By Kehinde KOLAWOLE
The 2024 GTCO Fashion Week launched in grand style on Saturday in Lagos, spotlighting an extraordinary lineup of Nigerian designers who brought innovation and elegance to the runway. Headlining the event, Ninie, May Africa, Elpis Megalio, Jewel Jemila, Lohije, and Ibilola Ogundipe captivated audiences with collections that celebrated both Nigerian heritage and contemporary flair. Each designer unveiled unique, vibrant creations that underscored Nigeria’s influence in global fashion, infusing traditional elements with bold, modern aesthetics. The opening day’s showcase established GTCO Fashion Week as a premier platform for Nigeria’s fashion visionaries, setting an exciting tone for the season ahead.
Designers Lohije, Ninie, and Jemila stole the spotlight at GTCO Fashion Week, captivating the audience with designs that beautifully expressed each of their distinct styles. Their collections came to life on the runway through stunning Black models who embodied the essence of each creation, adding depth and power to the designers’ vision. With elegance and originality, each piece highlighted the designers’ flair for blending tradition with modern artistry, leaving the crowd in awe.
Jemila’s ready-to-wear collection turned heads at GTCO Fashion Week, as her models graced the runway in vibrant, eye-catching gowns that radiated creativity and elegance. Each piece showcased her signature style, blending bold colors with effortless sophistication, capturing the admiration of the audience and highlighting her unique flair in ready-to-wear fashion.
Lohije’s collection paid homage to African heritage, with designs that artfully wove tradition and modernity. Crafted primarily from rich Adire and Aso-oke fabrics, each piece celebrated the beauty of African culture, bringing timeless patterns and textures to life on the runway. Her work highlighted the versatility and vibrancy of these traditional materials, leaving an indelible mark on the audience.
Similarly, Ninie’s collection mesmerized the audience, delivering a powerful tribute to African culture through a meticulous focus on outfits, hairstyles, and overall aesthetic. Each model walked the runway embodying Africa’s rich heritage, with every detail— from bold clothing designs to intricate hair arrangements—serving as a celebration of style and identity. Ninie’s vision offered a complete, captivating portrayal of African elegance and innovation.
The 2024 GTCO Fashion Weekend runway dazzles as a centerpiece, showcasing a thoughtfully curated array of bold, striking fashion from Africa’s top brands. Each look on display tells a story of innovation and heritage, presenting a vibrant tapestry of African style that celebrates creativity and craftsmanship at its finest. This year’s runway promises unforgettable moments, elevating African fashion to new heights.
The event brilliantly spotlighted Africa’s rising stars, transforming the runway into a lively celebration of style and innovation. Bursting with color and energy, the showcase presented a rich diversity of trends, each piece reflecting the vibrant pulse of African fashion’s next generation.
The runway also played host to an impressive lineup of designers, including Onalala, Lacuan Smith, Orire, Romeo Hunt, Laquan Smith, Hue by Idera, and Gert Johan Coetzee. Each brought their own unique flair to the stage, enriching the fashion showcase with a blend of contemporary elegance and cutting-edge design.
Masterclasses
On Saturday, four esteemed industry experts—Lulu Kennedy, Patricia Bright, Sheika Daley, and Ted Gibson—led insightful masterclasses at the fashion show. Their sessions provided invaluable guidance on crafting and sustaining successful fashion brands, equipping attendees with essential knowledge to thrive in today’s competitive industry while preparing for the future.
The masterclasses, designed for entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts alike, offered a treasure trove of expert advice on building and sustaining fashion brands. With a focus on both current trends and future strategies, the sessions equipped participants with the tools and insights needed to navigate the evolving fashion landscape and secure long-term success.
Fashion editor Lulu Kennedy captivated the audience with her session, “Incubating Talent: Supporting the Next Generation,” offering key strategies for nurturing emerging fashion talent. Meanwhile, fashion influencer Patricia Bright led an engaging masterclass titled “Style, Influence + Everything In Between: Creating Your Online World,” sharing her expertise on building a strong digital presence and influencing style in the modern age.
Fashion editor Ms. Lulu Kennedy expressed her willingness to collaborate with young Nigerian fashion designers, emphasizing that financial backing would be key to making these partnerships a reality. She highlighted the importance of funding in empowering emerging talent and helping them scale their creative visions.
Ms. Lulu Kennedy shared her openness to collaborating with emerging Nigerian designers, saying, “With the right partners and strategy, why not? While it’s something we haven’t done before and there are logistical challenges, I believe it’s possible. Unfortunately, I don’t have the funding, but perhaps we could explore a partnership with GTCO to make it happen.”
On Sunday, the grand finale of the event will feature renowned makeup artist Sheila Daley, who will lead a session titled “A Maestro in the World of Celebrity Makeup Artistry,” offering expert insights into her craft. Celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson, whose New York salon has styled A-list clients like Anne Hathaway, Renée Zellweger, and Zoe Saldana, will present a 60-minute masterclass, “Iconic Hair: The Hollywood Story,” sharing the secrets behind creating the iconic looks of Hollywood’s elite.
The 2024 GTCO Fashion Week, concluding on Sunday, has been a vibrant celebration of style, featuring stunning runway shows, insightful masterclasses, and captivating exhibitions. Among its many highlights are the streetwear collections, showcasing bold and innovative designs, as well as exciting street fashion that adds a dynamic edge to the week’s festivities. The event also offers exclusive sales, allowing fashion enthusiasts to take home a piece of the action.
The fashion show is designed to spotlight Africa’s premier talents, empower small businesses in the fashion sector, and foster connections among global fashion leaders and industry experts. It also offers valuable networking opportunities for hundreds of local fashion enterprises, creating a platform for collaboration and growth within the industry.
Patricia Bright’s masterclass focuses on equipping small fashion designers with the tools to enhance their online presence, tap into new markets, and position themselves for long-term growth. With a strong emphasis on networking, the session aims to help designers broaden their reach and build a sustainable brand in the digital age.
Segun Agbaje, CEO of GTCO Holdings, remarked that this year’s edition of the fashion event highlights the growing global influence of African fashion, showcasing its dynamic contributions to the global style landscape.
He emphasized that the programme’s mission extends beyond this weekend’s event, with a strong commitment to fostering creativity, empowering entrepreneurs, and ensuring that African fashion continues to gain global recognition and respect.
Mr. Agbaje stated, “As we celebrate this edition, let’s recognize the profound global influence of African fashion. It has evolved into a worldwide phenomenon, embraced by international designers and celebrities alike. African fabrics, patterns, and aesthetics are now gracing luxury boutiques in Paris, Milan, and New York, shaping the collections of fashion houses across the globe.”
He continues as thus; “We recognize the significance of nurturing this growth,” Mr. Agbaje continued. “Whether you’re attending a masterclass, exploring the latest collections, or witnessing the runway come alive, this weekend is a celebration of the diversity, creativity, and brilliance that define African fashion. I encourage you to fully immerse yourself in everything the 7th edition of GTCO Fashion Weekend 2024 has to offer.”
In conclusion however, The Guaranty Trust Fashion Weekend is an exciting fashion exhibition and empowerment event designed to fuel growth in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding fashion industry. With a focus on consumer engagement, it serves as a platform to showcase the vibrant talents of local designers while offering invaluable resources for business development, bridging the gap between fashion enthusiasts and industry professionals. By fostering creativity and entrepreneurship, this event aims to elevate Nigeria’s fashion scene, offering both inspiration and practical tools for success.
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