Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) is expanding its support for Africa’s fashion and creative industries with the ninth edition of its annual Fashion Weekend, scheduled to take place in Lagos on November 7 and 8, 2026.
Beyond its established runway showcases and retail exhibitions, this year’s event will introduce a new year-round initiative designed to strengthen connections among fashion professionals, entrepreneurs and other players in the creative economy.
Tagged “Fashion Is Timeless,” the two-day event will hold at the GTCentre, Plot 1, Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Lagos, from 10am to 10pm daily. Attendance is free.
According to GTCO, the 2026 edition will provide a platform for fashion businesses to display their products, attract customers, exchange industry knowledge and explore opportunities for business expansion.
A major highlight of this year’s programme is the introduction of the GTCO Fashion Collective, an initiative designed to extend the impact of the Fashion Weekend beyond its annual gathering.
Announcing the development, GTCO Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, explained that the new platform would connect designers, models, stylists, photographers, editors, buyers, content creators and other professionals within the fashion value chain.
He said the initiative would create additional opportunities for the individuals and businesses driving Africa’s fashion industry to showcase their work, reach customers and develop sustainable enterprises.
Agbaje noted that fashion represents more than personal style, describing it as an expression of creativity and culture as well as an important source of enterprise and economic opportunities.
According to him, the event has, over the past nine years, evolved into a platform for discovering talent, sharing industry knowledge and connecting fashion businesses with new markets.
The 2026 programme will feature fashion and beauty masterclasses facilitated by international and local industry personalities, including fashion entrepreneur, model and digital creator Sherlina Nym, Rachel Ojuromi and Renee Morris, founder of natural hair brand Uncle Funky’s Daughter. Buttah Skin will also host a skincare masterclass.
The runway programme will bring together designers from Africa and other parts of the world, with collections scheduled across the two days.
Designers expected to feature on November 7 include Tongoro, FIA Factory, Ibrahim Fernandez, Washington Roberts, Maison Sara Chraibi and Imane Ayissi.
The second day will showcase collections from Sukeina, House of Marvee, Selam Fessahaye, Kim Shui, Ohlanna Bu Zikora and LaQuan Smith.
Retail entrepreneurs will also have an opportunity to connect directly with consumers through 140 carefully selected fashion stores offering products at accessible prices.
Another attraction will be the Streetwear Hub, a dedicated space highlighting contemporary fashion trends and youth culture.
Since its launch, GTCO Fashion Weekend has developed into a major consumer-facing fashion and enterprise platform, attracting designers, retailers, creative professionals, entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts.
With the introduction of the Fashion Collective, GTCO is seeking to extend that engagement into a continuous platform for collaboration, visibility and business development within Africa’s fashion ecosystem.
