Culture

Adire Fashion: Lagos backs global push for indigenous textiles

Published

1 year ago

June 11, 2025

Lagos Commissioner Toke Benson-Awoyinka champions Adire fashion at a strategic meeting with Africa Fashion Week founder and UK envoy, aiming to boost Nigerian textiles globally

In a bold move to elevate Adire fashion and Nigeria’s cultural heritage on the global stage, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, has hosted a strategic meeting with key stakeholders in the fashion and diplomatic communities.

Also read: Ecobank’s “Adire Lagos” opens in grand style with over 100 exhibitors

The high-level meeting brought together Her Majesty Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, founder of Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria, and the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter.

The agenda centred on advancing the cultural and economic potential of Adire textiles a distinctive indigo-dyed fabric synonymous with Yoruba identity — as a premium export and symbol of African creativity.

Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka reiterated the state government’s commitment to championing indigenous creativity, stating that Lagos will continue to provide robust support for platforms that empower designers, preserve cultural heritage, and stimulate economic growth.

“As the fashion and creative capital of Nigeria, Lagos remains a catalyst for innovation, style, and enterprise. We are proud to support initiatives that promote our cultural assets and inspire the next generation of creatives,” she said.

The Commissioner described the meeting as a landmark moment in the campaign to showcase Adire and other indigenous designs to the world.

She emphasised that collaborations with global partners such as Africa Fashion Week and the British diplomatic mission are instrumental in amplifying African narratives, bolstering the state’s creative economy, and enhancing its international cultural profile.

The meeting also featured discussions on the upcoming 15th edition of Africa Fashion Week London a landmark celebration of African fashion excellence that has, over the years, served as a global launchpad for designers of African descent.

Also read: MTN Nigeria celebrates culture, fashion at the resplendent 38th Lisabi Festival

As Lagos continues to position itself as Africa’s leading fashion hub, the renewed focus on Adire fashion signals a broader movement to preserve and promote indigenous artistry while creating sustainable economic opportunities for Nigerian artisans.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”