Every Red Carpet Moment You Need to Know from the 2025 ARISE Gala
If the 2025 ARISE Gala and Awards Ceremony was a tribute to 80 formidable women who are reshaping the world, then the red carpet was its glittering love letter to fashion—a runway of ambition, legacy, and unapologetic glamour. Set against the grand backdrop of the Eko Convention Center in Lagos, the night wasn’t just about powerful speeches and lifetime achievements; it was a visual masterclass on how to dress like you run the world.
This year’s gala blurred the lines between ceremony and spectacle. Nigeria’s most stylish women—and the men who know how to hold their own—arrived ready for a fashion showdown, and let’s just say: no one came to play. What we witnessed was less of a red carpet and more of a power parade. Think sparkle, structure, and swagger—every look a personal manifesto. Let’s take you through all the unforgettable moments, the glitter, the bold statements, and the subtle nods to culture that made this year’s ARISE Gala red carpet one for the books.
Sequin Nation: Sparkle Like You Mean It
The night shimmered with conviction, and sequins were merely the beginning. Guests came dressed in full-throttle dazzle mode—from mirror-like metallics that caught the camera flash just right, to liquid satins that moved like magic with every step. Add in a few high-gloss silks, and it became clear: Shine wasn’t just a trend; it was the mood.
It wasn’t about blending in—it was about owning the spotlight. Sparkle became the unofficial dress code, and no one resisted. The red carpet became a constellation of stars in human form, and we were all here for it.
The Return of Structured Drama
If there’s one thing fashion does best, it’s drama—and the ARISE Gala embraced it with open arms and sharp tailoring. Structured gowns took centre stage, offering architectural brilliance that defied gravity and commanded attention. These weren’t just dresses; they were sculptures, engineered to wow.
Bold silhouettes and exaggerated cuts created high-impact looks that didn’t whisper elegance—they shouted it from across the ballroom. Guests who opted for these looks didn’t just walk the red carpet; they took ownership of it.
Sheer Power: Transparent but Make It Bossy
There’s sheer, and then there’s the ARISE Gala version of sheer—confident, creative, and commanding. This wasn’t about soft nude illusions or barely-there fabrics. Instead, guests played with transparency layered in bold prints, abstract designs, and tribal motifs, giving sheer a whole new attitude.
These looks were all about balance: seductive but not overt, feminine without the frills, daring yet dignified. The result? An assertive, fresh take on the classic sheer moment. Fashion diplomacy at its finest.
All Hail the Headgear
No Nigerian red carpet is complete without headgear, and this year’s interpretations elevated tradition into wearable art. Oversized, sculptural, and unapologetically bold, the headpieces at the ARISE Gala weren’t just accessories—they were headline acts.
Think bejewelled turbans, silk-wrapped crowns, oversized bows, and floral-inspired fascinators. Each one made a statement of its own, fusing cultural heritage with high fashion drama. It was regal, theatrical, and utterly unforgettable.
Colour Therapy: Bold and Beautiful
This was not the night for playing it safe. Neutrals quietly stepped aside as a kaleidoscope of bold colours took over. Royal purples, metallic greens, oxblood reds—each hue chosen and worn with full confidence. It was a celebration of vibrance, a riot of colour that mirrored the spirit of the women being honoured.
Even those who wore black didn’t keep things simple. Whether it was with dramatic necklines, feather flourishes, or metallic undertones that danced under the lights, black had its own shimmering moment. At the ARISE Gala, every shade had a story to tell.
Menswear Moment: Not Your Average Suit
The women brought the fireworks, but the men? They showed up and suited up. Classic black tuxedos made a triumphant return, tailored to perfection and worn with confidence that said, “Yes, I’m that guy.” The lesson? You can never go wrong with a well-cut black suit.
But the real twist of the night came courtesy of Ruth Osime, who rewrote the rules entirely in a bold red suit that instantly became iconic. Fierce, feminine, and flawlessly styled, it was a standout look that proved once again that power dressing is not gendered—it’s a mindset.
Exaggerated Silhouettes
If there was ever a moment to leave subtlety behind, this was it. The red carpet was a theatre of volume—dramatic sleeves, flowing gowns, and silhouettes that could only be described as fashion architecture.
Then there were the sweeping boubous—generous, ethereal, and effortlessly elegant. Embroidered, sheer, or layered with drama, they floated down the red carpet like wearable poetry.
Traditional Meets Modern
At the ARISE Gala, some women embraced traditional attires in their most classic forms—rich fabrics, bold patterns, and timeless silhouettes. Even some of the men followed suit, donning regal agbadas and intricately embroidered kaftans. It was more than a nod to heritage; it was a reminder that in Nigerian fashion, classic doesn’t mean outdated—it means powerful, elegant, and enduring.
All Black Everything—But Make It Interesting
Black is often seen as the ‘safe’ option. But not at ARISE. This time, black was anything but basic. With imaginative cuts, sharp tailoring, layered textures, and rich fabric choices, these all-black ensembles were a study in elegance and edge.
Think sheer overlays, dramatic slits, lace, leather, and velvet—all used to elevate and deepen the classic colour. Guests proved that when done right, black can be every bit as daring as a highlighter-pink gown.
Shoulder Show-Offs
Call it clavicle couture or the art of the subtle reveal, but bare shoulders had a major fashion moment at the gala. And we’re not talking about summer wedding vibes—we’re talking about commanding red-carpet energy.
Off-shoulder gowns, strapless corsets, asymmetric necklines, and one-sleeve wonders offered that perfect blend of elegance and allure. Among the standout moments? Femi Akinsanya, glowed in a breathtaking white satin gown that swept across her chest and left both shoulders bare. It was refined, radiant, and proof that sometimes, simplicity steals the spotlight.
