GTCO Fashion Weekend, one of the most highly anticipated events in the fashion world, commences today November 11, 2023, it promises to be an extraordinary celebration of style, creativity, and innovation. This year’s event is set to be a spectacular showcase of global fashion trends by emerging designers, and industry leaders.
The GTCO Fashion Weekend, now in its 6th edition, has consistently redefined the fashion landscape, bringing together designers, fashion enthusiasts, industry professionals, and trendsetters both locally and internationally. This year’s event is expected to be no exception, featuring a line-up of exciting masterclasses and runway show by renowned designers. Here’s a list of some of the designers to look out for this weekend:
- Sergio Hudson
Sergio Hudson is known for his elegant and sophisticated designs, often featuring bold and glamorous elements. Sergio grew having a great love and respect for fashion idols of the age like Azzedine Alaïa, Gianni Versace and Grace Jones. It was evident at a young age that Sergio was destined for a career in fashion, so it was no surprise when he went on to study design at Bauder College. In 2014, Hudson launched his namesake ready-to-wear collection, establishing an aesthetic defined by immaculate tailoring and infusions of androgyny paired with sexy silhouettes. Hudson gained a loyal following from Hollywood’s biggest names including Beyonce, Blake Lively, Keke Palmer, Jennifer Lopez and Tracee Ellis Ross. He recently had the pleasure of dressing both the former first lady Michelle Obama and the current Vice President for Inauguration and gracing the cover of Essence September issue. His vision is to bring back the joy of dressing which he is doing one collection at a time.
- Jawara
International hairstylist Jawara is one of the most sought-after names in fashion. The Senior Beauty Editor-at-Large of i-D Magazine has a number of notable accolades under his belt, including 2 x British Fashion Council ‘New Wave Creatives’ Awards, as well as Business of Fashion 500 and Dazed 100 rankings. He is also Global Ambassador of Farfetch Beauty and Global Styling Ambassador for Dyson Hair. Jawara first started his career as a salon assistant in Brooklyn when he was just 16. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Aveda Institute, Jawara moved to London and began assisting industry legends Guido Palau and Luigi Murenu on runway shows and shoots. It was after being mentored by icon Sam McKnight that Jawara reached the level of artistry at which he works today. When Jawara left McKnight’s team in 2013, he began working independently. His extensive knowledge and remarkably diverse skill set and range of work soon garnered the attention of many influential names, including Beyonce, Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Naomi Campbell, Kim Kardashian, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Serena Williams, Bella Hadid, Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Solange Knowles. Jawara’s work is frequently featured in the pages of American Vogue, British Vogue, Vogue Italia, Re-edition, Dazed, i-D, Pop Magazine, T Magazine, W Magazine, and WSJ Magazine, among others. His impressive roster of clients includes Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Versace, Alexander McQueen, Off-White, Dior, Lanvin, Tom Ford, Gucci, Calvin Klein, Loewe, Bally, Nina Ricci, Thierry Mugler, Chloe, Chanel, and Hermès.
- Banke Kuku
Banke Kuku is a visionary in fashion and design. Her designs have travelled far, connecting with a global audience through local and international stockists. Before her eponymous label, Banke honed her skills at esteemed international fashion houses. Notably, she contributed her artistic touch to Designers Guild, crafting fabrics for the royal collection displayed at Buckingham Palace. Expanding her creativity beyond fashion, Banke’s interior design division attracted prestigious clients, including Selfridges, Aynhoe Park Hotel, Le Bon Marché, and Bazar et Grande Manger. Her luxury loungewear reflects her culturally rich experiences in London and Lagos, which has heavily influenced her bold patterns, resulting in statement prints with captivating impact. Banke’s journey is a testament to her fusion of talent, passion, and unrelenting innovation in the world of design.
- Sir John
Sir John is a globally renowned makeup artist and creative director who, with over two decades of experience, has been a transformative force in the makeup industry. He is currently the creative director for the luxury brand, Kilian Paris, and boasts an impressive clientele that includes A-list celebrities like Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, and Joan Smalls. His collaborations, such as The Lion King x Luminess Collection and his role as the KISS Lash Ambassador for KISS Products, have solidified his position as a trusted figure among Hollywood’s elite. Sir John’s work stands as a beacon of creativity and inspiration in the constantly evolving beauty industry.
- Huishan Zhang
Chinese-born and Dior haute couture-trained designer, Huishan Zhang has been making waves before he graduated from the BA Fashion course at Central Saint Martins in London. He is most influenced by his Chinese heritage, particularly aspects of his native country’s craftsmanship and design, but he has taken these initial inspirations through his own global lens to produce typically feminine, refined silhouettes. He won the now-shuttered Dorchester Collective Fashion Prize in 2013 and had launched his label just two years earlier. His debut 2011 collection was picked up by Browns, the same boutique that carried John Galliano and Hussein Chalayan’s graduate collections.
- Ejiro Amos-Tafiri
Ejiro Amos-Tafiri is a Nigerian fashion designer known for her contributions to the Nigerian fashion industry. She is the creative mind behind the fashion label “Ejiro Amos Tafiri,” which specializes in contemporary African fashion. Launched in 2010, the brand’s inception followed the Creative Director’s tenure at Out of Africa, Zizi Ethnic Clothing, and Tiffany Amber. It was through this journey that she breathed new life into the Iro and Buba ensemble, birthing the iconic Oleku outfit.Ejiro pursued her Fashion education at Yaba College of Technology, where she earned the prestigious Best Student Award. As an accomplished artist, she has collaborated with esteemed names like Samsung, Vlisco, Belvedere, British Council, Lagos Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week, serving as both Designer and Brand Ambassador. Her brand has ascended the ranks of emerging labels in the ever-evolving fashion landscape. Ejiro Amos-Tafiri has presented her collections at Fashion Shows in America, Europe, and various African countries.
- Julee Wilson
Julee Wilson is the Beauty Editor-at-Large at Cosmopolitan. Prior, Wilson was the Beauty Director at Cosmo and she has held the roles of Global Beauty Director at ESSENCE, as well as ESSENCE’s Fashion & Beauty Director for three years. She also formally served as the Executive Director of BeautyUnited — a non-profit in the beauty space. Wilson spent several years at The Huffington Post and left holding the role of Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor.The award-winning journalist started her career at Real Simple magazine where she worked her way up from assistant to the Editor-in-chief to Staff Fashion Editor. Her writing has appeared in InStyle, Conde Nast Traveler, The Business of Fashion, and The International Journal of Fashion Studies – just to name a few. Wilson has also appeared on CNN, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and the CBS Early Show. She received her B.A. in Leadership Studies from the University of Richmond and is an alum of Stanford University’s former Professional Publishing Course. Wilson sits on the board of trustees at the Museum of the City of New York, the executive board of the Black In Fashion Council, the advisory board of Harlem’s Fashion Row, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She resides in Harlem NYC with her brilliant husband, two dope sons, and a massive shoe collection.
- DUABA SERWA
Duaba Serwa is renowned for creating luxurious style lines that cater to the woman who prefers understatements. Duaba’s garments are made for comfort and simplicity, with harmonious lines reinforced by a bold palette of colours and fine materials. Duaba Serwa has become synonymous with origami folds, triangular pleating and smock work made from luxurious silks and handwoven fabrics, tie-dyes and batiks. A dress by Duaba Serwa was worn by Michaela Coel on the cover of Vanity Fair’s Annual Hollywood issue in February 2021, which reiterated what the Duaba Serwa brand embodies: Slow Fashion, Sustainably Made, High-End. The global textiles juggernaut VLISCO handpicked Duaba Serwa to design a collection for their quarterly international campaign. The work was so well received, Duaba designed the subsequent 2 collections for them. The culmination of years of consistent work happened in 2022 when Duaba co-created a gown with academy award winning actress Lupita Nyongo for Ms Tina Knowles’s wearable Art Gala.
- TORLOWEl
TORLOWEl, a luxury ready-to-wear brand with a lingerie-inspired touch was founded by Patience when she embarked on her journey in 2006 in Brussels, founding Patience Torlowei BVBA, specializing in bridal wear. Within two years, the brand was supplying wedding and cocktail dresses to six European countries, all crafted in her Belgian garage. Recognizing a need for wedding lingerie, in 2008, TORLOWEI expanded its offerings. Fast forward to 2014, Patience’s masterpiece, “The Esther dress,” joined the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington DC, making history as the first couture piece from the National Museum of African Art. TORLOWEI’s creations have adorned dignitaries like Ghanaian First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, and notable figures such as DJ Cuppy Otedola, Naomi Campbell, and many more. This trailblazing brand became the first black-owned label in Harrods’ lingerie section and is also available at McMullen in California.
- BRUCE AND GLEN
Bruce and Glen share a lifelong love for fashion, even before they knew what to call it. Their formal journey into the world of fashion started at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania. Here, they delved into the business of fashion, discovering the fundamentals of merchandising, the concept that the fashion figure is 9 heads tall, and the art of pattern drafting. Glen specialized in fashion merchandising and business marketing, while Bruce pursued his passion for fashion design.Their resume boasts the creation and launch of celebrity brands for icons like Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz, and Diddy. In 2019, they pivoted their focus towards accessories, crafting an impressive bag collection that soared in popularity, especially during the pandemic.Then, in 2021, they introduced a sustainable clothing line that outshone even the handbags that initially defined their business.Their collections are bold, vibrant, and inclusive, sparking conversations and inviting everyone to be part of their fashion journey.Get ready to be amazed by their ever-colorful collections on display at their runway show.
- SUKEINA
SUKEINA, a Parsons School of Design graduate, started his journey at Sonia Rykiel in Paris, later becoming the Visual Director in New York. After valuable experiences with Sonia Rykiel and Christian Lacroix, he established his own fashion house, SUKEINA, in 2012, named after his late mother, symbolizing “bright light.” His passion for making women feel special and his unique worldview have shaped his progressive, innovative, and powerful yet elegant fashion. With a history of putting on stunning shows at GTCO Fashion Weekend, get ready for another unforgettable experience this year!
12. THEOPHILIO
Theophilio is a fashion brand founded by Jamaican-American designer Edvin Thompson. The brand is known for its bold and contemporary designs that often incorporate elements of Jamaican and Caribbean culture. Theophilio has gained recognition for its vibrant and expressive approach to fashion, celebrating the designer’s Jamaican heritage and exploring themes related to identity and self-expression. Thompson’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the brand’s thoughtfully curated collection, featuring items like flared leather trousers, relaxed denim, intricately printed T-shirts, crochet dresses, and vibrant mesh tops, all crafted from conscientiously sourced materials.
- LOZA MALÉOMBHO
Loza Maléombho, born in Brazil and raised between Côte d’Ivoire and the United States, Loza started designing at the age of 13. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation from the University of the Arts of Philadelphia in 2006.After interning with top fashion designers in New York City, she established herg own brand in 2009. Now based in Côte d’Ivoire, Loza Maléombho’s fashion blends traditional African aesthetics with contemporary style.
For more information on this event, please visit, https://fashionweekend.gtcoplc.com
Attendance is FREE.
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