… As 11 Designers Set to showcase their ingenuity
By Theresa Moses
As the much highly-anticipated 2023 Guaranty Trust Fashion Weekend gears up for its 6th edition, everywhere is agog with alvanche of expectations from participants and enthusiastic designers.
The event is scheduled to take place on November 11th and 12th at the GTCentre in Lagos, Nigeria.This annual event has become a beacon for the African fashion industry, drawing attention to the creativity, talent, and enterprise of the continent’s fashion world.
Showcase of African Fashion Excellence
The GTCO Fashion Weekend is not just another fashion event; it’s a celebration of Africa’s finest fashion. This consumer-focused fair has gained prominence over the years for its commitment to showcasing the diversity and vibrancy of the continent’s fashion landscape. Attendees can expect to witness a rich tapestry of traditional and contemporary designs, ranging from established fashion brands to emerging labels.
Meeting of Fashion Icons
One of the highlights of this event is the opportunity to interact with universally celebrated fashion icons and engaging style personalities. For those passionate about fashion, it’s a rare chance to engage different individuals who have left an indelible mark in the industry. This unique blend of established talents and emerging creative ingenuity makes the GTCO Fashion Weekend a must-attend event for all and sundry who are conscious about fashion.
Essence of Tradition and Innovation
In addition to the thrilling runway shows and opportunities for networking, the GTCO Fashion Weekend offers a valuable educational component through insightful masterclasses.
Experts in the field will share their knowledge, providing participants with a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the fashion industry. This focus on education underscores the event’s commitment to fostering talent and creativity.
A Shopper’s Paradise
The GTCO Fashion Weekend is not just about admiring fashion from a distance; it’s a shopper’s paradise. With over 140 fashion retailers setting up stalls, attendees have the opportunity to explore and purchase a wide array of clothing, accessories, and more. The free stalls provided to these retailers allow them to showcase their products and connect directly with potential customers.
The GTCO Experience
The GTCO brand is synonymous with quality, and the Fashion Weekend lives up to its reputation. Colourful façades, lively music, and a delightful ambiance create a multisensory experience that’s thoroughly fulfilling. It’s not just about what you see on the runway or in the stalls; it’s about the entire atmosphere, the energy, and the sense of celebration that will spread through the event.
The vision of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc
Speaking on the 2023 GTCO Fashion Weekend, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Segun Agbaje, emphasised the event’s significance. He stated, “Fashion is not just about making items of clothing or style accessories; it is about exploring feelings and channelling creative expressions to create experiences that resonate with various buyers across different markets.”
Agbaje while noting the evolving landscape of fashion and consumer needs, emphasized that the 2023 GTCO Fashion Weekend provides unique opportunity for local fashion retailers to seize emerging trends and buyers’ preferences.
GTCO Fashion Weekend: Promoting Enterprise
The GTCO Fashion Weekend is one of the main platforms of Guaranty Trust Bank for ‘Promoting Enterprise,’ benefiting its growing retail and SME customer base while supporting the indigenous creative industry.
Guaranty Trust Bank is the flagship subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, a leading financial services company providing banking and non-banking services across eleven countries.
Renowned for its innovative approach to customer service and stakeholder engagement, Guaranty Trust Bank’s non-profit, consumer-focused fairs and capacity-building initiatives for small businesses have endeared the GTCO brand to millions of people across Africa and beyond.
11 Designers Set to Dominate the Runways
The GTCO Fashion Weekend promises to be an exciting showcase of talent and creativity. In addition to a series of online masterclasses led by esteemed fashion industry experts, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts. The event maintains the highly anticipated Runway Show, featuring bold fashion statements from some of Africa’s finest brands.
Notable designers set to dazzle the audience this year have not only carved a niche for themselves in the industry but are also poised to make a significant impact at the event.
Banke Kuku – A visionary fashion designer known for harmoniously blending traditional African attire with modern techniques. Her creations resonate with a global audience through a fusion of cultural experiences in London and Lagos.
BruceGlen – Twin brothers Bruce and Glen are fashion enthusiasts with expertise in merchandising, fashion design, and business marketing. They have created celebrity brands, a successful accessories line, and recently ventured into sustainable clothing.
Duaba Serwa – Renowned for her expertise in origami folds, triangular pleats, and smockwork, Duaba Serwa emphasises luxury and slow fashion. She co-designed a gown for Ms. Tina Knowles’ Wearable Art Gala.
Ejiro Amos-Tafiri – A Nigerian women’s fashion brand that blends traditional African attire with modern techniques, giving birth to the iconic Oleku outfit. Ejiro has showcased her collections globally.
Huishan Zhang – A Chinese designer trained in Dior haute couture, Huishan Zhang infuses his Chinese heritage with a global perspective to create elegantly feminine silhouettes.
Loza Maléombho – Born in Brazil and raised between Côte d’Ivoire and the United States, Loza’s designs fuse traditional African aesthetics with modern, contemporary flair.
Mazelle – Mariam Afolabi Badmus, the creative force behind Mazelle, draws inspiration from African heritage and popular culture to create nostalgic and unique pieces, often incorporating hand-beaded embellishments.
Patience Torlowei – Founder of TORLOWEI, a luxury ready-to-wear brand with a lingerie-inspired touch. She is known for her meticulous craftsmanship and a couture piece in the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection.
Sergio Hudson – A designer known for flawless tailoring and a fusion of androgynous elements with seductive silhouettes. He has dressed America’s former First Lady, Michelle Obama, and the current Vice President, Kamala Harris.
SUKEINA – Founded by Omar Salam, SUKEINA is characterised by a progressive, innovative, and powerful yet refined aesthetic. Salam’s designs aim to empower women and pay tribute to his late mother.
Theophilio – Led by Jamaican-American designer Edvin Thompson, Theophilio seamlessly blends Jamaican heritage with Brooklyn’s urban vitality, with a strong commitment to sustainability.
These designers bring their unique styles and influences to the world of fashion, offering a diverse range of choices for fashion enthusiasts and trendsetters.
Don’t Miss Out on this Extravaganza
Attendance at the GTCO Fashion Weekend at the GTCentre, Plot 1 Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Lagos, Nigeria, is free, making it accessible to all who are passionate about fashion, whether they’re industry professionals, fashion enthusiasts, or shoppers looking for the latest trends.
To learn more about this exciting event and to plan your visit, please visit the GTCO Fashion Weekend website (https://fashionweekend.gtcoplc.com).
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