There’s a particular kind of electricity that sweeps through Lagos once fashion season hits. Tailors work overtime, stylists turn into therapists, and everyone suddenly wants to know the same things: who’s showing, what’s dropping, and who’s about to set the tone. For us, we are always on the lookout for interesting offerings, and this year we have our eyes on these five brands, which stand out for all the right reasons — bold, intelligent, rooted in culture, and ready for the world.
Emmy Kasbit
Emmanuel Okoro’s Emmy Kasbit shows always feel like a cinematic chapter — handwoven Akwete fabric, structured pieces, and tailored lines that speak the language of heritage with a modern accent. His Lagos Fashion Week opening this year was nothing short of a fashion storm, a packed house, and a collection that read like a love letter to craft.
What makes Kasbit one to watch isn’t just his past triumphs but his clarity. Akwete is reimagined, colour is considered, and silhouettes carry weight without excess. It’s thoughtful, consistent luxury — proof that substance still wins.
Ituen Basi
Few names inspire the kind of nostalgia Ituen Basi does. Long before Ankara became the darling of mainstream fashion, she was cutting, pleating, and storytelling with wit and precision. Her 2008 homecoming collection is still credited with ushering in a new era for the print — reintroducing it as something fresh, fashionable, and deeply Nigerian.
Now, the rumour mill is buzzing again — whispers that she might make a return to the GTCO runway. Whether she does or not, her legacy remains unmatched. She’s the rare designer who can make nostalgia feel brand new — where every pattern tells a story and every silhouette nods to a history we still want to wear.
Banke Kuku
If colour and print had a goddess, her name would be Banke Kuku. Her fabrics move like silk water — sensual, sophisticated, and unapologetically expressive. The designer has built a whole world around her prints: luxurious interiors, dreamy resort wear, and ready-to-wear pieces that transition effortlessly from holiday to city life.
Her teasers this season hint at a new drop titled Savannah — a continuation of her print-as-story philosophy. Think body-skimming dresses, swimwear styled as daywear, and that signature harmony between elegance and ease.
NKWO
Sustainability isn’t a buzzword for NKWO; it’s her blueprint. Her label’s philosophy of less has become a movement — small runs, upcycling, and the ingenious use of waste to create Dakala cloth, a fabric made from discarded denim and strip-weaving techniques rooted in Nigerian craft traditions.
Every piece tells a story of transformation, of waste turned to want, of artisanship elevated to luxury. This season, NKWO’s relevance feels even sharper as global fashion continues to confront its excesses. Her work lands squarely at the intersection of ethics and aesthetics — raw-edged, refined, and entirely irresistible.
Wanni Fuga
Over the past decade, Wanni Fuga has quietly built an empire of effortless sophistication. Founded by Toluwani Wabara, the brand has become the go-to for women who want to look like they put effort into their look. Kaftans that glide, dresses that command attention, and separates that move seamlessly from brunch to boardroom.
Over the years, Wanni Fuga has evolved from a local favourite to an international name. What makes her stand out this season is her mastery of versatility. Her designs are made for real women. The ones juggling careers, travel, and social calendars but still want to look camera-ready. Expect richer fabrics, sculpted swimwear, and silhouettes that whisper quiet confidence.
