The highly anticipated GTCO Fashion Weekend is here, featuring an exciting lineup of innovative brands, including some names that have reshaped African fashion on a global scale.
The Lagos Fashion season has been nothing short of spectacular — a dazzling continuum of creativity, culture, and craftsmanship. From the masquerade core — heavy use of raffia to the experimental and innovative twists on traditional attire at the Lagos Fashion Week. We saw how emotional and creative fashion can be, as designers use textiles and silhouettes to explore identity and cultural narratives. Now, a week later, the spotlight shifts once again, this time to Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, where the highly anticipated GTCO Fashion Weekend returns for its eighth year on the 8 and 9 November.
First launched in 2016 by Guaranty Trust Holding Company PLC (GTCO PLC), the GTCO Fashion Weekend has established itself as one of the most inclusive and dynamic fashion events in Africa. What sets it apart is its accessibility — a deliberate move to democratise the fashion space. The event’s exhibitions are open to brands eager to connect with a diverse audience, and the entry and runways remain free, welcoming everyone from seasoned insiders to curious enthusiasts. It’s where Lagos’ vibrant street style meets global design sensibilities, creating a cultural melting pot of innovation and inspiration.
Beyond the runway, GTCO Fashion Weekend’s trade fair and masterclasses have become invaluable platforms for emerging designers and established names alike. It’s a space where commerce meets creativity, and where conversations about sustainability, craftsmanship, and modern African identity come to life.
This year, the lineup is as eclectic as it is exhilarating; from Nigerian designers in diaspora taking over the runways to supermodels like Maria Borges, most notable for being the first black woman to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway with her natural hair.
Here are the designers we can’t wait to see light up the runway.
Tongoro Studio: A master of illusions in textiles
The Senegalese brand, founded by Sarah Diouf, became a pop culture favourite after designing garments for Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter and Renaissance tour. Known for its monochromatic use of prints and celebration of African femininity, — declaring itself as a 100% Made in Africa. The brand has previously partnered with the Nigerian fashion industry, with stocks in Temple Muse while featuring in Alara’s “Africa Fashion” exhibit in the Brooklyn Museum. However, this would be its first time unveiling a collection in Lagos since its Lagos Fashion Week run in 2018.
Ituen Basi: An art of fabric manipulation and craftsmanship
A pioneer in Nigerian fashion, Ituen Basi has built her eponymous brand on reinterpreting heritage through colour, texture, and humour. Her pieces, often rich in Ankara and newspaper print patchwork and storytelling details, explore the everyday joy and resilience of African womanhood. With her return to the GTCO runway, audiences can expect a fresh dialogue between nostalgia and modernity, as Basi continues to remind us that fashion is, above all, a language of self-expression.
Mmuso Maxwell: The beauty is structure and technique
Another brand co-signed by Beyoncé, the South African brand Mmuso Maxwell, will be returning to the GTCO runway this week. Founded by duo Mmuso Potsane and Maxwell Boko, who have mastered the art of quiet power. Their brand, Mmuso Maxwell, is known for architectural tailoring and a muted colour sensibility that emphasises form and craftsmanship. Their collections often examine structure, identity, and the intersection of gender through minimalist design — and their GTCO debut will likely offer a study in refined restraint.
Sevon Dejana: Another round of regal excellence
Straight from his Lagos Fashion Week display of velvet excellence and celestial-inspired designs. The Nigerian couturier is ready to introduce the collection to another audience.
Sevon Dejana has become synonymous with glamour and craftsmanship. His designs fuse precision with fluid elegance, often adorned with intricate embellishments and sculptural silhouettes. A regular on red carpets and in celebrity wardrobes, Dejana’s GTCO showcase is expected to be a masterclass in luxury and spectacle.
Ahluwalia: A showcase of sustainability and style
British-Nigerian-Indian designer Priya Ahluwalia continues to redefine sustainable luxury through her eponymous label, Ahluwalia. Her collections are an archive of cultural intersections — merging vintage sportswear with tailoring, pattern, and print inspired by her dual heritage. After earning international acclaim (and multiple fashion awards), Ahluwalia’s participation at GTCO brings her global aesthetic full circle — back to where part of her story began.
Tia Adeola:
Delicate yet defiant, Tia Adeola has carved a niche in romantic maximalism. The Nigerian-born, London-based designer, who first gained global attention for her signature ruffled pieces, creates garments that blend Renaissance opulence with modern Black femininity. Her collections are both ethereal and political, often reframing softness as strength. Expect her GTCO runway to be nothing short of poetic.
A celebration of African fashion
As GTCO Fashion Weekend approaches, the excitement grows, with a lineup that promises to captivate and inspire. The diverse array of designers, from the Senegalese innovative Tongoro Studio to the sophisticated South African Mmuso Maxwell, highlights the dimensional nature of African fashion and its ability to resonate on a global scale. This year’s event is beyond the clothes; it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and community.
Read more: Marie Claire Nigeria Trend Report: Lagos Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026
