What Happened in African Fashion This Week
- bolaji akinwande
- Oct 18
- 6 min read
The 2025 Lagos Fashion Week Green Access finalists have been confirmed, featuring six designers across apparel and accessories, with their showcase set to take place during the runway shows in Lagos.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, tensions are brewing between the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture and the local fashion industry following an interaction with representatives from Shein (we break it down this week).
Elsewhere, the Guap Gala Awards have announced their nominations, spotlighting African-Diasporan creatives in fashion.
Clearly Invincible brings you the latest in our weekly African fashion recap. Here's everything that happened this week.
Fashion Week.
LAGOS FASHION WEEK ANNOUNCES SIX DESIGNERS FOR ITS 2025 GREEN ACCESS COHORT
Lagos Fashion Week has announced six designers, spanning apparel and accessories,for its 2025 Green Access cohort. Green Access, founded in 2018, is a flagship accelerator platform that supports young designers committed to sustainable design and conscious production.
This year’s designers include:
-Alexandra Obochi (founder and creative director of NDIICHE) — a Nigeria-based brand that blends Igbo tradition with sustainability through the repurposing of textiles. NDIICHE pieces pay homage to individuality and craftsmanship.
-Faridah Amao (founder and creative lead of SI:NAE) — a Lagos-based accessories brand that uses second-hand headwraps, popularly referred to as gele, to create limited-edition bags and accessories.
-Kamsi Odionu (founder and head creative of ADAGE STUDIO PROJECT (ASP)) — a brand that examines fashion through architecture and art. ASP’s pieces are locally made and explore structure, uniformity, and boundaries.
-Lily Igbekele (founder and creative director of UNREFYNED) — a jewelry brand championing African tradition through its bold and sustainable pieces.
-Mbong Takon (founder and creative director of JILK STUDIO) — an artisanal footwear brand with a strong focus on craftsmanship.
-Toluwanimi Dada (founder and creative director of LEFT OF YABA) — a Lagos-based brand that upcycles unwanted materials and transforms them into fashion-art pieces.
All six designers will participate in a one-week residency at NAHOUS, a Lagos-based creative space, where they will engage in conversations centered on sustainability within the African fashion ecosystem, led by expert facilitators. The designers have also been paired to collaborate on a joint capsule collection, which will be presented during the Lagos Fashion Week runway show.
Showcase.
THE 4TH EDITION OF CONFECTIONS X COLLECTIONS TO HOLD THIS NOVEMBER IN CAPE TOWN
Confections x Collections is an annual event that showcases designers from across the African continent. Hosted by Twyg, the event features a fashion showcase fused with afternoon tea. The 4th edition is set to take place from November 6–8 under the theme “Our Homecoming,” inspired by Africa’s textiles, culture, individuality, and sense of community.
Confections x Collections will be held at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town and will feature four designers:
Shelley Mokoena, founder of CONNADE ,a South African brand that creates couture and ready-to-wear womenswear luxury pieces. It is described as a “radical minimalist” label celebrated for its handcrafted, sustainable designs.
Anil Padia, founder of Yoshita 1967, a Paris-Nairobi–based brand that creates intricate pieces rooted in femininity.
Luke Radloff, founder of UNI FORM, a South African brand that blends modern design with indigenous techniques such as handwoven cotton and knitted mohair, honoring artisanal traditions.
Laduma Ngxokolo, founder of Maxhosa Africa, a South African brand known for its vibrant knitwear pieces which are inspired by Xhosa culture.
Event.
LHAUDE AFRICA HOSTS OPEN HOUSE IN NAIROBI, KENYA
Lhaude Africa is a Pan-African platform that empowers and showcases the work of creative entrepreneurs. Its Open House event brings together fashion creatives, designers, and industry practitioners to connect, share ideas, and engage in dialogues that explore opportunities aimed at advancing the growth and visibility of the African fashion industry.
Following the success of previous Open House events in cities like Lagos and Cape Town, Lhaude Africa hosted an Open House in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday, October 16, bringing together some of the city’s boldest minds who are redefining fashion from the heart of the continent.
Award.
TWYG SUSTAINABLE FASHION AWARDS ANNOUNCE NEW JURY
The Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards recognize fashion creatives who are fostering ethical practices in South Africa. Following the announcement of this year’s nominations, the platform has unveiled a new jury for the next three editions of the awards,2025, 2026, and 2027.
The newly appointed jury brings together a diverse mix of local and international leaders across media, fashion, sustainability, design, business, and climate advocacy. Members include Martina Glomb, a German professor and former designer for Vivienne Westwood’s Anglomania and Red Label lines; Bee Diamondhead, a South Africa–based creative director, stylist, and fashion editor; Idelle Taye, an American-Cameroonian and founder of Guzangs, a media platform that celebrates and empowers African fashion through storytelling; Stella Hertantyo, a South Africa–based creative and writer; Silvia Tonui, a Kenya–based business strategist and creative economy practitioner; and Bielle Bellingham, a South Africa–based business and brand director and former editor of ELLE Decoration.
This diverse jury reflects Twyg’s mission to champion ethical fashion and its commitment to positioning African fashion at the forefront of global recognition.
Politics.
SOUTH AFRICAN MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE FACES BACKLASH FOR MEETING WITH CHINESE REPRESENTATIVES IN SINGAPORE
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, is facing backlash following his meeting with representatives of SHEIN in Singapore. Earlier this month, Minister McKenzie met with the company’s delegation to discuss potential collaborations aimed at empowering young South African designers and athletes.
However, the meeting has sparked outrage among the public, members of the local fashion industry, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) due to SHEIN’s controversial impact on South Africa’s manufacturing and retail sectors. According to reports, SHEIN and Temu, two of China’s largest fast-fashion retailers,have been linked to the loss of over 8,100 jobs in South Africa’s manufacturing and retail industries.
The proposed collaboration has been criticized by prominent South African designers such as David Tlale, as well as the EFF, which has called for an investigation into the meeting. Critics have questioned the authenticity of SHEIN’s intentions, citing misalignment with national policies and concerns about Minister McKenzie’s authority to engage in such discussions.
According to the EFF, the meeting does not fall within Minister McKenzie’s jurisdiction as the head of Sport, Arts and Culture. They argue that any engagement with SHEIN should have been initiated through the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) instead.
Furthermore, the meeting contradicts the government’s recent policy direction, which seeks to strengthen South Africa’s local manufacturing industry through measures such as increased customs duties and the removal of VAT exemptions to discourage imports from fast-fashion companies like SHEIN. It also stands at odds with the Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather Masterplan 2030, which focuses on boosting local production and employment opportunities within the sector.
Opportunity.
THE STYLE LOUNGE WEARHOUSE TO RUN FROM NOVEMBER TO JANUARY 2026, ANNOUNCES CALL FOR DESIGNERS
The Style Lounge Platform is a fashion showcase curated by Debonair Afrik, one of Africa’s leading fashion publications. Following the 2025 Style Lounge Weekend held in July — which featured showrooms, pop-ups, masterclasses, and panel discussions — the platform has announced the launch of the Style Lounge Wearhouse, described as a durational concept store.
The Wearhouse will operate as part showroom, part pop-up, and part community hub. It will also feature a rotating program of designer capsules and serve as an archival outlet. The event will run from November to January 2026, and applications are now open to African designers working across clothing, beauty, and accessories.
Award.
GUAP GALA 2025 NOMINATIONS SPOTLIGHT AFRICAN-DIASPORIAN FASHION CREATIVES
The Guap Gala is an experimental awards show and celebration that honors creative excellence across photography, music, fashion, beauty, art, and more. The 2025 nominations have been announced, featuring standout African-Diasporan talents in fashion such as Bibi Abdulkadir (Somali-British fashion model), Tanatswa (South African model), the Flag Twins—Karlon and Kevin Bonsu (British-Ghanaian models), Dagye (Ghanaian-German designer and creative director of ADWOA, a London-based streetwear brand), Foday Dumbuya (Sierra Leonean-British designer and creative director of Labrum London), and Tolu Coker (Nigerian-British designer and founder of her eponymous label).
Winners will be determined through voting at the awards ceremony, scheduled to take place in November.
Event.
VISIONARIES FASHIONING AFRICA TO HOST “NAVIGATING GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES AND UNCONVENTIONAL PATHS” EVENT IN LAGOS THIS OCTOBER
Visionaries Fashioning Africa, a platform that unites African creatives redefining narratives around luxury, will host an event in Lagos on October 28 at Alára, the renowned concept store. Themed “Navigating Global Opportunities & Unconventional Paths,” the event, which is co-hosted by Debonairs Afrik, will bring together leading voices from the continent for an evening of conversation, connection, and celebration, focusing on international brand-building, storytelling, and the evolving identity of African luxury.
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