Moda Operandi launched a curated trunk show in collaboration with Lagos Fashion Week, hot on the heels of the fashion week earlier in November. The Lagos Fashion Week x Moda Operandi trunk show has been running since 18th November and will end on Monday, December 20, 2021.
The ongoing trunk show takes advantage of a model that best combines the physical experiences from the runway shows in Lagos and the emotions it evokes with opportunities for a global audience to shop some of the designers’ collections digitally post-show.
On the heels of the Spring / Summer ’22 shows and presentations, the #LagosFW x Moda Operandi Trunk Show highlights six labels—each honouring their African heritage by putting their own uniquely modern, ultra-covetable spin on traditional craftsmanship and local resources.
Meet the Designers: Lagos Fashion Week x Moda Operandi Trunk Show
Abiola Olusola
Amid the saturated colour palettes and patterned textiles of her peers, the Nigerian talent, Abiola Olusola stands out for her distinctly simplistic and quite yet sensual designs.
A marriage of palate-cleansing femininity with sleek, architectural shapes and tailoring, each piece is hand-crafted by local artisans- and a lesson in reimagining traditional craft for the modern-day.
Andrea Iyamah
With a flair for acutely flattering fits and hyper-elevated details- from ruching and knotting to origami-esque ruffles and chiffon-like trims, Dumebi Iyamah has solidified her brand as the go-to destination for a glamorous getaway wardrobe.
The best part? Her swimwears are so elegant, they often double as going-out tops.
Banke Kuku
Banke Kuku was born in Lagos and moved to UK when she was eight.
Inspired by the environments she was exposed to, the Central Saint Martins graduate blends elements of West Africa and Western Culture into luxe loungewear – inspired silhouettes and sets boasting vivid digital prints that tell profound stories about her home country.
Lisa Folawiyo
The eponymous designer, Lisa Folawiyo is a verifiable tastemaker in her own right- her on-trend collections are both a staple and a consistent high point of Lagos Fashion Week.
Her signature? Turning out bold and irresistibly luxe spins on Ankara- a local West African cloth- often showcasing hypnotic hues, a mélange of prints, and hand embellishments.
Onalaja
Born in Nigeria and educated in London, Kanyinsola Onalaja employs local artisans trained in traditional handcraftsmanship to create high-octane, richly textured works of intricate embellishment and embroidery.
The hand-painted mesh print and hand bearing in her designs capture an elevated, cosmopolitan spirit that, no doubt, is influenced by her upbringing.
Studio 189
Founders Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah are steadfastly committed to creating work for artisans and marginalized communities, sustainability, and celebrating heritage from Africa and its diaspora.
Made from natural plant dyes, Ghanaian kente cloth, innovative eco-conscious materials, and using traditional craftsmanship, the results empower with joyful print and colour clashes.
