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It’s Lagos Fashion Week season again, the stage known for its bold styles, grand exhibitions, and unforgettable moments. As we count down to this year’s edition, we take a walk down memory lane to revisit standout highlights that have shaped LFW’s story so far.
The formative years
2011. The inaugural event set the tone: a new platform that brought Nigerian designers, runway shows, and exhibitions under one roof, positioning Lagos as Africa’s fashion capital. Early editions focused on giving the local industry global recognition, with initiatives like Young Designer of the Year and Young Creative Entrepreneur, powered by MTN Nigeria and the British Council.
2012. International names like Matthew Williamson joined, while Lanre Da Silva Ajayi’s “Butterflies” collection blended silk, lace, and bold print to global acclaim
- Orange Culture made headlines with a bold, gender-fluid menswear debut. Models wore painted faces, raffia crowns, and caftan-style shirts paired with skirts, a first on the Nigerian runway.
2014. Kiki Kamanu’s activism-infused collection saw Uju Marshall walk the runway in a #BringBackOurGirls tee.
- For LFDW’s fifth anniversary, a model famously rode a power bike down the runway, sealing the event’s reputation as a daring, boundary-breaking celebration of African creativity.
- The AboutThatCurvyLife collective hosted Nigeria’s first plus-size runway show. A designer’s surprise on-stage proposal also added to the buzz, making it one of the year’s most talked-about moments.
- A brief stage mishap caused sparks mid-show. Agbani Darego took to the runway in a stunning dress by Andrea Iyamah Bridals. Tiwa Savage also closed out the week with an electric live performance.
2018. A Studio 189 model went viral after walking the runway while carrying a baby. That year also saw celebrities like Seyi Shay, Tobi Bakre, and BamBam walking for top designers.
- Ugo Monye featured Big Brother Naija stars Teddy A and Mike Edwards on his runway in a mix of high fashion and pop culture that gave his presentation massive online attention.
- Orange Culture opened its show with audio from the End SARS protests, with a voice shouting, “We want to be fresh”, setting the tone for a collection that blended activism and rebellion with art.
- Denola Grey turned heads in a bold maroon two-piece that fashion editors flagged as the look of the week, and was reposted widely under “Best Street Style” lists.
- Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu closed the show for Emmy Kasbit in a custom outfit that instantly went viral.
- Davido made a surprise appearance on the runway, walking for Ugo Monye in a royal-inspired agbada and holding a staff, in what fans called one of the most iconic celebrity runway moments in LFW history.
- Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attends a Nigeria–Sweden Fashion Show curated by Lagos Fashion Week at The Federal Palace Hotel.
