How Lagos Fashion Week began

In 2011, Lagos Fashion Week debuted, putting Nigerian style on the map.

Omoyemi Akerele founded the event which helped to launch the careers of designers internationally.

It has grown into a major fashion event and won the 2025 Earthshot Prize for sustainability.

In 2023, Omoyemi Akerele spoke to Reena Stanton-Sharma about the first show.

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(Photo: Founder of the Lagos Fashion and Design Week Omoyemi Akerele. Credit: Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP)