From left: Mr Wale Adebajo Senior Political Adviser, Political Unit British high commission Lagos, Miss Abosede Shafe, Project Manager and Pr for African Fashion Week London and Nigeria, Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. John Baxter, Mrs Toke benson Awoyinka Lagos State Commissioner for tourism Art and Culture, Mrs Abiola Adelana, Head of Consultancy Africa Fashion Weeks London and Nigeria.
By Yemisi Suleiman
In line with its ongoing mission to promote African textiles and indigenous fashion globally, Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria, led by Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, recently convened a high-level meeting with Mr. Johnny Baxter, the Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Nigeria. The discussion centered on the future of Adire and the broader African fashion movement.
This engagement, supported by the Osun State Government, builds on a strategic meeting held earlier this year aimed at enhancing the international visibility of Adire textiles and empowering African creatives. These ongoing efforts according to Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, Founder of Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria reflects a commitment to positioning Africa, particularly Nigeria as a global center for heritage-driven innovation in fashion.
During the meeting, key stakeholders, including Mr. Baxter and Hon. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the Lagos State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, engaged in discussions about cultural diplomacy and leveraging international platforms to elevate Adire as a symbol of Nigeria’s rich textile heritage.
Several collaborations were highlighted at the meeting, with Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria exploring collaborations with several influential institutions, including the:
British Museum: Where active conversations are underway to curate a dedicated Adire collection, which will bring global attention to the fabric’s deep cultural and historical significance.
- Disney’s The Lion King (London): Exploring cultural partnerships that incorporate African fashion into global entertainment narratives.
- Manchester Metropolitan University & Winchester School of Art: Discussions are ongoing regarding collaboration on heritage-inspired catwalks and support for emerging African fashion talent.
- London School of Economics (LSE): A partnership is being developed to research the intersection of fashion, culture, and economics in Africa and its global diaspora.
“These partnerships aim to showcase Adire and African fashion globally, support emerging talent, and research the intersection of fashion, culture, and economics in Africa,” says Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi.
Upcoming events include Africa Fashion Week London 2025, which will be hosted at the iconic Space House, showcasing Adire and other indigenous African textiles on an international runway. Additionally, the Indigo Textile Event in Nigeria will celebrate African textile traditions and contemporary creative expression.
Africa Fashion Week is also fostering strategic partnerships with the Osun, Lagos, and Ogun State Governments to collectively promote Adire and traditional textile industries on both local and global platforms.
As Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi noted, “We are committed to advancing Adire and African fashion on the global stage, and these partnerships will help us achieve our mission.”
With these efforts, Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria is poised to make a lasting impact on the global fashion industry.
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