The highly anticipated GTCO Fashion Weekend 2025 made a dazzling return to Lagos today, ushering in two days of spectacular runway showcases, business insights, and cultural celebration that spotlight Africa’s evolving fashion identity.
Now in its 8th edition, the annual fashion showcase transformed Plot 1, Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Victoria Island, into a vibrant playground of creativity and commerce, drawing designers, fashion entrepreneurs, enthusiasts, and industry leaders from across Africa and beyond.
This year’s theme, “Fashion Is Freedom,” celebrates the power of fashion as a tool for self-expression, cultural storytelling, and economic empowerment, reinforcing Africa’s role as a dynamic force in the global creative economy.
Day One of the event featured an impressive lineup of international fashion voices who led transformative masterclasses designed to inspire, educate, and empower participants.
Bianca Saunders, the award-winning British menswear designer celebrated for her minimalist tailoring and deep cultural narratives, opened the sessions with a stirring talk on authenticity and the importance of staying true to one’s creative roots in a globalized industry.
Jade Oyateru, Co-founder and COO of Uncover, shared strategies for scaling African retail businesses through innovation, customer experience, and sustainability. She emphasized that brands built on purpose and representation are key to unlocking Africa’s full fashion potential.
A former executive at Unilever, Nestlé, and Jumia, Oyateru has steered Uncover into one of Africa’s fastest-growing beauty brands, merging Korean skincare science with African botanicals to celebrate melanin-rich skin. Under her leadership, the company now operates across eight countries and has earned global recognition from Bloomberg and Vogue Business.
Closing the day’s sessions, Melissa Butler, Founder and CEO of The Lip Bar, delivered an electrifying talk titled “Building a Business from Zero to a Multi-Million Dollar Empire.” Butler’s inspiring journey from making lipsticks in her kitchen to leading one of the most successful Black-owned beauty brands in the U.S. resonated deeply with attendees. Her message on resilience, inclusivity, and self-worth reminded participants that “everyone is enough.”
The runway shows burst to life with an explosion of creativity, color, and craftsmanship from some of Africa’s most celebrated and emerging designers, including Ituen Basi, The Bam Collective, Sevon Dejana, Mmuso Maxwell, Mowalola, and Priya Ahluwalia.
Each designer presented collections that married tradition with innovation from reimagined African silhouettes to eco-conscious fabrics and futuristic tailoring. The audience was captivated by the artistry on display, applauding each show with enthusiasm that echoed the event’s spirit of freedom and bold expression.
Beyond the runway, the GTCO Fashion Weekend Marketplace buzzed with energy as attendees explored curated collections of apparel, accessories, and ready-to-wear designs from both emerging and established fashion entrepreneurs.
The open marketplace, a hallmark of the event embodies GTCO’s commitment to empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and fostering growth within Nigeria’s creative economy. Shoppers engaged directly with designers and creators, turning fashion appreciation into tangible support for local talent.
The excitement continues on Day Two, with another thrilling lineup of runway shows, masterclasses, and retail exhibitions. Attendance remains free, and guests can register or view the full schedule via fashionweekend.gtcoplc.com.
For live updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and exclusive interviews, follow @gtbank and @gtcofashionweekend on all major social media platforms.
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) is a leading financial institution dedicated to fostering innovation, enterprise, and community development across Africa. Through creative platforms such as the GTCO Fashion Weekend and GTCO Food and Drink Festival, the Group continues to champion entrepreneurship and promote Africa’s vibrant cultural industries.
Operating in 11 countries across West, East, and Central Africa, as well as the United Kingdom, GTCO serves millions of customers through its trusted banking, investment, and financial service brands.