What Happened in African Fashion This Week
- bolaji akinwande
- Oct 25
- 4 min read
All roads lead to Lagos Fashion Week next week, with over sixty African designers set to showcase their Spring–Summer 2026 collections. Elsewhere, in January 2026, the three winners of the Berlin Contemporary Concept Competition, Orange Culture, Kenneth Ize, and Buzighaili, will present their new collections during the Autumn/Winter 2026 show in Berlin.
Meanwhile, the third edition of Eco Fashion Week Africa will take place across two African cities, Kampala and Nairobi in November.
Clearly Invincible brings you the latest in our weekly African fashion recap. Here's everything that happened this week.
Event.
UNIQUE FASHION SHOW TO HOLD IN JANUARY 2026, PARTNERS WITH AFRICAN FASHION FOUNDATION
The Unique Fashion Show is a cultural platform that blends fashion and art, the physical and digital, commerce and culture. The event also serves as a springboard for international designers to gain access to the U.S. market through visibility and business connections, all aimed at positioning designers on the global stage.
Ahead of its showcase in January 2026, the platform has partnered with the African Fashion Foundation (AFF). AFF is known for empowering fashion designers through professional and educational development opportunities, enabling African and diaspora designers to succeed in the global fashion industry.
The collaboration between the Unique Fashion Show and the African Fashion Foundation will highlight the brilliance, creativity, and innovation of African designers on the global stage.
Fashion Week.
OVER SIXTY AFRICAN DESIGNERS TO SHOWCASE AT LAGOS FASHION WEEK
Lagos Fashion Week has unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 schedule. Over the course of five days, from October 29 to November 2, more than sixty African designers will showcase their collections during the runway shows, with some scheduled for private and off-site presentations.
The five-day, action-packed roster also features fashion exhibitions, the Fashion Business Series, and after-parties. Confirmed designers include Onalaja, Emmy Kasbit, Pepperrow, Hertunba, Oríré, Kadiju, Orange Culture, Lisa Folawiyo, Fruché, Iamisigo, Kílèntár, Wannifuga, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Imad Eduso, Nkwo, Dimeji Ilori, Oshobor, Nya, Imprint South Africa, Bloke, Boyedoe, Studio Imo, Awa Meité, Adama Paris, Ajanee, E.S.O by Liman, JZO, Desiree Iyama, Cynthia Abila, Elexiay, Malite, Ibilola Ogundipe, Sevon Dejana, Rendoll, Olooh, Cute-Saint, and Pettre Taylor, among many others.
Collaboration.
SOUTH AFRICAN EYEWEAR BRAND BALLO COLLABORATES ON A NEW COLLECTION WITH DESIGNER SINDISO KHUMALO
Ballo is a sustainable South African eyewear brand. Founded in 2013, the brand is known for its handcrafted frames made from plant-based and biodegradable materials. On October 25, Ballo will release a limited-edition collection of eyewear pieces in collaboration with designer Sindiso Khumalo. The 100 pieces are all made from plants, a sustainable practice that reflects the brand’s ethos.
The collaboration marks another creative venture between two South African powerhouses.
Fashion Week.
ECO FASHION WEEK AFRICA TO HOLD THIS NOVEMBER IN KAMPALA AND NAIROBI
Eco Fashion Week Africa is a week-long fashion event dedicated to promoting and educating people on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event features environmental clean-ups, eco-educational workshops, forums, fashion shows, and a clothing swap initiative.
The third edition of the event, themed “No New Clothes Runway,” will take place from November 1 to 8 across Nairobi and Kampala, where two runway shows will be hosted respectively, alongside panel discussions, workshops, community clean-ups, and industry collaborations aimed at advancing circular fashion and creative livelihoods across Africa.
Award.
ORANGE CULTURE, KENNETH IZE, AND BUZIGAHILL WIN BERLIN CONCEPT COMPETITION
Three African designers have been announced as winners of the Berlin Contemporary Concept Competition, an initiative of Berlin Fashion Week, for the upcoming Autumn/Winter 2026 edition.
The winners are Orange Culture, founded by Adebayo Oke-Lawal, a Nigerian brand known for its androgynous and unorthodox style; Kenneth Ize, a Nigerian eponymous label recognized for its use of traditional West African fabrics and craftsmanship; and Buzigahill, founded by Bobby Kolade, a Kampala-based brand that redesigns second-hand clothes from Europe (mostly the U.S. and Asia) and redistributes them to their origins in the Global North.
The competition is funded by the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, Project Future, and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Collection.
NIGERIAN BRAND MEJI MEJI UNVEILS “BIG QUEEN ON SMALL STREET” COLLECTION ALONGSIDE SHORT FILM
Meji Meji is a Nigerian brand that weaves and celebrates Nigerian heritage through the lens of Black identity. The brand’s pieces are Y2K-inspired and youthful. Its newest collection, titled “Big Queen on Small Street,” blends South Africa’s street culture and sense of community through fashion and film.
The body of work explores South Africa’s creative nostalgia, referencing the country’s Skhothane subculture, street comedians, and 2000s style. The new collection and accompanying short film position Meji Meji as a cross-country innovator deeply connected to Africa’s creative landscape.
Partnership.
LAGOS FASHION WEEK PARTNERS WITH AFRICAN FINANCE CORPORATION AND MORE
The African Finance Corporation (AFC), one of Africa’s foremost infrastructure solutions providers, has announced a partnership with Lagos Fashion Week for its 15th edition. The collaboration reinforces AFC’s commitment to empowering the continent’s youth and creative industries as a driver of inclusive growth.
As Lagos Fashion Week marks its 15th anniversary, the event continues to spotlight circular fashion, responsible sourcing, and regional value chains—areas where AFC’s infrastructure investments are helping bridge Africa’s creative and industrial potential.
Earlier this year, AFC partnered with +234Art Fair and Econank, further strengthening its influence among Africa’s young innovators who are redefining the continent’s global narrative.
Collection.
DESIRÉE IYAMA ANNOUNCES “EVERYTHING, IN TIME” COLLECTION
Desirée Iyama is a slow womenswear brand known for its classic, feminine, lively, and functional designs. Founded in 2020, the brand continues to shape the future of sustainable womenswear. Ahead of Lagos Fashion Week, Iyama has announced its Spring/Summer 2026 collection titled “Everything, in Time.”
The collection draws inspiration from the cycles of life and the beauty of transformation, borrowing the symbolism of bees and honey and featuring colors that follow the sun from dawn to dusk. The showcase will debut on November 1 during Lagos Fashion Week.
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