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WEARABLE STYLE
By Chinazam Ikechi-Uko
Lagos Fashion Week, the pinnacle of African fashion and style, is a dazzling spectacle that sets the stage for the hottest trends and most influential designers on the continent. With each passing year, this event continues draw in fashionistas, industry insiders, and style enthusiasts from across the globe. From breathtaking runway shows, to unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories, Lagos Fashion Week has consistently offered a captivating narrative of fashion, culture, and self-expression.
In previous years, Lagos Fashion Week has led trend cycles such as the use of raffia in high fashion dresses and introducing aso-oke to a global stage. It’s a place where artistry and innovation converge, and where tradition is not only respected but celebrated, breathing life into fabrics and designs that resonate with the heart and soul of Africa.
“IT girl” has been a phrase on everyone’s lips lately. What makes the girl “IT”? Well, she is the trendsetter, the fashion-forward icon, the muse and the moment. The term “IT girl” has become a quintessential part of the fashion and entertainment lexicon. It refers to a woman who embodies the perfect combination of style, influence, and an innate ability to set trends and captivate the collective imagination. She is the target audience for the womenswear designers, she comes in every shape and size because her attitude is what makes her who she is. The Lagos Fashion Week runway was no short of womenswear labels and the runway shows were inclusive in terms of body shapes. So for your 2024 mood board, if you are looking for brands that are about women and for women, look no further than this article. Here is the SS24 collection that every IT girl absolutely needs to have in her wardrobe.
The LFJ brand, short for Love From Julez, is a Nigerian womenswear label founded by Juliet Olanipekun. The LFW collection was titled Under Sea and the designs were heavily influenced by… you guessed right—creatures living under the sea. The dresses mimicked the silhouettes of jellyfish, clamps and stingrays. The colour palette was an array of cool colours and the fabrics used made it a perfect collection for various seasons.
Chioma Ikokwu , Olivia Arukwe and Juliet Olanipekun in LFJ
Kiléntàr, a fashion label founded by British-Nigerian designer Michelle Adepoju, seeks to highlight and honour the timeless grace and strength inherent in African history, particularly celebrating feminine qualities. The word Kiléntàr is a play on the Yoruba phrase “ki le n ta?”, which translates to “what are you selling?”. Kiléntàr’s SS24 collection, titled “Out Of This World,” is an enchanting journey into the world of the aquatic. Inspired by the water goddess “Mami Watta” and the evolving currents of contemporary art, it pays tribute to the enduring influence of water on humans. The collection breathes life into water’s fluidity through ethereal white and blue silhouettes adorned with metallic accents, coral, and sea shells.
By Wuzzy was one of the finalists of Lagos Fashion Week’s Green Access, an initiative to give emerging designers a global platform. As a finalist, By Wuzzy got the opportunity to debut a collection on the LFW runway. It is a sustainable denim label which upcycles and remakes vintage Levi’s into various garments and accessories. The brand was founded by Wuraola Omiyale, and the name is derived from her nickname Wuzzy.
Lul’la House founded by Lu Adesola has been a go-to brand for IT girls for a hot minute. However, the brand has no intention of slowing down and its latest collection proves that. With its title “Threads of Continuity” the SS24 collection was filled with mesmerizing fusion of meticulously handcrafted adornments, tactile textiles, modern shapes, and vibrant fluidity.
Kadiju is a brand which has found favour in the art communities. With its maximalist and exaggerated designs, Kadiju has been honey to a swarm of fashion and art enthusiasts. Kadiju remained true to its ethos, with its collection titled “At One Moment, At The Next”. It featured modern profiles enhanced by striking sleeves and hemlines, as well as textured fabrics. The brand was founded by Oyindamola Aleshinloye.
RENDOLL is a womenswear brand founded by Morenikeji Abina. The brand focuses on embracing femininity and showcasing the beauty in that. Their SS24 collection was filled with their signature designs- the use of cascades and ruffles. With beautiful prints and a tropical palette reminiscent of summer, RENDOLL is definitely ready for your summer adventures as an IT girl in 2024.
Desirée Iyama is an eponymous womenswear label centred around making fun, functional and feminine outfits. Desirée Iyama’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection, known as “Botanical Garden,” draws its inspiration from the intriguing interplay of gentleness and cultivation, symbolizing a life characterized by peace, order, affection, warmth, harmony, nobility, significance, and gratitude. The meticulous cuts, asymmetrical arrangements, petal-like motifs, and exaggerated flares all come together to represent the collection’s central theme. The collection captures the delightful fusion of nature’s hues and the vibrant shades found in flourishing gardens.
Jewel Jemila is the latest womenswear brand on the block, it was founded by Jemila Yesufu. The brand identifies itself as an unapologetically feminine brand and its Lagos Fashion Week debut collection is a testimony to that. The collection was heavily inspired by the “Astromenia” flower, the collection symbolizes sentiments of love, prosperity, fortune, devotion, and mutual support. The line presented its designs which had several crimson tones, striking hemlines, and elaborate necklines, making them the perfect choice for evening wear.
Piillz ‘n Poizn aims to create timeless elegant pieces, whilst making their customers feel confident. The runway presented an enchanting selection of gracefully crafted, soft and free garments designed with the contemporary woman in mind. Piillz ‘n Poizn is an emerging label by Ifeoma Kate Umenyiora with a workshop in Lagos. Piillz ‘n Poizn is building a design reputation with its love of patterns and exaggerated skirts. It does not shy away from maximalism.
Pepper Row has become a Lagos Fashion Week staple in the last 5 years. Founded by Omafume Niemogha, Pepper Row garnered its attention from its signature style of mixing various fabrics and shapes. From raffia to batik dyeing, Pepper Row’s designs take you on a playful journey. Its latest collection is imbued with this signature style. With hand-woven garments hemmed with raffia, Pepper Row is not slowing down any time soon. If you are an artsy IT girl or you would just love to try something new, Pepper Row is for you.
GETO returned to the Lagos Fashion Week runway better than they did last year. Samantha Adebayo’s creative direction of GETO has a history of drawing inspiration from 80s Hip Hop. Over the years, the brand has been seen as a brand championing alternative designs in Africa.. This year’scollection was titled “ILoVEHOME” and it offered a modern reinterpretation of the coastal city. With platform beach slippers and vibrant mini skirts, the collection managed to encapsulate both the lifestyle and ambience of the metropolitan city.
STUDIO IMO, the go-to knitwear brand for other IT girls such as Ayra Starr and Korty made its debut on the runway. The bespoke brand is known for its sexy and revealing pieces. Its debut collection stayed true to this ethos. In an interview with LFW, the co-founder, Edwin Okolo discussed his inspiration behind the collection. He drew inspiration from Ken Liu’s ‘Good Hunting’, a steampunk-inspired tale in ancient China, where two friends hunt shape-shifting fox spirits as societal changes challenge their way of life. This collection explores the dynamic interaction of time’s changing influence, conveyed through transitions in colours, elegant outlines, and compelling patterns.
Elexiay is another brand known for its hand-woven pieces. However, the SS24 marked a significant shift for the brand, an introduction to new fabrics such as denim and cotton. The collection featured its well-known handwoven items and unique hand-crocheted styles, and boldly coloured designs, all crafted to accentuate the feminine body. The brand founded by Elyon Adede was once known for redefining “grandma’s clothing”, and now, Elexiay has stepped into a new stage as it expands and an IT girl’s wardrobe is the perfect destination.
This luxury streetwear brand reintroduced the nostalgic low-waist pants to the runway. The SS24 collection titled “ANTI-MUSE” featured tie and dye pieces, along with partially dyed denim pieces. The pieces in the collection are summer ready and as an IT girl preparing for the summer, Abigail Ajobi is your first stop.
