It’s fashion season in Lagos State as the festive period approaches, so we cannot blame tailors for working overtime and stylists for suddenly becoming therapists. It’s the time of the year when fashion enthusiasts want to know who is showing, what is dropping and who is about to switch up the trend.
Let’s show you the Nigerian fashion designers who have stood out all year long and will continue to stand out among their peers:
1. Emmy Kasbit:
Emmanuel Okoro has taken the Nigerian fashion scene by storm with his exemplary shows that display amazing handwoven Akwete fabric, structured pieces, and tailored lines that combine heritage with what is in vogue perfectly.
His Lagos Fashion Week opening this year was outstanding to say the least, and what makes him unique is how clear his ideas are. Emmy’s thoughtful and wild imagination proves that he has a lot to offer as a fashion designer.
2. Ituen Basi:
Before Ankara became the fashion norm it is today, Ituen was already cutting and storytelling with great skill and precision. Her 2008 homecoming collection is still seen as the main trigger for the new print era — rebirthing it as something new, trendy and extremely Nigerian.
Rumour has it that Ituen could be set to make a return to the GTCO runway, but whether that becomes a reality or not, her fashion legacy remains unmatched.
She is a unique designer who has the ability to tell beautiful stories with her brilliant tailoring skills.
3. Banke Kuku:
If anyone is to be named the queen of colour and print, it has to be Banke. Her fabrics are elegant, classy and uniquely expressive.
Known to have poured in several years and dedication into her prints, it is why her luxurious interiors, dreamy resort wear, and ready-to-wear pieces always stand out in the crowd. Banke’s teasers this season are hinting at a new drop titled “Savannah” — a continuation of her print-as-story philosophy.
Nigerians can expect body-skimming dresses, swimwear styled as daywear, and that perfect blend between elegance and casual.
4. NKWO:
NKWO does not just believe in sustainability; she embodies it. Using waste to create Dakala cloth, a fabric made from discarded denim and strip-weaving techniques rooted in Nigerian craft traditions, is not a skill many can boast of.
Every piece she works on tells a story of transformation, of the basic elevated to luxury, and of waste turned into necessity.
NKWO will most likely be around for a while as global fashion keeps confronting its excesses. Her raw-edged, refined, and extremely stunning outfits will keep her relevant for a long time.
5. Wanni Fuga:
After 10 years in the industry, Toluwani Wabara has finally built a brand many regard as a fashion force to be reckoned with. Her brand is currently the go-to for women who wish to appear like they put so much effort into their look.
With Kaftans that are the talk of the town, dresses that steal the show at any event, and separates that will stand out anywhere, Wanni Fuga has evolved from a local favourite to an international brand.
What makes Toluwani unique is how well she has mastered versatility. Her designs appeal to sophisticated women, the kind that juggle their work, travel and social life without trying to jeopardise the quality of their appearance.
