Top African Designers to Feature as Epic Fashion Week Kicks Off May 23 in Lagos

 

Oyebade announced the event during a recent virtual conference. Epic Fashion Week is produced by Fashion Finest Africa, a platform dedicated to discovering and nurturing emerging fashion talent while offering access to international markets.

 

According to Oyebade, Africa's fashion industry is among the world's most vibrant and creatively rich ecosystems. However, he noted that many up-and-coming designers face a significant gap between their creative potential and the global opportunities available to them.

 

“That is what we are concentrating on. Everything we do is about creating opportunities for people who are new and emerging,” he said.

 

“Epic Fashion Week was created with a clear purpose — to go beyond the traditional ideas of fashion weeks and instead build a platform that truly works for designers. That platform not only gives visibility but creates real opportunities.

 

“It is not just about doing a runway show. It is about what happens after the runway show is over. How do we build a sustainable business, particularly for the new and emerging creatives that are entering the industry, who do not have the advantages that some of our more established designers have?”

 

The creative entrepreneur explained that the event merges runway showcases with business conversations, including networking sessions with fashion investors.

 

The journey for emerging designers will begin with an incubation phase featuring training in ethical sourcing, sustainable design, and responsible production. This will be followed by a competition phase where participants' work is tested both creatively and commercially. Selected designers will gain access to funding opportunities and a one-year mentorship programme with industry experts.

 

Oyebade added that 50 designers were selected for the 2026 edition based on clarity of design identity, innovation, regional relevance, business readiness, and growth potential.

 

The 2026 Epic Fashion Week will take place on May 23 and 24, 2026, at The Podium, Lekki, Lagos. The event will bring together designers, shoppers, media, investors, fashion enthusiasts, and industry stakeholders — all focused on discovery, collaboration, and opportunity.