The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, has held strategic talks with key international stakeholders to elevate indigenous fashion and textiles on the global stage.
The engagement involved the Founder of Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria, Mrs Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, and the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Johnny Baxter.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Adeoti Sobowale, the meeting included discussions around the upcoming 15th edition of Africa Fashion Week London, a major milestone in the global advancement of African fashion.
Mrs Benson-Awoyinka noted that the purpose of the meeting was to explore ways of promoting Adirea traditional Yoruba fabric, as a key export commodity and a vibrant symbol of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
She reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to supporting creative platforms that empower designers, preserve cultural identity, and contribute significantly to the creative economy.
Highlighting the broader vision, the commissioner said such collaborations are essential for amplifying African stories and positioning Lagos as the epicentre of fashion and creativity across the continent.
“As Nigeria’s fashion and creative capital, Lagos remains a hub for innovation, style, and enterprise. We are proud to support initiatives that showcase our cultural assets and inspire the next generation of creatives,” she said.
Benson-Awoyinka described the meeting as a crucial step in the international promotion of Adire and African fashion more broadly.
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Mrs Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, who is also the wife of the Ooni of Ife, expressed her excitement at what she termed a landmark initiative. She revealed that further collaborations are in the pipeline for the forthcoming fashion week.
Some of the planned partnerships include initiatives with the British Museum, Disney’s The Lion King, the Africa Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University, London, and Winches.