Lagos, Nigeria witnessed a spectacular convergence of stylish, creative and innovative fashion lovers for the GTCO Fashion Weekend which unfolded with grandeur and left the crowd in awe. Themed “Hip Hop”, Lagosians were sure to deliver exuberant, edgy and expressive outfits that as usual made highlights from GTCO fashion weekend 2023 on all social media platforms with the hash tag #GTCOFASHIONWEEKEND.
Held at the GTB owned event center located at Plot 1,Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Lagos, the event showcased the latest trends, emerging talents, and the ever- evolving landscape of Nigeria and International fashion.
STREET FASHION AND POP UP STORES
OUTDOOR
The gates were opened by 10 am prompt for both the 11th and 12th of November 2023. A multitude of fashion enthusiasts , influencers and business owners were all around to experience, showcase and sell their products and style respectively.
The outdoors had the Street village where several streetwear brands , Native African designers and food vendors were assembled to sell and exhibit their products. It was a bubbling experience! The shining sun couldn’t tame the energy of the crowd! People were seen queuing up to get pieces from David Blackmoore(A renowned Lagos Streetwear brand). The quest for Quacktails (Drink brand) was insane not forgetting the hustle for the Jollof rice !
On the other hand, the fashionistas were in high spirits and made the open ground their runway and photo booth. From strutting around for content creators and posing for the camera, It is fair to say, the energy was Fashion or Nothing!
The skaters were seen in their street styles skating in their tracksuits and sneakers. One could clearly see the disruption in norm where guys were fully expressive in their style ranging from crop tops, flowing dresses not forgetting the stylish way in which jackets were worn from tuxedos, leathers and denim. The ladies were seen in their glory beautifully adorned in their colourful dresses and heels pairing with their accessories from bags to scarves and jewelries.
Photo credit: @Kvngshotit
Photo credit: @Kvngshotit
Photo credit: @Kvngshotit
Photo credit: @Kvngshotit
Photo credit: @Kvngshotit
Photo credit: @Kvngshotit
Photo credit: @Photogirlnaija
Photo credit: @Photogirlnaija
Photo credit: @Darlex.1
INDOOR
Beautifully partitioned into chambers, the indoor had several fashion brands selling and advertising their products to a very much active crowd who that were seen buying and interacting as well. As always, GTCO Fashion Weekend offered very educational Masterclasses delivered by outstanding experts in the various topics: Fashion Design, Mental Health and well being in the Industry, Hair Dressing, Storytelling and Skincare/Makeup. The crowd could be seen eagerly queuing up for each Masterclass that were shared between hours and days.
Photo credit: @Jullyin4k
Photo credit: @Who_is_aaron
Photo credit: @whois_aaron
Photo credit: @Darlex.1
Master Classes
Photo credit: @Photogirlnaija
PRESENTATION STAGE
GTCO Fashion Weekend always aims at empowering the future of fashion entrepreneurs and this year the spotlighted six fashion brands: Y’wandelag, Titibelo, The Lady maker, Rendolloficial, The Fia Factory and Abigail Ajobi. These brands were given the stage to present their pieces to the ever attentive crowd.
Rendolloficial delivered a very vibrant and flowy collection where the models were seen in printed, plain and glisterring pieces. Abigail Ajobi brought the Adire and Denim unisex combo to life styled in different styles from two pieces, dresses, coats, trousers and jackets. It was a contemporary afro collection. The Fia Factory adorned the models in highly crafted dresses made from a range of fabrics. Titibelo presented an exquisite collection with very golden prints made into very stylish silhouettes for the ladies. With the models styled in African inspired hair styles, Y’wandelag brought the afrocentric inspired pieces to life in plain fabrics from white, to brown, beige and blue denim with play of fraying and attached crafted designs which stood out as prints. Well dressed ladies’ looks were presented by The Lady Maker giving us well tailored pieces made from cotton, bold monochrome stripe, Adire and glistering fabrics. In a whole, the presentation was a beautiful two days sessions that gave the designers and crowd a moment.
Titibelo
Photo credit: @Latunji
Y’wandelag
Photo credit: @ThePedigree
RUNWAY
DAY 1
Spread across the two days, the runway is always the highlight of the event. Day 1 saw a long queue of eager crowds trying to find their way into the hall. The runway kicked off with Theophilo, an international black owned brand, starting the show with very colourful, glisterring and printed pieces made for both genders. The pieces were made in dresses, jackets,trousers, men’s two pieces and jumpsuits. Banke Kuku then took over with an array of printed pieces made into royal flowing dresses, kimono, head gears and two pieces. It was an expression of royalty and wealth (Rich Aunties) not forgetting how relaxed the men’s designs looked. Loza Maleombho showcased two pieces, dresses, styled with silver PU materials giving the looks of a Roman soldier inspired collection.
After a brief break, Bruce Glen took over the runway with a vibrant unisex collection that were showcased in a playful and energetic vibe as the models were seen vibing in bright gradient, polka dots, floral, stripe and plain pieces made into two pieces, dresses, jackets, mesh tops, flowy shirts and kimono. Mazelle was so chic delivering a line-up of beautifully crafted corsets made into flowy dresses, two pieces and some styled with denim trousers. Mazelle took us to Bridgeton and back with groundbreaking silhouettes ranging from ball gowns and balloon gowns made from satin, chiffon, cotton, crepe e.t.c. Finally, we were in the garden where Ejiro Amos Tafiri took us into her world of beautifully crafted pieces made from chiffon, Aso oke, lace and the hem were properly weaved to give a top notch feel of Africanism. Not forgetting the kid models that made the crowd emotional. The models wore pieces including, two pieces, flowy dresses, a whole new silhouettes of the agbada design for the men, jackets e.t.c, with the basket pairing complimenting the look to fill in the garden sensation.
Theophilo
Photo credit: @Fashiopheevamagazinerunway
Banke Kuku
Photo credit: @Fashiopheevamagazinerunway
Loza Malembho
Photo credit: @Fashiopheevamagazinerunway
Bruce Glen
Photo credit: @Fashiopheevamagazinerunway
Mazelle
Photo credit: @Fashiopheevamagazinerunway
Ejiro Amos Afiri
Photo credit: @Fashiopheevamagazinerunway
Day 2
Still awed by Day 1’s runway, The crowd could be seen patiently queuing outside as usual for the real deal of the day. The curtains dropped and the models took over! Talking of a stylish English lady, Huishan Zhang a London based brand brought English style to Africa with very timeless pieces that I would boldly refer to any contemporary stylish lady. With plain pieces brought into life using silver glitters as patterns, the silhouettes were fitted gowns, flowy dresses and stylish coats. All the way from the United States of America , Sergio Hudson delivered what I would say is a classy collection that left us needing more. The collection was made up of well tailored tuxedos, gowns, skirts, shorts and tops. The girls were looking so modern as they queued up the runway in outfits made mostly from white and cream cotton fabrics. Duaba Serwa with her signature crafted design pattern presented dresses, mesh turtle neck tops, jumpsuits, jackets, maxi skirts, two pieces and trousers that were mostly in black, blue, red, silver, beige and prints.
Assembling after a snack break courtesy of GTCO Fashion Weekend, Torlowei made us think of a Vacay at Zanzibar. This runway was filled with relaxed dreamy pieces made from see through fabrics tailored into shirts, shorts and trousers while satin and crepe were used to make dresses and kimonos all styled to give the feel of a relaxed but stylish lady stunned in heels chilling in the middle of Zanzibar. It is futuristic, it is metallic, it is sophisticated, which was what Sukeina brought the GTCO Fashion Weekend to a wrap with. The models were seen in very elegant headgears made from what looks like a silver crown, the show opener and show closer were adorned in a flowy jumpsuit while most of the models were seen in fitted gowns, fitted jumpsuit, see through tops and in signature trousers which took the silhouette of balloon trousers tailored to give a balloon shape at the bosom area and skinny from the knee below. The use of bold gold zippers that were seen boldly at the chest level was a signature aesthetic of the collection.
The show ended with a spree and excitement as the crowd could be seen intrigued by every single runway.
Photo credit: @Fashiopheevamagazinerunway
Photo credit: @Fashiopheevamagazinerunway
Sukeina
Photo credit: @Fashiopheevamagazinerunway
