As GTCO Fashion Weekend 2024 Kicks-off This Saturday

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Renowned International fashion designers, influencers and lifestyle connoisseurs are set for an unforgettable journey into the world of fashion as GTCO Fashion Weekend kicks off Saturday in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Fashion Weekend, powered and founded in 2016 by Guaranty Trust Holdings, will hold on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 November at the GTCenter, Plot 1, Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Fashion Weekend, which has evolved into a prominent platform for spotlighting Africa’s finest talents and fostering small businesses in the fashion industry, will bring together global fashion leaders and industry experts. It will also offer a valuable opportunity for hundreds of local fashion enterprises to expand their businesses, tap into new markets and position themselves for sustained growth.

This year’s event will feature the highly anticipated Runway Show, showcasing a curated collection of bold and captivating fashion statements by Africa’s finest brands and designers. The lineup includes Hue By Idera, Tolu Coker, Oríré, Gert-Johan Coetzee, Eric Raisina, Onalaja, Xu Zhi, Ituen Basi, Selly Raby Kane, Laquan Smith, Sukeina and Romeo Hunte.

As they unveil their latest collections and set trends that will influence fashion in the future, fashion devotees and other guests would be thrilled and entertained with glamorous, creative designs, which came in various designs including casual, corporate, party wear and Afrocentric styles.

Additionally, the 2024 GTCO Fashion Weekend will feature a series of online masterclasses led by four esteemed fashion industry experts like Lulu Kennedy, Patricia Bright, Sheika Daley and Ted Gibson. These masterclasses, tailored for entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts, will provide valuable insights into building and sustaining fashion brands in the present and future.

On the first day, Lulu Kennedy, a fashion editor, will be speaking on ‘Incubating Talent: Supporting The Next Generation’ while Patricia Bright, a fashion Influencer will be handling ‘Style, Influence + Everything In Between: Creating Your Online World’.

On Day 2 of the Fashion Weekend, Sheila Daley, a Make-Up diva will take up the topic ‘A Maestro In The World of Celebrity Makeup Artistry’ and the day Masterclass will be wrapped off by Ted Gibson, a celebrity hairdresser with a salon in New York City with notable clients include Anne Hathaway, Renée Zellweger, Kate Gosselin, Zoe Saldana, and Ashley Greene. In 60 minutes, the hair expert will be taking participants on the trip with the topic ‘Iconic Hair: The Hollywood Story’.

There are also six designers that will take the Presentation Stage at the Fashion Weekend. They are Ninie, Moye Africa, Lohije, Ibilola Ogundipe, Jewel Jamila and Elpis Megalio.

Segun Agbaje, the Group Chief Executive Officer, GTCO Holdings, said the 2024 edition of the GTCO Fashion Weekend is more than an event but a deliberate and collective effort to uplift, empower, and celebrate the incredible talent Africa has to offer.

“As we celebrate this edition, let us reflect on the broader impact of African fashion on the World. It is a growing global phenomenon, embraced by international designers and celebrities. African designs are appearing in luxury boutiques in Paris, Milan and New York. Our fabrics, patterns and aesthetics are influencing fashion houses worldwide.

“We understand the importance of supporting this growth. Our commitment to African fashion goes beyond this weekend’s event, and we remain dedicated to promoting creativity, empowering entrepreneurs, and ensuring that the world continues to recognize the incredible potential of African fashion.

“So whether you’re attending a masterclass, shopping the latest collections, or watching the runway come alive, this weekend is about embracing the diversity, creativity, and brilliance that African fashion represents. I encourage you to fully enjoy and engage with all that this 7th edition of the GTCO Fashion Weekend 2024 has to offer,” Agbaje said.