Entertainment Week Africa's Runway Coterie

EWAfrica returned with the second edition of its fashion presentation. Formerly known as Entertainment Week Lagos and now rebranded as Entertainment Week Africa, this year’s Runway Coterie spotlighted 18 Nigerian designers. While the new name suggests a broader continental reach, the showcase remained largely Lagos-centric; delivering a blend of familiar collections, standout newcomers, and a snapshot of where the Lagos creative ecosystem currently sits.

With the shift from “Lagos” to “Africa,” there is now a clearer expectation for wider continental representation. This year’s lineup worked, but it also underscored the opportunity for future editions to expand beyond Lagos-based voices and begin reflecting the diversity implied in the rebrand.

This isn’t a flaw, just a visible gap. A foundational step, not yet the full continental expression the new name confidently hints at.

Korede James: A Clean, Intentional Opening

The collection of all-white looks made for a striking opener that was minimal, calm, and confidently structured. It felt like a blank canvas setting the mood before the night’s energy began to rise.

Nex by Necca: A Rare Lingerie Moment

Lingerie is still uncommon on African runways, which made this presentation refreshing. The Victoria’s-Secret-style wings and statement pieces added theatricality in a way that felt deliberate and entertaining.

PK Crochet: Knitwear With an Edge

A strong knitwear offering featuring experimental yarns, gold accents, and tactile construction. The work balanced craft and modernity with familiar techniques pushed into more expressive territory.

Estaz – Raw, Earthy Direction

Jute and raffia formed the backbone of this collection, creating an earthy, grounded aesthetic. A simple but distinctive exploration of texture and craft.

Standout Presentations & Memorable Moments

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the images used in this post. Image sourcesJAE PHOTOGRAPHY NG

Some designers showed collections previously seen at major fashion weeks:

David Black – shown earlier at Lagos Fashion Week; JZO – also seen at Lagos Fashion Week; Sevon Dejana – presented at both Lagos Fashion Week and GTCO Fashion Weekend. However even in this new context, their work held its place within the coterie’s narrative.

Kamsi Tcharles delivered something that felt new while still sitting comfortably within the brand’s identity particularly the printed suiting the brand is known for. A refreshed continuation, not a departure.

Revisited Collections & New Expressions

Scqueeze by Sheye Oladejo was one of the evening’s most pleasant surprises. The striped woven fabric looked almost like peeking into a jar of colourful candy; a playful, bright, but with visible craftsmanship.

WILO by OZIK was a joyful, cinematic burst of colour. The striped prints and lively palette created a world that felt somewhere between Barbie and Willy Wonka;whimsical without losing structure.

Nitemi showcased beadwork, weaving, and ultra-feminine silhouettes. Soft, intentional, and rooted in handcraft. Samuel Cray's presentation was defined by clean tailoring and strong structure. Confident, precise, and consistently executed. Benard Samuel's showcase featured a textile-driven approach featuring dyed fabrics, batik-style letter prints, and woven textiles mimicking block-print typography. A thoughtful study of pattern and surface.

ASO closed the night with a dramatic, flamboyant presentation of bold fabrics, theatrical silhouettes, and the type of energetic runway moment that feels like a proper celebration of a stylish lady in her happy place. A fitting end to the evening.

Additional Highlights

Final Thoughts

The Runway Coterie is a meaningful platform that is curated, accessible, and rich in creative expression. With the rebrand to Entertainment Week Africa, expectations inevitably rise. Yet this edition remained Lagos-focused, spotlighting only local designers without expanding into the broader African context the new name implies. The potential is enormous, and the next step is clear: match the “Africa” in the name with representation that spans the continent.

For now, this edition delivered a vivid snapshot of Lagos fashion energy; a look at the intentional, expressive, personality-filled fashion scene that continues to anchor Africa’s creative landscape.