Africa Fashion Week Nigeria 2025: Everything You Need To Know

Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) is gearing up for its 2025 edition, set to take place on December 20 and 21 at the historic J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Onikan, Lagos.

Themed the “Detty December Edition,” this year’s festival promises a unique combination of fashion showcases, cultural exhibitions, and creative industry engagements designed to highlight African design in a festive and interactive setting. For anyone interested in African fashion, culture, or creative business opportunities, the 2025 edition offers something for every visitor.

AFWN 2025 aims to redefine the way fashion events are experienced in Nigeria. Moving away from the traditional runway-only approach, the festival introduces a more interactive structure, creating a marketplace environment where fashion designers, buyers, and other industry professionals can connect and collaborate.

The program will include live fashion presentations, music performances, cultural displays, and exhibitions focused on sustainability and design innovation. By broadening the scope beyond runway shows, the organisers aim to offer a comprehensive experience that blends creativity, commerce, and culture.

Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, the Founder and Executive Director of AFWN, highlighted the importance of the timing and location. She explained that hosting the event at the J. Randle Centre during the festive December period allows fashion to intersect with Nigeria’s cultural and social calendar.

According to her, fashion is more than just clothing; it is a language of identity. Africa’s creative voices, long underrepresented globally, are given a platform to shine. The Detty December Edition turns Lagos into a meeting point for heritage, commerce, and innovation, using the venue’s historical significance to connect contemporary fashion with cultural pride.

Since its launch, Africa Fashion Week Nigeria has consistently attracted a wide audience. The event has hosted over 3,000 fashion designers and welcomed more than 90,000 participants, including local and international buyers, media representatives, stylists, and fashion enthusiasts.

Over the years, AFWN has built a reputation as a platform for emerging designers, helping them gain visibility, forge business relationships, and grow their brands. The 2025 edition continues this tradition while offering fresh opportunities for collaboration across the continent’s creative sectors.

Elizabeth Igwe, Communications and PR Director for AFWN 2025, emphasized that the festival is not just a showcase of fashion but a celebration of African creativity in its entirety. She explained that the Detty December Edition is designed to highlight the dual nature of fashion as both culture and commerce.

By bringing together designers, artists, musicians, and other creatives, the event aims to foster partnerships and inspire innovation within the fashion industry. Guests can expect a festival-like atmosphere, with opportunities to experience the best of African design, engage with creators, and explore potential business collaborations.

The event will also serve as a platform for promoting sustainability in fashion. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental impact of clothing production, and AFWN 2025 aims to highlight designers and initiatives that focus on ethical sourcing, recycling, and environmentally friendly practices. Exhibitions and presentations on sustainability will encourage attendees to think critically about the future of fashion and the responsibility of creators and consumers alike.

AFWN 2025 is also designed to support the wider creative economy. By integrating workshops, networking sessions, and industry discussions into the festival program, organisers aim to create opportunities for knowledge sharing and skill development.

Emerging fashion designers will gain insights from established professionals, while buyers and investors will have the chance to discover fresh talent and explore potential partnerships. This combination of education, exposure, and business development sets AFWN apart from typical fashion events and strengthens Lagos’s position as a hub for creative industries in Africa.

Attendance at the two-day festival is free, but visitors are required to register in advance. This system helps manage crowd control and ensures a safe environment for all participants. Interested attendees can sign up on the AFWN website or follow the official social media channels for updates. Registration will also be necessary for designers, volunteers, and media representatives, with further details regarding participation to be released in the weeks leading up to the event.

The choice of Lagos as the host city reflects its growing status as a cultural and commercial center in Africa. As the economic and creative heart of Nigeria, Lagos offers a vibrant backdrop for fashion events, combining modern infrastructure with rich cultural heritage. By situating AFWN within the city, organisers leverage its appeal to local and international audiences, encouraging tourism, investment, and cultural exchange.

One of the most exciting aspects of AFWN 2025 is its focus on interactive experiences. Attendees will have opportunities to engage directly with designers, view collections up close, and even participate in live creative sessions. This approach moves beyond passive observation, allowing guests to gain a deeper understanding of the design process and the cultural stories behind each collection. It also offers designers a unique way to receive immediate feedback and build personal connections with potential buyers.

Music and performance art will play a central role in the festival. Live performances from African artists will complement the fashion showcases, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere. Cultural displays, including traditional dances and heritage exhibitions, will highlight Nigeria’s diverse artistic traditions, linking contemporary fashion to historical roots. These performances reinforce AFWN’s commitment to celebrating African culture while providing entertainment that appeals to a broad audience.

Sustainability-themed exhibitions will provide an educational component to the festival. Visitors can explore innovations in eco-friendly textiles, learn about ethical fashion practices, and discover designers who prioritize environmental responsibility. These exhibitions align with global trends in sustainable fashion and demonstrate Africa’s role in shaping the future of the industry. By combining education with entertainment, AFWN 2025 creates a well-rounded experience that appeals to fashion enthusiasts, professionals, and casual attendees alike.

The Detty December Edition also emphasizes the role of fashion in economic development. By creating a marketplace for designers and buyers, the festival supports small businesses, promotes entrepreneurship, and encourages investment in the creative sector. Emerging designers can showcase their work to a wide audience, while buyers gain access to unique collections that reflect African culture and creativity. This exchange not only generates revenue but also fosters a vibrant ecosystem for creative industries in Nigeria and across Africa.

Media coverage of AFWN has consistently highlighted its importance in promoting African design. Journalists, influencers, and bloggers provide global visibility for participating designers, helping to place African fashion on the international stage. AFWN 2025 continues this tradition, with media accreditation available for local and international reporters. Coverage of the event will help amplify the voices of emerging talents, showcase innovative designs, and attract attention from buyers and fashion enthusiasts around the world.

In addition to fashion, AFWN 2025 serves as a platform for networking and professional development. Workshops and panel discussions will address topics such as brand building, marketing, digital innovation, and sustainability. These sessions offer valuable insights for designers and creatives looking to expand their businesses, connect with collaborators, and stay informed about industry trends. By combining education, networking, and exposure, AFWN provides a comprehensive ecosystem for growth within the creative sector.

Volunteer opportunities at AFWN 2025 allow individuals to participate directly in the event while gaining hands-on experience in event management, fashion coordination, and media support. Volunteers will play a critical role in ensuring the smooth running of the festival and will have access to exclusive sessions, networking opportunities, and behind-the-scenes experiences. This involvement creates pathways for professional development and encourages engagement with Nigeria’s creative industries.

AFWN’s commitment to celebrating African culture extends beyond fashion alone. Through its cultural exhibitions, the festival highlights Nigeria’s heritage, traditions, and artistic achievements. From traditional attire to modern interpretations of cultural motifs, attendees can explore the rich diversity of African design. By placing fashion within a cultural context, AFWN fosters appreciation for the historical and social significance of clothing, patterns, and artistry.

Technology will also play a role in enhancing the festival experience. Digital showcases, live streaming of events, and online registration tools make the festival more accessible to audiences unable to attend in person. These digital elements expand AFWN’s reach, allowing global audiences to experience the festival and engage with African fashion from anywhere in the world.

AFWN 2025 promises a diverse range of fashion presentations. Designers will showcase collections that include traditional attire, modern streetwear, couture, and avant-garde designs. By embracing a wide spectrum of styles, the festival highlights the richness and versatility of African fashion. Attendees can expect to see bold designs, intricate craftsmanship, and creative storytelling that reflect the continent’s dynamic fashion landscape.

The festival also prioritizes inclusivity. Designers and participants from various backgrounds and regions across Africa are encouraged to contribute, ensuring that a wide range of voices and perspectives are represented. This inclusive approach strengthens the sense of community within the fashion industry and promotes cultural exchange among participants and audiences.

AFWN 2025 provides an excellent opportunity for buyers to discover emerging talent. By connecting with designers directly, buyers can access unique collections, negotiate partnerships, and place orders for upcoming seasons. This direct engagement fosters business growth and supports the development of a sustainable fashion market in Nigeria and across Africa.

The festival’s focus on creativity, culture, and commerce makes it a must-attend event for anyone interested in African fashion. Whether attending as a designer, buyer, volunteer, or fashion enthusiast, participants can expect an experience that combines learning, entertainment, and professional opportunity. AFWN 2025 demonstrates the power of fashion as a tool for cultural expression, economic development, and global recognition.

As the festival approaches, AFWN continues to provide updates through its website and social media channels. Detailed information on schedules, designer participation, volunteer opportunities, and media accreditation will be released in the coming weeks. Interested participants are encouraged to follow official channels for the latest news and ensure they register in advance to secure their spot at the festival.

In conclusion, Africa Fashion Week Nigeria 2025 promises to be a vibrant, engaging, and meaningful celebration of African fashion and culture. The Detty December Edition brings together designers, artists, buyers, and audiences to explore creativity, commerce, and cultural heritage. With interactive experiences, sustainability initiatives, cultural exhibitions, and a marketplace for emerging talent, AFWN 2025 offers something for everyone, from industry professionals to casual visitors.

By situating fashion within Lagos’s festive December calendar and a historically significant venue, the festival reinforces the importance of African creativity and its growing influence on the global stage. Whether attending in person or engaging digitally, participants can look forward to two days of inspiration, connection, and celebration of Africa’s rich fashion landscape.

Photo: Instagram/afwnigeria