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The Biggest Trends at Lagos Fashion Week 2022

From knitwear to tassel bags, here are the biggest trends that ruled Lagos Fashion Week 2022.

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As Lagos Fashion Week returned to a normal schedule in 2022, the question amongst retailers, critics, and influencers was: what was going to be the biggest trends?

On the runway, Ejiro Amos Tafiri had a diaphanous collection in silk organza see-throughs, from blouses, tops to skirts and midi dresses. Creative director Samantha Adebayo, of fast-rising Nigerian brand, Gëto, had a male model holding a pinkish-lavender humongous round bag.

Brands like Fruché, Oshobor, Olisa Kenya, Heru Shezi threw some knitted pieces in their collections. While models had breasts peeking from tailored suits and blazers—Nigerian brand FIA did so to recognize breast cancer awareness month—others were engulfed in powerfully voluminous gowns. Pink is back (did it ever leave?) and there were a bunch of beautifully crafted separates on the runway to keep your wardrobe fresh throughout the year.

Whether you are ordering these designers’ pieces right away or waiting for them to hit stores, these are the biggest trends at Lagos Fashion Week to keep in mind.

Get Your Knit On

Newcomer Olisa Kenya sent off a debut collection of exquisite bodycon knit dresses in red and green.

Photo By Daniel Amao for OkayAfrica

Knitwear will always be a wardrobe staple just for its versatility. And even though knits have been around before the start of Lagos Fashion Week, their sight on the runway solidified the reason to have them. The knitted black evening dress from Fruché was a glam statement, as well as the brown off-shoulder knit top worn by a male model. Newcomer Olisa Kenya sent off a debut collection of exquisite bodycon knit dresses in red and green. Same for Heru Shezi, the South African brand that cocooned a model in a giant, floor-sweeping, turtleneck-ribbed dress upcycled with other materials, creating a loose flowy silhouette.

Suit Yourself

Although a menswear brand from Nigeria, creative director of TJWHO, Taju Ibrahim, introduced female models in his LFW runway lineup.

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Although a menswear brand from Nigeria, creative director of TJWHO, Taju Ibrahim, introduced female models in his LFW runway lineup. One came out in a sharp black suiting and the other in a soft, fleecy, light gray pantsuit with a wrap detail. Elsewhere, Rick Dusi continued the tradition of women in suits, displaying models in gold lame pants and skirt suits that shimmered as if on the way to a disco ball.

Tassel Bags, Everywhere at Once

Tassel bags were a prominent part of Heru Shezi's show.

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No accessory was as prominent at this year’s Lagos Fashion Week than tassel bags. They first popped up on the Emmy Kasbit runway, with two tassel bags made from aso-oke. Heru Shezi also had a model holding one. South Africa’s Maxhosa presented one as well in their showcase.

But it was Nigerian womenswear label Abiola Olusola that truly stunned: the tassels on the bag were incredibly long that they swept the floor as models walked. Nigerian label Banke Kuku had models strutting with tassel bags in their offsite show.

Pink, Pink, Pink

A pink strapless ruffled dress from Oriré.

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Pink was one of the dominant color trends at the Lagos Fashion Week runway, and it was in every shade. Like the hot pink loose gowns from Ivorian brand Simone & Elise; halter dress and drop-waist trousers from Kadiju; slit shirting from Jermaine Bleu; layering from South African brand Munkus; matching sets from Senegal’s Algueye Dakar; the strapless ruffled dress from Oriré; and the baby pink tops and skirts from Pepper Row and Ejiro Amos Tafiri.

The color was so omnipresent that it showed up at offsite shows as well: the pleated, clam shell-shaped crop top in fuschia pink from swimwear Nigerian label Andrea Iyamah to bra top at Imad Eduso. If you haven’t already, this is a public service announcement to slot in pink in your wardrobe.

Raffia on the Rocks

Cynthia Abila had a model wearing a multi-hued raffia top over huge green pants.

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Raffia is this season’s wardrobe darkhorse. Cynthia Abila had a model wearing a multi-hued raffia top over huge green pants. Over at the offsite presentation of Nigerian artisanal brand Eki Kere, raffia was dipped in boiling dye bath to produce colors like fuschia pink and green.

Full Head Masks

Oshobor had a red mask fully covering the head of a model.

Photo By Daniel Amao for OkayAfrica

Whether it’s still the specter of COVID-19 or a desire to be less visible in our world of social media overexposure, head masks had such a strong presence at Lagos Fashion Week. Bleeding from this year’s street style, we could see heads covered in breathable polyester masks or some stylized head-wearing gear.

On the runway, Nigerian menswear brand Ugo Monye sent out most models in a gray cotton head masks. Oshobor did the same with their first look, a red mask fully covering the head of a model. Does your wardrobe need a full head mask? The decision is entirely yours.

Cutouts

Jermaine Bleu had a straight gown with a slit, with a knot detail at the neck and side cutouts.

Photo By Daniel Amao for OkayAfrica

Cutouts were dominant at Lagos Fashion Week. This included side cutouts in the adire swimsuit from Cute Saint Lagos and front one in the their navy blue strapless jumpsuit. Side cutouts showed up in Olooh’s shirred, seashell-pink gown straight gown and a simple but gorgeous plunge-necked dress with asymmetrical hem. Jermaine Bleu had a straight gown with a slit, with a knot detail at the neck and side cutouts.

Deconstruction, Baby

Every wardrobe should have at least two deconstructed pieces.

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Every wardrobe should have at least two deconstructed pieces. This is the agenda we are pushing. For proof, see SVL Design’s denim-hemmed skirt stitched to navy blue blazer from behind, looking like a cape. Nigerian label Abiola Olusola made attempts at deconstructed by slicing a sleeveless black jacket sideways. Ghanian label Metakay had a sleeveless gown deformed out a shape, the new silhouette protruding sideways with frumpy excess fabric. Established Nigerian label Gozel Green showed a matching set of a collared crop top and skirt: sleeves pulled apart from the armhole and stopping at the cuff, with the skirt’s tulip-hemmed tail billowing behind.

Convinced now?

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The Best Street Style of Lagos Fashion Week 2022

We spoke with some of the most stylish attendees at Lagos Fashion Week 2022 and asked them about their outfit inspirations and the best part of attending the event.

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Every year, fashion enthusiasts make a pilgrimage to the Lagos Fashion Week tents in Federal Palace Hotel to watch some of the most talented designers showcase their spring/summer collections.

However, the highlight of Lagos Fashion Week isn’t watching the runway showcase. The highlight is watching style enthusiasts push the envelope with their street style outfits. This year, Nigeria's best dressed come out wearing outfits that play with gender expression, colors, textures and more.

Celebrities, influencers, stylists, creatives and more turned up in their fashion week best to give us a colorful show on the roads leading to Lagos Fashion Week, which returned for its 11th year. The street style we saw rivaled even the most colorful shows on the runway. We spoke with some of the most stylish attendees at Lagos Fashion Week 2022 and asked them about their outfit inspirations and the best part of the event.

Denola Grey (@denolagrey)

Denola Grey Lagos Fashion week

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"I wanted to wear Orange Culture this season because they aren’t showing at Lagos Fashion Week this year. And I am all about skin, this is my exhibitionist era. I have never been this free with my body, so it’s go big or go home.

On a regular day in Lagos, I wouldn’t wear an outfit this bold. I feel like it’s just the air of ‘everything goes’ and everyone expressing themselves."

Oscar Eche (@oscareche_)

Oscar Eche wearing black lagos fashion week

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"I love the way Adekunle Gold reinvented his style and Wizkid’s 2-piece neutral color era. I love wearing two pieces and as a fashion model, I wanted to blend my style with Adekunle Gold and Wizkid; black breathable oversized linen pants and long sleeve shirt, accessories, brown shades and a black bag with a poker face. Never forget the poker face.

The best part of [Lagos Fashion Week] is the intertwining of creatives of different stacks. I sat front row with Emmanuel Okoro (the creative director of Emmy Kasbit), Sisiano Paolo (the creative director of Sisiano) and Ekuban Emmanuel (the editor-in-chief of Debonair Afrik) and viewed the designer’s shows from a fashion enthusiast’s angle. We bounced off ideas on how the runway fits could’ve been styled differently and which looks worked on which model."

Fola Francis (@folafrancis)

Fola Francis wearing dress

Photo By Adedamola Odetara for OkayAfrica

"My outfit was Inspired by my love for sustainability. It’s a corseted dress by Weizdhurm Franklyn, the front of the dress was fully threaded to perfection with leftover thread.

The best part of coming to fashion week for me is the street style. I love seeing what other people wear, especially my fashion friends. People go all out with their outfits and they always have the most incredible stories about their outfits when you ask them."

Akin Faminu (@akinfaminu)

Akin Faminu white suit

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"I have always been a fan of the sartorial arts and a well-tailored suit is my first love when it comes to style. So with this outfit, I went for a tailored jacket, with an exaggerated length and with attention to the unique details, especially the buttons and the hand painting on the fabric

I always look forward to seeing people experiment with their style, while being bold about it. I love the diversity and the all round expression of creativity that’s on show every year."

Onyx Godwin [In Yellow Dress] (@onyxgodwin)

two women, yellow dress and red dress

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"The best part of fashion week for me is the style of the attendees. It’s usually one of the very few places people can express their personal style unapologetically, and this year I was wowed, I had expectations that were surpassed. The style, the confidence and the boldness. I loved it!

I also love the Networking aspect of it all, we have stylists, photographers, writers, models, designers, and fashion enthusiasts in a gathering at a particular time for the same purpose. Being around like minds—it’s amazing."

Tijesunimi Olupekan (@tijesu.o)

Guy wearing white suit and green shoes

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"I was inspired by fashion in the streets of high societies like New York and Paris: expressive, colorful, and daring. And I must say I enjoyed channeling that high fashion my way.

From the burst of colors to the eccentric statement looks by attendees, there is always something interesting that meets the eye [with street style.] You get to interact with new people and potential clients, while also getting media attention and features, which in turn helps illuminate your brand."

Dave Hanss (@davehanss)

All white suit for lagos fashion week

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"My personal style inspired my outfits—something classy and at the same time daring, a perfect mix of both to create something unique."

Chisom Peter Job (@chisompeterjob)

pink hair, pink pants and sweater

Photo By Adedamola Odetara for OkayAfrica

"Pink is my favorite color, and I wanted to wear an outfit that matches my hair. I wanted something simple but stunning, and, together with my hair, I knew wearing anything with pink would be enticing. So I went for it.

Fashion week provides an outlet and a way for many people to dress how they’ve always wanted to, to be as flamboyant as possible without the fear of anything."

Ebuka Nwatu (@ebukanwatu_)

All black suit

Photo By Adedamola Odetara for OkayAfrica

"My manager styled me for the show. I told him I wanted to look classic and also young, and he gave me the look."

Opara Boy (@theoparaboy)

Yellow jacket with black pants.

Photo By Adedamola Odetara for OkayAfrica

"I’m wearing my brand O’Boy Lagos. My brand is generally inspired by royalty, Africa, and culture. The print has Igwe, Oba, and royalty in Nigerian culture and languages."

See More of Our Favorite Lagos Fashion Week Street Style Below

Green suit in front of green shoes

Photo By Adedamola Odetara for OkayAfrica

Colorful pants with sweater

Photo By Adedamola Odetara for OkayAfrica

Woman wearing black dress and white shoes

Photo By Adedamola Odetara for OkayAfrica

Person holding purse, wearing dress

Photo By Adedamola Odetara for OkayAfrica

Woman wearing sunglasses

Photo By Adedamola Odetara for OkayAfrica

Man wearing blue denim suit























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