…Insist Lagos stand tall in the global fashion Scene

By Efe Onodjae

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has expressed his excitement about the ongoing collaboration with the French government, over the success of Nigerian fashion talents trained in Paris.

Speaking at the launch of the second edition of the Lagos x Paris Accelerator Programme, Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu who was represented by the Commissioner for Tourism,Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka thanked the French Embassy for nurturing young Nigerian talent, while noting that Lagos is poised to stand tall in the global fashion scene.

Recall that the French Embassy in Nigeria had launched the maiden edition of the Lagos x Paris Fashion and Design Accelerator, a nine-month program running from October 2023 to June 2024, aimed at supporting 10 high-potential Nigerian brands within the fashion and design ecosystem.

She said, “It’s unbelievable that this is coming out of Lagos. I particularly want to thank the French government and the French Embassy for actually nurturing these young talents and taking them all the way. I was informed they’ve been in Paris, they’ve done the training, they’re part of a major group, and there’s more to come. I’m very happy about the collaboration, and I’ve been promised that this is just the beginning. There is so much more to come.”

On his part, Ambassador of France to Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Marc Fonbaustier, noted that although the 2023 cohort had 10 beneficiaries and the 2024 cohort also includes 10 brands, the embassy prioritizes quality over quantity. He said, “I prefer 10 successes to millions of failures.”
“After a highly successful first edition that delivered a year of training and mentorship to 10 Nigerian brands—Eki Kéré, Lagos Space Programme, TJWHO, Obida, Elexiay, Waf., Maliko, Ethnik Africa, Omi Collective, and Aga Culture—helping them sharpen their business strategies, the program has been renewed for another year.

“Key program features include an in-depth audit of each brand, up to 70 hours of personalized one-on-one mentorship, comprehensive training to prepare for investor pitches, opportunities to showcase products in Paris, and grants of up to 32 million Naira. These grants have allowed the brands from the first cohort to create new collections, train their teams, invest in marketing, improve their e-commerce platforms, and establish new studio spaces.

“The 10 new brands selected for the 2024-2025 cohort were chosen from a pool of 100 applications by a professional jury.“

Speaking with one of the selected members of the participants, Dolapo Morgan, founder of the jewelry brand Refine, she said: “As a lifestyle jewelry brand based in Nigeria, I got into the program this year, and I’m really excited to be part of this cohort. I’m looking forward to meeting the experts who will help me improve my brand. The opportunity to export to France is something I’ve always wanted, and getting into the program is the ideal route to enter that market.”