With only a few days to go before Lagos Fashion Week, fashion personality Olivia Arukwe shares her dos and don’ts for attending the daily shows.
Black wavy hair, small sunshades, and a penchant for solids or patterns, Olivia Arukwe has carved a distinct path for herself in the fashion world. Known for her minimalist approach to style, she brings that same effortless polish to attending Lagos Fashion Week, with a well-curated Instagram page that evokes a sense of calmness. In pieces from Banke Kuku, Emmy Kasbit, Hertunba, and Kai Collective, Arukwe surely knows her ABCs of the Nigerian fashion industry. The journey wasn’t easy, and she’s making sure yours is easier.
2025 has been a year of gratitude and excitement for Olivia Arukwe. She has spent a better part of the year travelling the world, and in September, she tied the knot in an extravagant wedding in Cape Town, South Africa. But as a fashion enthusiast, she couldn’t stay away from one of the largest fashion gatherings in Africa.
In between her appearance schedules for her Lagos Fashion Week and GTCO’s Fashion Weekend, we caught up with her to discuss what really goes on behind the curtains and how she navigates the season.
Read more: Marie Claire Nigeria Trend report: Lagos Fashion Week 2024
Tip 1: Remember, Lagos is hot
“When people envision Fashion Week, they only see the glamour, there’s a lot of stress,” Arukwe says. Fresh off a trip from South Africa, she adds with a laugh, “The invites have been flowing.”
Despite being almost a decade ago, she recalls every aspect of her first Lagos Fashion Week in 2017… it was beautiful chaos! “Everyone was there, and I felt like a part of a community. Lagos was home to many fashionable individuals. But I completely forgot how hot Lagos gets, and when you’re in full glam, frontal, and layered clothing, it only gets worse.”
“The hair is the most important,” she reaffirms. “You don’t want to be sweating on your scalp!” Light makeup, nails low, and breathable hair or braids, no weave!
Tip 2: Be honest with yourself
Can you do ten shows a day? Are you doing strictly on-site shows? Truly, only you know your body clock, and as for Olivia, she insists on choosing your shows ahead of time. “It is a long week, and you really don’t want to burn out or feel overwhelmed. There are activities for everyone, but don’t take more than you can handle.”
Tip 3: This isn’t a ‘Nigerian time’ affair
Olivia knows, you know, I know, and everyone knows that sometimes Nigerians do not keep to time. But when it comes to attending Lagos Fashion Week, it doesn’t pay to be fashionably late. “Coming early determines if you will get a good seating placement.” Unless you’re an honoured guest of a designer, you will be left standing if you arrive after the shows start. Another bonus to being early is the opportunity to take as many photos as you can; everyone in fashion will be there, so use your shot wisely.
Read also: Attending a fashion show? Here’s the must-know etiquette for making a lasting impression
Tip 4: Don’t skip your meal
Always eat before, or at least, that’s what she does. “It is very fast paced, blink and you will miss something. Do you really want to miss moments because you were looking for the nearest food stop? No, and there isn’t one, by the way. So handle things like drinks, snacks, and food before you get on the ground,” she explains.
Tip 5: Be friendly
Fashion Week brings together the most diverse personalities and nationalities, united by their shared interest in the art of fashion. Olivia insists that we should always remember that at the end of the day, everyone attending Lagos Fashion Week is just there to have fun and do their job. “Be nice and friendly. Make conversations and connections, don’t be the stereotypical Lagos babe.”
Tip 6: This is Fashion Week — the fashion has to show up
Let’s call a spade a spade; this isn’t called Fashion Week for no reason. The single aim is to explore the present and possible future of the fashion trajectory in Nigeria and Africa. The fashion is what we want to see, what Olivia is on the lookout for, and what you should look forward to from her.
Speaking of fashion, Olivia knows who she might be wearing. “I love a look that will be debuting on the runway. Oh, I love it so much!” Last year, she wore LFJ and was seen walking down the runway. This year, she is discussing with veteran brands like Onalaja and Emmy Kasbit. So she is not saying definitely, but keep your eyes open!
Are you ready for it?
Lagos Fashion Week is as much about personal style and aesthetic as it is about strategy and preparation. There is a lot of nervous tension, but Olivia Arukwe’s insights remind us that a successful experience involves more than just looking good; it requires understanding the environment, respecting time, and engaging with fellow fashion enthusiasts.
Read more: These are the designers we are watching out for at Lagos Fashion Week 2025
