Rooted in culture and heritage, these three designers left an undeniable mark on the season.
The Fall/Winter fashion season is still in full swing, and the spotlight has shifted from the recently concluded New York shows to the Autumn/Winter season in London. As the London Fashion Week AW26 unfolded, it was a pleasant delight to see Nigerian designers once again presenting their collections to a global audience this season.
London Fashion Week always feels special. More often than not, you can count on spotting a Nigerian designer among the lineup of international brands. The platform continues to place our name on the global stage, showcasing to the world the depth of talent and creativity that runs through our industry.
Beyond the runway, it serves as a powerful platform for brands to connect directly with key players across the fashion ecosystem. For any label, it remains one of the most influential stages to present a collection.
This year, we spotted three Nigerian designer-led brands that were certain to leave their mark on the London Fashion Week stage.
Tolu Coker
British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker made headlines this past week on the opening day of London Fashion Week. Not only did she officially kick off the event, but her show was also graced by the presence of HRM King Charles III. The moment felt especially full circle, as Coker was a beneficiary of The King’s Trust in 2018 — a programme founded to support young creatives and entrepreneurs.
Titled SURVIVOR’S REMORSE, the AW26 collection was an ode to the London community that shaped Coker’s formative years. She brought a piece of home to the audience by transforming the basement venue with intimate imagery — of loved ones, posters of Notting Hill Carnival, and other significant references. A live performance by fellow British-Nigerian artist Little Simz was another highlight, setting the tone for the personal presentation.
The collection showcased a series of standout designs, from vibrant plaid ensembles and dramatic puff sleeves to cropped jackets and flirty mini skirts. Some of the silhouettes also looked reminiscent of uniforms, alongside redefined suits and contemporary streetwear figures. The prints, in particular, fused vibrant colour palettes and the bold, expressive patterning of Nigerian design with the timeless checks, plaids, and structured tailoring of classic British fashion, creating a striking visual dialogue between both identities.
The show was also bittersweet, marking her final season in collaboration with NEWGEN — the British Fashion Council’s prestigious initiative dedicated to supporting and mentoring emerging designers. Reflecting on the milestone, Coker described the moment as having her “heart wide open and head held high,” likening it to graduating with honours after six seasons on the London Fashion Week calendar under the NEWGEN umbrella.
All in all, it was an expressive collection that showcased Coker’s artistry and experiences, shaped by grief, ambition, belonging, and self-discovery.
Kanyinsola Imade Onalaja
Designer Kanyinsola Onalaja presented her Autumn/Winter 2026 collection for Onalaja at London Fashion Week on Friday, February 20. Staged at Los Mochis City, the AW26 presentation marked the brand’s official debut on the London Fashion Week calendar.
Following her striking off-site SS26 showcase titled MARKED at Lagos Fashion Week 2025, it was a pleasure to see the brand step onto such a global platform, bringing its signature maximalist magic to an international audience. True to form, the collection featured Onalaja’s hand-beaded dresses and signature mesh designs, alongside skirts, tailored trousers, beaded bras, and bralettes. Intricate embroidery and meticulously handcrafted appliqués adorned the collection, while rich textures like wool and fringe added a softer, rhythmic dimension to each piece.
Known for creating pieces that empower women, the silhouettes were bold and confident.
In addition to the momentum, just days before the presentation, Onalaja was shortlisted for the BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2026. The winner, to be announced in May 2026, will receive £150,000 in funding along with high-level mentoring from the British Fashion Council and Vogue — a significant milestone for the growing brand.
Priya Ahluwalia
Although not on the runway this season, Ahluwalia by Indian-Nigerian designer Priya Ahluwalia made a statement in its own distinctive way. Known for weaving her dual heritage into her work, Ahluwalia continues to explore identity, culture, and sustainability through a distinctly global lens.
This season, the British Fashion Council introduced the LFW Designer Showcase — a new initiative designed to connect designers directly with both local and international industry experts. The three-day programme, held from Friday 20 to Monday 23 February, spotlighted a cohort of designers shaping the future of British fashion.
Notably, each featured designer had previously participated in one of the BFC’s foundation initiatives — including Ahluwalia. The brand leveraged the platform in alignment with its broader goal of: “connecting designers directly with local and international industry experts, signalling a shift towards purpose-driven creativity with real commercial outcomes.”
Elevating the global conversation
Across these three remarkable women, one thing remained constant: their passion, love and intentionality in showing their best — all while honouring their culture and heritage.
The London fashion scene has long served as a global launchpad for emerging and established talent alike, and their presence this season reinforces that legacy. Their showcases for the London Fashion Week AW26 carried the weight of hard-earned experience and the confidence of designers with boundless creativity.
If this season is any indication, we’re eagerly anticipating what they will unveil for Spring/Summer next.
