GTCO Fashion Weekend 2026 to Spotlight Authentic African Fabric Makers Through Fashion Collective
Over 100 indigenous textile producers to feature in new directory as more than 140 exhibitors prepare for two-day Lagos event
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that authentic African fabric makers and indigenous textile artisans will take centre stage at the ninth edition of GTCO Fashion Weekend, as Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) introduces the GTCO Fashion Collective, a year-round platform designed to connect fashion industry players, promote local enterprise and expand opportunities across the fashion value chain.
Scheduled for November 8 and 9, 2026, in Lagos, the two-day event will feature 12 runway shows, three masterclasses led by Renee Morris, Sherlina Nym and Rachel Ojuromi; more than 140 curated pop-up retail stores and a craft and fabric market, bringing together African and international designers, entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts.
Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO, Segun Agbaje, in a statement, said the introduction of the Fashion Collective represents the next phase in the group’s commitment to promoting enterprise and creating opportunities for the fashion industry beyond the annual event.
According to Agbaje, the platform will connect designers, models, stylists, photographers, editors, buyers, content creators and other professionals, sustaining conversations, commerce and collaboration long after the runway lights go down.
A major highlight of the initiative is the introduction of a Manufacturer and Textile Directory designed to give greater visibility to the artisans behind authentic African fabrics, including Aso-oke weavers, Adire dyers and other indigenous textile producers.
More than 100 fabric makers have been shortlisted for inclusion in the directory following visits to locations across the country recognised for local textile production. The initiative seeks to connect these often-overlooked producers with wider markets, helping them gain recognition, secure fairer value and benefit more directly from the commercial opportunities generated by the fashion industry.
Agbaje noted that the directory would help bring the people behind Africa’s authentic fabrics into sharper focus, providing a searchable resource for buyers, designers and other industry stakeholders while strengthening the connection between indigenous craftsmanship and the wider fashion economy.
The Fashion Collective is also expected to provide a year-round platform for industry players to build relationships, discover opportunities and develop collaborations beyond the annual showcase.
Oyinade Adegbite, at a press briefing, stated: “Beyond the runway, GTCO Fashion Weekend will retain one of its key attractions for entrepreneurs: retail exhibition spaces will remain free for all exhibitors, as in previous editions. The initiative is designed to give fashion businesses access to customers and market opportunities without the additional cost of paying for exhibition space.
“Over the past nine editions, GTCO Fashion Weekend has built a consumer-focused platform for fashion businesses to showcase their products, reach new customers and explore growth opportunities. Its recurring theme, Promoting Enterprise, reflects the group’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and creating experiences that connect businesses with their markets.”
With the Fashion Collective and its textile directory, the 2026 edition seeks to broaden the conversation around African fashion by drawing attention not only to the finished designs on the runway but also to the local producers, traditional skills and indigenous materials that underpin the industry.
