Lagos Fashion Week ( talk about rightfully owning the scene) came back with a second A/W presentation and it wasn’t at all shabby. The first ever Autumn/Winter presentation held last year (2017) at the red door gallery, it was different (good different) sealing LFW as the premier destination for fashion weeks in Nigeria err… Africa.
Lagos Fashion Week, proving it’s here to stay, held her second edition held in March 23rd through 25th at the Wings in Ozumba (no other venue would have been perfect!) and it came with a bonus; order sheets! For the first time, designers got an actual first-hand connection to possible buyers with the immediate order forms (forms with pens were handed out so you could order/get prices right there and then).
This was exciting for me because I’ve always thought about designers actually getting orders/selling pieces after presenting on the runway especially if the collection was the bomb.
For Lagos Fashion Week A/W 2018, Gozel Green (still remember my excitement after realizing I wore their piece when the show started) opened the show and didn’t disappoint with their interesting colour palette, artsy finishing and that edge the duo bring to every piece. Chic met modern met classic with dimpled ruched details and an interesting graphic detailed hoodie crop top. The curved hem slit laced skirt was a winning look.
Mo Agusto brought a signature I easily predicted; Aso Oke as modern add-ons and sheer blouses with trumpet hem sleeves easily made the otherwise simple look into must-haves.
Iamisigo was extra and it was soooo good. When the chairs were placed, I thought it was going to be ‘a dancing around the chair situation’ but (thankfully it wasn’t but then trust Bubu Ogisi with showmanship). The models wore disheveled hair with bold white mark on their faces, sauntering in dense fitting pieces, a signature of Iamisigo.
Bardot details were surprisingly a thing in the collection with a solid interesting contrast of minty lemon and powder blue on a co-ord.The brocade kaftans with tie inserts were hits and the boxy fits of the top were interesting. She closed day 1 just perfect.
Day 2 had Sisiano doing his fluid and minimalist clean looks that he’s perfected over time.
Re came with a play on Aso oke (the most exciting addition on the runway for me since 2017 LFW), the bow cut out trapezium short shirt dress with unfinished fringed detail was one of my favourites. Her play with colour, fit and details was refreshing.
Kenneth Ize an all-time favourite can almost do no wrong with every presentation. The tie-dye tunic, aso oke, and sets in the midst of the fierce palette the collection featured will be bestsellers.
Style Temple stays a top favourite, her architectural tendencies make her pieces unpredictable and fiercely sexy. The opening number was a corsetry top with lush orange lace strap trims paired with a delicately structured white skirt, a trail of sultry silky numbers in bold hues followed revving up the collection flirty.
Orange Culture gave a show, from the suspended umbrellas in the ceiling to the signature that makes the unconventional brand, OC was a delight to see for the night. The mustard jacket with a single maxi button was unmissable, the knitwear, print sets. The winning edge was the silk scarves that came with the bold presentation, I loved it!
Day 3 saw Maxivive opening with self-expression and cross-dressing; think bearded men and men in makeup. It was a dramatic presentation. Sunny Rose came lush luxe with the all season favourite Asooke making a way into the collection.
Emmy Kasbit– who walked away with the Fashion Focus Fund of N5 million- raised the ante on flawless finishing, fit and cohesive hues and texture to put it mildly. Onalaja presented an all-black collection featuring sultry and fierce pieces infusing aso oke glam and ‘glitzy’, sheer overlays and tulle which ended the night surreal glam.
Omoyemi Akerele seals something again this season, the future of fashion is now, Nigerian, African and definitely a retail destination. I have a sneaky feeling Spring/Summer in October will be fire.