his mind out with a full chest. The red cap, walking stick and monochrome hue still extends the regal conversation on the runway. It is his redefinition of cultural memory, reminding us of the authority, regality and charisma that these vintage pieces once conveyed. It, essentially, adds an archival feel to the collection.

The other half of the collection, which actually opened the runway, represented modern-day sophistication. From the black textured two-piece menswear to the burgundy femme wear set, the runway quietened with an urban, cosmopolitan and chic presence. Here, BenFash begins to translate grandeur into Lagos ease, archiving present memories in real time. In this sense, the African Brands Awards recognition does not feel detached from the runway. It mirrors a brand gradually positioning itself as both a design house and a leadership statement.

Another interesting delight in the collection was the cream/ivory flowing menswear look and the leopard-print women’s suit. The ivory look is soft, and almost meditative. Its draped neckline and loose trousers give it a gentle elegance. Then the leopard suit sharply changes the vibe. It is edgy, assertive and glamorous. It’s the side of the collection that has bite and appetite.

The rest of the collection was at best fascinating, and at most very conversational. It stimulated excitement, especially with fits like the dark grey fitted women’s suit/jumpsuit. For a collection that thoroughly explored traditional masculinity in vintage and modern fashion, BenFash also executed his curiosity in the femme wear across the collection. It is, definitely, his way of critiquing the concept of power across genders, intentionally representing both genders as fierce in his Interlude.

The collection’s strongest thread is its movement between heritage and panache. It is a garnished blend of ceremonial pieces, relaxed menswear, animal print, evening tuxedos, white tailoring and grey suits. It sprawls with motifs: maximalist prints on torso, monochrome sets and formal model posturing. Each outfit feels deliberate. They echo depth, texture and vision. At its strongest, Interlude shows BenFash listening to the past and allowing Nigerian elegance return as ceremony, glamour and modern power.