Fashion, Beauty Entrepreneurs Applaud GTCO for Consistency, Robust Platform
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that fashion, beauty, and lifestyle entrepreneurs who exhibited at the recently concluded GTCO Fashion Weekend have commended the Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) for its consistency in empowering small businesses and providing an enabling platform for enterprise to thrive.
The excited exhibitors praised GTCO for creating opportunities that allow business owners to showcase and sell their products, connect with customers, and gain exposure—all without paying for exhibition stands. They noted that the atmosphere was vibrant and rewarding, featuring a rich mix of Masterclasses, global fashion icons, runway shows, an expansive exhibition arena, tight security, and a large, engaging crowd. Many described the two-day event as a fulfilling experience for entrepreneurship in Africa.
Now in its eighth edition, GTCO Fashion Weekend has grown into the largest fashion, beauty, and lifestyle fair in Africa, promoting creativity, culture, and commerce under the theme “Fashion Is Freedom.”
Among those who spoke on the sidelines was Aisha Busta, founder of MeCharm, a bead bag and accessories brand known for its unique bead infusions. She launched her business during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and has since sold over 4,000 bags globally, reaching markets in Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Ireland, China, Ghana, Benin Republic, Senegal, and Afghanistan.
Speaking on her experience, Busta said it was her first time exhibiting at GTCO Fashion Weekend, and the response was overwhelming.
“Most of my buyers were new customers who discovered MeCharm for the first time. The feedback was amazing, and people connected immediately with the brand,” she said.
She described MeCharm’s appeal as “affordable luxury”, offering bold, uniquely shaped bead bags that serve as statement pieces inspired by traditional beadwork and modern fashion.
Busta also urged government agencies to emulate the GTCO model.
“Platforms like this are vital for small businesses. They help us gain visibility, connect with customers, and tell our stories. The government should replicate this kind of initiative nationwide,” she said.
John John, founder of Noir Collectives, a men’s fashion brand, also lauded GTCO for “its innovation and genuine commitment to enabling enterprises.”
Similarly, Chiazor Ejekam, founder and creative director of Buifabrics, a luxury fabric brand established in 2015, expressed gratitude for the exposure and opportunities the event provides.
“It’s always a great experience at GTCO Fashion Weekend. The stalls are free—I don’t know of any other event that offers that. The ambience is fantastic, the crowd massive, and the exposure priceless,” she said.
Ejekam, who is also a corporate lawyer, added that her brand has become a household name partly because of platforms like GTCO Fashion Weekend.
“It’s time Nigerians support Nigerian brands. We have amazing local designers and quality products. It’s no longer about buying foreign; it’s about believing in our own,” she said.
The coordinator of Adams Scent, a perfume oil brand, also applauded GTCO for the opportunity to connect directly with customers in Lagos, noting that the brand focuses on personalised scents and luxury fragrances.
Organised by the Segun Agbaje-led GTCO Group, the annual event continues to position Nigerian creativity on the global stage, merging fashion, enterprise, and innovation. Through initiatives like this, GTCO reinforces its commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and showcasing African excellence to the world.
