In line with its commitment to incubating and training young talent, facilitating impact-driven conversations with key stakeholders as well as being at the forefront of developing our local manufacturing industry through capacity building, Lagos Fashion Week’s Green Access, an annual talent discovery platform, has opened entries for applications by designers from Nigeria until 23rd August 2023.
This season in line with the theme, “Standing The Test of Time,” the Green Access programme will admit five young Nigerian talents with a core focus on designing from waste.
Green Access is a fashion accelerator programme that nurtures young designers and drives the recommitment of resource efficiency, biodegradability, longevity and recyclability as guiding principles for fashion design and production. Launched in 2018, Green Access has spotlighted fashion enterprises transforming their business models and embracing strategies towards a more environmentally, socially and ethically conscious production.
Following the completion of the Green Access 2022 programme, The OR Foundation awarded a grant of 10,000 USD to two designers from the 2022 cohort, Themba Shezi (Heru Shezi, South Africa) and Lu Adesola (Lul’la House, Nigeria), to support the growth and development of their brands.
The grant was awarded based on their understanding and commitment to exploring the concept of circular fashion and integrating pre-existing materials (textiles, garments or waste from another sector) into their design practice.
The OR Foundation, a USA-based 501(C)(3) public charity, has been operating in Ghana since 2009. With a mission to identify and manifest alternatives to the dominant model of fashion, the foundation works at the intersection of environmental justice, education, and fashion development. By promoting ecological prosperity and inspiring a deeper relationship with fashion beyond the role of the consumer, the OR Foundation aligns perfectly with the values and objectives of Lagos Fashion Week’s Green Access program.
Lagos Fashion Week and The OR Foundation believe that sustainable fashion has the power to create positive change and drive the industry towards a more responsible and conscious future.
Through the Green Access platform, emerging designers will be empowered to make a significant impact and contribute to a more sustainable and circular fashion industry.
Important Dates to mark on your calendars for Lagos Fashion Week 2023
- Green Access Applications Open: 25th July – 23rd August 2023 | Apply HERE
- Runway Shows: 26th – 29th October 2023
