Lagos Fashion Week 2026 has brought together some of Africa’s most compelling fashion talents for its 16th edition, with designers presenting collections that explore traditional craftsmanship, contemporary silhouettes and more sustainable approaches to fashion. Among the highlights were Emmy Kasbit’s collaboration with ALÁRA, Sisiano’s fluid Spring/Summer 2027 collection and Ajanéé’s inventive use of reconstructed garments.
Taking place under the theme “CRAFTED: Heritage. Innovation. Circular Futures.,“ this year’s event has placed African craftsmanship and the people behind it at the center of the fashion conversation. The five-day event combined runway presentations with industry discussions on artisan visibility, fashion entrepreneurship, intellectual property and circular design. From established names such as Orange Culture and Christie Brown to emerging creative voices, the collections showcased different interpretations of what contemporary African fashion can look like.
Sisiano Presents Some Birds Fly South
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Sisiano followed with its Spring/Summer 2027 collection, “Some Birds Fly South,“ bringing sheer fabrics, fringe detailing and relaxed menswear silhouettes to the runway.
Hand-printed fabrics added character to the collection, while the combination of transparency and movement gave several pieces a distinct visual identity. The presentation offered a relaxed but expressive approach to contemporary dressing, with textile treatments doing much of the work.
Orange Culture Explores The In-Between
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Orange Culture’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection, “The In-Between,“ explored familiar silhouettes through unconventional proportions and surface treatments.
The collection featured sheer layering, hand-stitched embellishments, uneven proportions and looped-yarn surfaces. A varied color palette further expanded the presentation, allowing the designer to experiment with different textures and visual contrasts. It was a thoughtful exploration of the relationship between recognizable clothing forms and more experimental design techniques.
Hertunba Returns With Signature Drop-Waist Silhouettes
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Day 2 saw Hertunba revisit some of its recognizable design elements through a collection featuring drop-waist silhouettes, statement fringes and beaded embellishments.
Presented in shades of blue, brown and black, the collection continued the visual direction established in the label’s previous presentation, “Akaoru.“ The combination of texture, embellishment and distinctive proportions gave the pieces a cohesive identity.
Ajanéé Explores Circular Fashion Through Garment Reconstruction
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One of the more direct interpretations of this year’s circular fashion theme came from Ajanéé’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection, “Masquerading (Cloth as Spirit).“
The designer explored the reconstruction of existing garments, transforming old jerseys into dresses and combining them with sheer fabrics. The approach offered a creative perspective on material reuse, demonstrating how existing clothing can be reworked into entirely different designs.
Street Souk Brings Experimental Streetwear to the Runway
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Street Souk presented work from four designers–520G, Cashmerihero, Zacchi Lagos and Fahlil, delivering a streetwear-led showcase that brought together bomber jackets, metallic finishes, experimental headwear and detachable hoodies.
The presentation also featured leather interpretations of the traditional agbada, introducing a contemporary streetwear perspective to a familiar Nigerian garment. The mix of experimental styling and recognizable cultural references made the showcase one of Day 2’s more distinctive presentations.
Bakusoraya and Cute-Saint Celebrate Indigenous Textiles
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Traditional craftsmanship remained an important feature of the second day’s runway presentations. Benin Republic-based label Bakusoraya placed indigenous textiles at the center of its collection, using embroidery and fringe detailing against a restrained neutral palette.
Cute-Saint also drew from traditional references, bringing adire to the forefront through cowrie embellishments. The presentation concluded with a masquerade performance, reinforcing its connection to cultural expression and heritage.
Sevon Dejana and DWL Showcase Detailed Craftsmanship
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Sevon Dejana delivered a couture-inspired presentation featuring intricate floral embroidery, bold embellishments and structured silhouettes. The collection emphasized detailed construction, with each look offering its own interpretation of statement dressing.
DWL took a more refined approach, presenting structured tailoring, rich colors and contemporary silhouettes. Playful fringe details and statement draping added character to the collection, balancing classic construction with more expressive design choices.
Emmy Kasbit and ALÁRA Reimagine Traditional Akwete Textiles
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One of the major highlights came from Nigerian designer Emmy Kasbit, who collaborated with luxury retailer ALÁRA on “Akwete Reimagined,“ a capsule collection exploring the possibilities of traditional Akwete weaving through contemporary design.
The presentation featured statement pieces that placed the indigenous textile at the forefront, giving us a fresh interpretation of a material deeply connected to Nigerian cultural heritage. The collaboration aligned with this year’s focus on preserving traditional craftsmanship while creating opportunities for indigenous techniques to find relevance in modern fashion.
Lagos Fashion Week 2026 Puts the Future of African Fashion in Focus
Beyond the runway, the first two days of Lagos Fashion Week 2026 featured conversations about the commercial and creative structures needed to strengthen the African fashion industry.
Day 1 included discussions on supporting textile artisans, developing sustainable business models and accessing financing for fashion enterprises. Day 2 to 5 continued with conversations about overconsumption, intellectual property protection, circular fashion and building businesses that can outlast their founders.
A fireside conversation between Lagos Fashion Week founder Omoyemi Akerele and Business of Fashion founder Imran Amed also explored curiosity and adaptability as essential qualities for navigating changes in the fashion industry.
The discussions and runway presentations provided a clearer picture of the ideas shaping this year’s edition. While designers explored new interpretations of traditional textiles, garment reconstruction and contemporary African silhouettes, the accompanying conversations addressed the infrastructure and business practices needed to sustain that creativity.
With its focus on heritage, innovation and circular futures, Lagos Fashion Week 2026 has opened with a strong showcase of the creative possibilities emerging across African fashion.
Check out the most rave-worthy designs on the Lagos Fashion Week 2026 runways…
For Style Sake
Geometric Motion
Dust
Bakusoraya
DWL
ChicNiCity
Garbe
Imprint South Africa
Oshobor
Iremitide
Nkwo
Abiola Olusola
Bornstar
Desiree Iyama
Dukun
Fiu Negru
Ibiola Ogundipe
IDC
Imad Eduso
imo
Irapada
JZO
MOT
Pepper Row
Pettre Taylor
NYA
Holy One
Malité
Pillz n Poizn
E.S.O by Liman
Boyedoe
Namnyak
Dimeji Ilori
Fruché
Jewel Jemila
FIA
Y’Wande
Ugo Monye
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