CLEARLY INVINCIBLE Q1 2026 HIGHLIGHTS
- Clearly Invincible
- 22 hours ago
- 10 min read
January - March 2026
EDITOR'S NOTE
The first quarter of 2026 confirmed what the industry has been building toward for years: African fashion is no longer knocking at the door of global fashion systems, it is actively reshaping them.
From the Milan runway, to LVMH Prize semi-finalists, to the King of England's special visit, Q1 delivered moments that will define the decade's fashion narrative.
For Clearly Invincible, Q1 of 2026 holds particular significance on two fronts. In January, we launched the Lagos Fashion Season 2025 Trend Report; the first intelligence document of its kind to examine the Lagos fashion season as a whole.
And in March, our founder and creative lead, Sessi K was recognised in the Fashion Law Institute Africa's Top 100 Women in African Fashion 2026 — a milestone reflecting not just personal achievement but the growing institutional recognition of African fashion's intellectual and creative infrastructure.
This brief documents 26 stories across January, February, and March, curated to track the movements, milestones, and momentum shaping the African fashion landscape.
Q1 AT A GLANCE
25 Total stories tracked
3 Months covered
2 C.I. Milestones
6 Major runway moments
$1.7M Lagos Fashion AVE (C.I. Trend Report)
9 Story categories
Lagos Fashion Season Trend Report: In January 2026, Clearly Invincible launched the Lagos Fashion Season 2025 Trend Report, the first intelligence document of its kind to examine the Lagos fashion season as a whole, with Lagos Fashion Week as its central anchor. Rather than a purely aesthetic recap, the report translates runway expression into strategic insight, mapping brand participation, trend saturation, influencer engagement, digital visibility, and the infrastructural conditions shaping how African fashion is documented and monetised.
Officially launched on January 19, 2026, the report is available in a free public edition and an extended paid edition via the Clearly Invincible website.
African designers at the centre of global Fashion Weeks: Q1 saw an unusually concentrated cluster of African and diaspora designers on official international calendars Imane Ayissi at Paris Couture, Kenneth Ize and Orange Culture at Berlin, Maxhosa Africa and Mossi Traoré at Paris Fashion Week, James Tokyo at Milan, and Tolu Coker closing her NEWGEN tenure at London Fashion Week with the King of England in the front row. This is no longer exceptional; it is becoming structural.
Institutional platforms for African designers are maturing: The launch of Brand63Africa at London Fashion Week with Harrods as a retail partner and King Charles in attendance signals a shift from individual designer visibility to curated, commercially structured access. Similarly, AFWL's 16th edition and the Brand63 Africa St James's Palace showcase ahead of Nigeria's state visit reflect how seriously African fashion is now being taken at institutional and diplomatic levels.
African music and fashion continue to converge globally: Rema walking Diesel's AW26 runway in Milan and Eleven Sixteen dressing Jon Batiste at the Grammys underscore a broader pattern: African musical talent is now directly embedded in fashion's most high-profile moments not as brand ambassadors, but as creative participants.
Awards recognition is widening: IAMISIGO and Yoshita 1967 as LVMH Prize semi-finalists, Onalaja shortlisted for the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, Fadekemi Ogunsanya shortlisted for the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, and Jacques Agbobly receiving the Vilcek Prize Q1 2026 represents one of the strongest award cycles for African and diaspora designers in recent memory.
Sustainability is moving from conversation to infrastructure: Nairobi Fashion Week themed an entire edition around decarbonisation. The Week of Fashion South Africa launched with circularity as a structural pillar. Kantamanto, The Or Foundation, Africa Collect Textiles, and the Ethical Fashion Initiative all logged concrete programmatic work. The rhetoric is catching up with action.
Within this context, the Àdìrẹ sector is being reframed not only as a cultural artifact but as a viable contributor to sustainable textile innovation, with Designers Consociate and Afrikstabel outlining a case for scaling heritage craft through sustainability-led infrastructure that aligns cultural preservation with contemporary industry demands, while highlighting opportunities in low-impact dyeing, localised production chains, and the integration of indigenous knowledge into circular economy models.
Q1 MILESTONES 2026
Clearly Invincible Launches the Lagos Fashion Season 2025 Trend Report
Clearly Invincible, a fashion services and research-led media agency, officially launched the Lagos Fashion Season 2025 Trend Report on January 19, 2026 — announced from Paris during the international fashion season. The report is the first intelligence document of its kind to examine the Lagos fashion season as a whole, with Lagos Fashion Week as its central anchor.
Rather than serving as a purely aesthetic recap, the report translates runway expression into strategic insight: mapping brand participation, trend saturation, influencer engagement, digital visibility, and the infrastructural
conditions shaping how African fashion is documented and monetised. Developed using social listening data, manual data collation, and qualitative industry observation, the report reveals an estimated Advertising Value Equivalent
(AVE) of $1.7 million across the tracked timeline and keywords.
While this figure underscores the growing global attention on Lagos fashion, the report also surfaces critical gaps in media accessibility, real-time coverage, and centralised data systems that currently limit the industry's full revenue potential — particularly for direct-to-consumer growth toward local and international buying power.
Available in a free public edition and an extended paid edition on the Clearly Invincible website.
Clearly Invincible Founder Recognised in Top 100 Women in African Fashion 2026
The Fashion Law Institute Africa released the third edition of its Top 100 Women in African Fashion list to mark International Women's Day. The list recognises women shaping Africa's fashion ecosystem across design, business,
policy, education, media, and manufacturing.
Sessi K, founder / creative lead of Clearly Invincible, was named among this year's honourees — placing Clearly Invincible within a broader ecosystem of African fashion enthusiats building lasting fashion infrastructure.
FELLOW HONOUREES INCLUDE
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu
Founder, SoleRebels
Aisha Ayensu
Christie Brown
Avinash & Kabir Wadhwani
Temple Muse
Wandia Gichuru
Vivo Fashion Group
Precious Moloi-Motsepe
AFI
Adama Ndiaye
Adama Paris
TOP STORIES
JANUARY 2026
Collaboration
Free The Youth Ghana Partnered with Jordan Brand on Exclusive Air Jordan 1 Mid
Ghanaian streetwear label Free The Youth partnered with Nike’s Jordan Brand, delivering an exclusive Air Jordan 1 Mid that merged Ghanaian street culture with Jordan Brand’s global reach. The collaboration marked a milestone in the brand’s international visibility.
Fashion Week
Hub of Africa Fashion Week Reinforced Addis Ababa’s Fashion Ecosystem
Hub of Africa Fashion Week (HAFW) returned to Addis Ababa from January 13–17, drawing designers from East, West, and Southern Africa. Founded in 2010, the platform continued to reinforce Ethiopia’s position as a stable centre for regional fashion.
Collaboration
Core Fashion Kenya Led Roundtable on Sourcing and Infrastructure at HAFW
Core Fashion Kenya, supported by the UN Economic Commission for Africa, convened industry leaders during HAFW to discuss sourcing, collaboration, and infrastructure development across Africa’s $31 billion fashion economy.
Economic
Tommy Hilfiger Expanded to Kenya, Opened at Westgate Shopping Mall, Nairobi
Tommy Hilfiger expanded into East Africa, selecting Nairobi as its regional entry point with a new store at Westgate Shopping Mall, Westlands. The outlet carried menswear, womenswear, and accessories.
Award
TEM Gala & Fashion Awards 2026 Concluded in Accra
The TEM Gala & Fashion Awards 2026 concluded in Accra, with Style House Files named Fashion Organisation of the Year, recognising its sustained leadership across fashion education, research, and industry development in Africa.
Fashion Week
Imane Ayissi Showcased Haute Couture at Paris Fashion Week
At Paris Couture Week, Imane Ayissi presented a live salon show at Hôtel Meurice, dressing models in real time. As the only African designer with a permanent slot on the Paris Couture calendar, key looks included painted silk columns, ivory gowns, liquid silver draping, and signature raffia accents.
Brand
Dye Lab Launched Limited “Made in Benin” Indigo Capsule
Dye Lab presented a special indigo capsule crafted with Couleur Indigo, the Republic of Benin’s master indigo dyers. Previewed in Cotonou at Riverside St Georges, the collection opened for pre-order on January 30.
Fashion Week
Nairobi Fashion Week 2026 Centred Sustainability and Decarbonisation
Nairobi Fashion Week returned from January 28–31 at the Sarit Expo Centre for its eighth season, themed “Decarbonise.” Designers from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the US presented collections focused on ethical production, circular design, and reduced environmental impact.
FEBRUARY 2026
Brand
Eleven Sixteen Crafted Jon Batiste’s Grammy Look with 100,000+ Hand-Placed Stones
Nigerian designer Ugo Mozie’s label Eleven Sixteen dressed Jon Batiste in two custom looks for the 2026 Grammy Awards. Created with Taiwanese couturier Gogo Hsu, each piece featured over 100,000 Swarovski crystals, pearls, Colombian emeralds, and African gemstones inspired by Aaron’s biblical breastplate and ancient mosaic art. Batiste won Best Americana Album on the night.
Award
IAMISIGO and Yoshita 1967 Named 2026 LVMH Prize Semi-Finalists
Two African labels were selected among 20 semi-finalists from over 2,400 applicants across 17 nationalities. IAMISIGO (Bubu Ogisi, Nigeria) operated as a research-led practice merging heritage craft and sculptural design, while Yoshita 1967 (Anil Padia, Kenya) became the first Kenya-based designer to reach this stage of the competition.
Fashion Week
King Charles III Made Surprise Appearance at Tolu Coker’s London Fashion Week Show
King Charles III sat front row at Tolu Coker’s FW26 show at 180 Strand, marking a full-circle moment for the designer, a former King’s Trust beneficiary. The collection, “Survivor’s Remorse,” explored Britishness through the African diaspora lens, with Little Simz performing live. An 18-piece Topshop capsule was also announced.
Brand
Hertunba Showcased at New York Fashion Week
Hertunba presented its collections at the NYFW Collections Showroom from February 11–15 under the theme “From Lagos to New York,” highlighting heritage-driven design, artisanal craftsmanship, and contemporary silhouettes. The showcase operated on a private appointment basis.
Brand
Lisa Folawiyo Marked 20 Years with SS’26 Collection
Available via Industrie Africa, Lisa Folawiyo’s SS’26 collection marked two decades of the Nigerian label’s evolution. The season reinterpreted the brand’s signature hand-embellished Ankara techniques, introducing raffia fringe, hand-painted leather with Ankara motifs, and intricate beadwork, with some pieces requiring up to 240 hours to complete.
Brand —
Dye Lab Launched Global Colour Tour
Dye Lab announced The Colour Tour, a multi-city global programme that opened in Paris during Paris Fashion Week in collaboration with Little Village Paris. The tour spanned 18 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Nairobi, Toronto, Johannesburg, and Lagos, delivering immersive pop-ups, exhibitions, and creative installations.
Fashion Week
Africa Fashion Week London Opened Applications for 16th Edition
Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) opened applications for its 16th edition, scheduled for August 20–23, 2026 in Central London. Over 15 years, AFWL had hosted more than 3,000 designers and 75,000 visitors, connecting African creatives with international buyers and industry stakeholders.
Fashion Week
Rema Walked Diesel AW26 Runway in Milan
Nigerian artist Rema appeared on Diesel’s AW26 runway in Milan under creative director Glenn Martens, wearing heavily distressed denim and a metallic gold shearling vest within a warehouse staging of 50,000 archival artefacts. The appearance reflected the continued integration of Afrobeats culture into European luxury fashion.
Award
Onalaja Shortlisted for BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2026
Kanyinsola Onalaja was shortlisted among six designers for the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2026, which offered £150,000 in funding alongside mentoring and professional services. The winner was scheduled to be announced in May.
MARCH 2026
Brand
Hanifa Paused Production Following Fulfilment Crisis
After nearly 15 years in operation, founder Anifa Mvuemba announced an indefinite production pause, citing creative fatigue. The decision followed fallout from a November flash sale, where manufacturing delays triggered widespread backlash and scrutiny across operations, sizing, and customer relations.
Fashion Week
Maxhosa Africa Presented “Siyi-Kulture” at Paris Fashion Week
Laduma Ngxokolo presented Maxhosa Africa’s FW26 collection “Siyi-Kulture” at Le Philanthro-Lab, marking the brand’s fifth consecutive official Paris Fashion Week season and maintaining its position as the only Africa-based label on the schedule. The collection expanded beyond Xhosa references to include Zulu, Pedi, Tsonga, and Swati cultural elements.
Fashion Week
Tokyo James Debuted “Harmony” at Milan Fashion Week
At Milan Fashion Week, Tokyo James presented “Harmony,” a collection exploring equilibrium through draped silks, layered prints, and sculptural silhouettes. The debut further positioned the brand within the global fashion narrative.
Organisation
Brand63 Africa Showcased Nigerian Designers at St James’s Palace Reception
Ahead of Nigeria’s state visit to the UK, Brand63 Africa presented a curated showcase featuring Abiola Olusola, Orange Culture, and Toyero Studio at a Royal Family reception at St James’s Palace, highlighting the British-Nigerian diaspora.
Award
Omoyemi Akerele Appointed to H&M Foundation Global Change Award Expert Panel
Omoyemi Akerele joined the expert panel for the H&M Foundation Global Change Award 2026, assessing early-stage innovations advancing decarbonisation and circularity in fashion. Over 450 submissions were received from 81 countries.
Personality
Mobolaji Dawodu Styled Jay-Z for April Cover of GQ
Nigerian stylist Mobolaji Dawodu co-styled Jay-Z alongside June Ambrose for GQ’s April 2026 cover, photographed by Rashid Johnson, marking a major editorial moment for African creative representation.
Fashion Week
The Week of Fashion South Africa Launched Dual Seasonal Showcase Model
The Week of Fashion South Africa launched, evolving from SA Menswear Week into a broader platform with two annual editions: AW26 (April 23–25) and SS27 (October 12–17). The model was structured around collections, conversations, commerce, and cultural leadership.
Event
Africa Sourcing & Fashion Week Dakar Concluded
Africa Sourcing & Fashion Week Dakar concluded at the Centre des Expositions de Diamniadio, convening global exhibitors, manufacturers, designers, and policymakers for multi-day dialogue across the textile value chain.
Brand
Pith Africa Hosted First International Pop-Up in Paris
Pith Africa hosted its first international pop-up in Paris from March 12–14 in collaboration with LagosxParis, France in Nigeria, and Talk Studio Paris. The event integrated fashion, art, music, and food, with workshops and masterclasses facilitating cultural exchange. The activation marked the brand’s expansion into international markets.
LOOKING AHEAD - Q2 2026
Several Q1 storylines carry forward into Q2 and are worth tracking:
BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2026
The winner will be announced in May. Kanyinsola Onalaja shortlisted alongside Aaron Esh, Bianca Saunders, Clio Peppiatt,
KNWLS, and Talia Byre. GBP 150,000 in funding plus bespoke mentoring on offer.
LVMH Prize
Semi-finalists presented in Paris in March; finalists and winners to follow. Watch IAMISIGO and Yoshita 1967 — both
produce on the continent and represent Africa's strongest showing at this stage of the competition.
Africa Fashion Week London — 16th Edition
Returns to Central London August 20–23. Applications opened in February. Over 15 years and 3,000+ designers on
record.
Dye Lab Colour Tour
Actively rolling out across 18 cities globally through 2026 — New York, LA, Nairobi, Toronto, Johannesburg, Accra,
Miami, London, Lagos, Dakar, Abuja, and more.
The Week of Fashion South Africa — AW26
The inaugural edition runs April 23–25. A key structural test — no government funding, hybrid model, commercial outcome
focus.
Woven Threads VII: 'CRAFTED'
Lagos Fashion Week x Style House Files, April 9–12 in Lagos.
Hanifa
Indefinite production pause raises ongoing questions about fulfilment, brand longevity, and the pressure on
independent African diaspora labels at scale.
Brand63Africa x Harrods
First retail collection expected to launch later in 2026. A closely watched test of the curated commercial pipeline
model.
SOURCES & CREDITS
Stories curated from the C.I. News Brief database.
All links verified at time of publication.
Clearly Invincible | Q1 2026 | Compiled April 2026
Comments