Lagos x Paris pop-up store: Showcasing creativity, craftsmanship of Nigerian fashion scene
From streetwear to ready to-wear menswear and womenswear, accessories, and leather goods, each piece on display at the Lagos x Paris” pop-up store reflected the creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship of the Nigerian fashion scene.
Whether you’re searching for bold street style, sophisticated womenswear, or elegant leather goods, there’s something to capture every visitor’s imagination at the recently concluded Forum Création Africa.
Organised by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, with MansA – Maison des Mondes Africains in charge of editorial and artistic direction, the Forum Création Africa provided a unique platform for dialogue and experimentation, where the stories and economic models of tomorrow emerge.
Held at Federal Palace Hotel Lagos, the pop-up store was also enhanced by showcasing some of the pieces digitally in virtual reality, through a collaboration with Nigerian project Astra: a gamified virtual world for fashion retail.
The Lagos X Paris Pop-Up presents a carefully curated selection of brands that have participated in the prestigious LAGOS x PARIS – Fashion & Design Accelerator Programme.
This programme with a 360° curriculum, lasting 9 months to 1 year, brings together the best of French and Nigerian expertise, fostering sustainable growth for the selected Nigerian fashion and design brands and propelling them internationally.
The initiative, launched and developed by the French Embassy in Nigeria in 2023 under the Création Africa Fund, has successfully gathered, trained, and nurtured some of the most promising fashion and design brands from Nigeria across two editions.
Mathilde Lepert, Programme Manager for the Lagos X Paris Fashion and Design Accelerator, highlighted the significance of the pop-up store, saying, “The Lagos X Paris pop-up store is a curated selection of 16 Nigerian brands that took part in the Lagos X Paris Fashion Accelerator programme, financed by the French Embassy through the Creation Africa Fund. We are part of the Creation Africa family, and that’s why we are here in the Creation Africa Forum, showcasing Nigerian brands to an international audience and offering them the opportunity to purchase Nigerian products and take home a piece of Nigerian culture.”
Lepert emphasized the benefits of the Accelerator programme, which provided intense training sessions, masterclasses, and workshops with international experts.
“The programme helps brands structure their businesses, position themselves in the market, and pitch their brands to investors. It’s a comprehensive programme that equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the global fashion industry.”
Austin Aimankhu, fashion designer and founder of Wear Nigeria, a Fashion Arts Festival celebrating Nigeria’s vibrant textile and cultural diversity, represented the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Industry at the Forum Création Africa.
Aimankhu showcased his collection, which featured a fusion of traditional Nigerian textiles, saying, “We have guests from all over Africa and Europe, and we’re here to showcase our fashion aesthetics, our textiles, and our cultural heritage. My collection features a mix of Akwete from the East, Ashoke, and other traditional textiles from the middle belts. We’re fusing these textiles to create contemporary designs that reflect our cultural identity.”
He emphasised the importance of promoting Nigerian fashion and textiles, saying, “We’re here to showcase our aesthetics, to share our story, and to demonstrate the richness of Nigerian textiles. Our advocacy has been strong, and we’re proud to be part of this movement to promote Nigerian fashion and culture.”
The pop-up store featured a diverse range of brands, including Waf. (Streetwear), Elexiay (Womenswear), Refine (Jewelry), Pepper Row (Womenswear), AABOUX (Bags), Maliko (Shoes & Bags) Y’Wande (Womenswear), Aga Culture (Womenswear), Aminda (Womenswear), Babayo (Womenswear), Omi Collective (Design), Eki Kere (Womenswear and Menswear), Pith (Streetwear), NYA (Womenswear), and Obida (Womenswear and Menswear), amongst others.
