Lagos Fashion Week showcased avant-garde creativity on its third day with innovative designs and storytelling.
Spiritual, experimental, and emotional; these are some of the few adjectives that come to mind when thinking about the Lagos Fashion Week season. With brands like Onalaja and Emmy Kasbit reminding us that the journey is as important as the destination, and ten years in the industry is a cause for celebration. A sentiment Lagos Fashion Week can relate to, as this marks its 15th year!
Other brands, like Dimeji Ilori and Hertunba, moved the audience with deeply personal storytelling. Dimeji Ilori, in particular, wove raffia and mats into his collection to explore Yoruba heritage and identity -- transforming everyday household objects into powerful symbols of cultural memory. Hertunba stayed true to their weaving technique - Akwete - and also introduced whimsical motifs that blurred the lines between fashion and art.
Lagos Fashion Week has seen its share of memorable moments, but when it comes to daring craftsmanship and unapologetic creativity, Day 3 stood in a league of its own. Here are five shows that completely left us speechless.
Read also: All the highlights from day 2 of Lagos Fashion Week -- and the looks everyone's talking about
Sevon Dejana: A royal reinvention
Beadwork has become a notable trend at the 2025 Lagos Fashion Week; however, the Nigerian luxury designer, Sevon Dejana, took a regal approach to his embellishments. Known for merging meticulous tailoring with concept-driven storytelling, his eponymous label once again delivered a show of precision and power. The SS26 collection, called Transcendence, stayed true to his signature -- opulent, sculptural, and deeply intentional.
For Sevon Dejana's runway, the collection featured silhouettes typically associated with celestial and royal figures. From the arch headpiece attached to the back of the first look of the collection -- a style often seen in portrayals of saints -- to the use of embellished velvet, a reference to medieval monarchs.
The show was impeccably executed and remarkably cohesive -- though an imperial robe finale would have been a playful, fitting touch. It was undoubtedly a crowd favourite, and we're certain these looks will be making their way to red carpets soon!
LFJ - The art of spectacle
When it comes to silhouette creation, LFJ is exceptional. Their dresses flowed and curved with a rhythm reminiscent of aquatic life. For a brand that invented the jellyfish and stingray dresses, it is definitely a thought to keep in mind.
LFJ -- founded by Juliet Olanipekun -- transformed the runway into a symphony of movement and colour. The brand featured exaggerated feathered headpieces, sculptural eyewear, and a palette that drifted between soft pastels and cool, oceanic tones. The collection celebrated maximalist glamour with a contemporary edge, where every texture shimmered with intent. A standout moment came in the form of a brown, form-fitting dress adorned with seashells that chimed softly as the model walked -- a poetic nod to nature's rhythm. Another highlight -- a crimson mini red ensemble with piped detailing along the sleeves and hem -- embodied LFJ's flair for precision and drama. It was a masterclass in showmanship -- confident, sensual, and unapologetically bold.
Read more: Beyond the runway: How Lagos Fashion Week is powering Nigeria's creative economy
Cute Saint: An expansion of personal style
Bucket hats, fringe detailing, hand-dyed batik, and a cheeky bag with the words "tote" bag written -- Cute Saint's latest collection reimagined streetwear through an artful, Nigerian lens. The contemporary, genderless label by Muftau Femi Ajose took a confident step into new territory while staying true to its roots in craftsmanship. Known for its locally produced organic fabrics and signature batik techniques, the brand fused functionality with wit. It also delivered pieces that felt both grounded in tradition and refreshingly irreverent.
While Cute Saint's Spring/Summer 2026 collection -- Beautiful Imperfections -- featured several hand-dyed pieces, including red-and-white stripes paired with blue-and-white patterns (a pairing some likened to the American flag), the collection explored much darker palettes. It marked a striking departure from the brand's buoyant 2024 show, where models danced across the stage in celebration.
This creative pivot underscores Muftau Femi Ajose's impressive range. His exploration of deeper hues -- particularly his bold use of red -- felt both intentional and timely, aligning seamlessly with the season's prevailing trend seen across runways from Imad Eduso to Onalaja and Dimeji Ilori.
Pepper Row: The masters of play
Pepper Row, founded by Omafume Niemogha, creates pieces that are light, expressive, and often playful. Known for creating pieces that feel light, expressive, and playfully avant-garde, the brand's SS26 collection took audiences on a visual rollercoaster.
Building on the extraterrestrial inspirations of SS25, this season explored a richer tactile landscape. Signature textiles like Aso-oke and Adire appeared alongside raffia and cotton, revealing a thoughtful balance between heritage and innovation. The prints went beyond their signature pieces, incorporating harlequin and tie-dye. The collection featured exquisite draping techniques, and a personal favourite was a tie-dyed, draped two-piece with a train.
Garbe: A political love letter
As the model first steps onto the runway, I'm unmoved -- it's just a plain white T-shirt. But as they draw closer, the details come into focus: a bold print of former President Sani Abacha's face, framed by the word "Wahala." It's sharp, political, and instantly provocative -- the kind of statement piece that reminds us why everyone loves a commentary show.
Garbe, founded by Bella Adeleke, continued these political undertones with womenswear pieces featuring headwear reminiscent of the series adaptation of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. The collection had sub-collections, from brightly coloured beachwear to 70s-inspired officewear. Titled "Adepeju," it was an ode to Lagos with hopes to encompass all of the city: the chaos, the calm, and the colour.
Looking ahead
Day 3 of Lagos Fashion Week was a definitive high point -- a seamless blend of celebration and cutting-edge creativity. From LFJ reaffirming its signature glamour to Cute Saint's bold reinvention, it was a night that reminded us why Lagos remains fashion's most exciting hub. We can't wait to see what Day 4 unveils.
Read more: These are the iconic fashion films that'll make you fall in love with style all over again
Author lazyload Chinazam Ikechi-Uko
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