The recently concluded Epic Show 2025 by Fashions Finest Africa for two days spotlighted Africa’s boldest new voices in fashion while tackling real industry challenges.
Fashions Finest Africa (FFA) is a leading Pan-African platform dedicated to supporting new and emerging fashion creatives across the continent.
Held on July 5th and 6th at The Podium, Lekki, the event attracted a vibrant cross-section of designers, industry voices, culture leaders, and fashion enthusiasts all united by a shared commitment to shaping the future of African fashion.
Epic Show 2025 opened with inspiring panel conversations on funding, fashion business literacy, and sustainability bringing together thought leaders and fashion veterans to explore the systems needed to support African fashion beyond aesthetics.
The sessions featured voices from across sectors: Jide Sipe, Mai Atafo, The style infidel, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Dr. Yetty Ogunnubi, Abubakar Sanusi, Isaac John, Mabel Adeteye, Chidubem Ejezie and Dayo Nupo, each offering insight into the structural changes required for Africa’s fashion economy to thrive.
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From navigating the venture capital landscape to addressing the climate impact of production, the discussions made it clear: creativity needs structure, and talent must meet opportunity.
The runway shows that followed reflected the same intentionality. 31 emerging designers took to the stage, presenting collections that merged local identity with global appeal.
Each designer brought a fresh perspective from daring silhouettes to textile innovation, showing the depth of talent rising across the continent.
The show featured Nubik Attire, Nenysty Atelier, Tsmallz Apparel, The Vantage Gent, The Fleks Apparel, House of Gold, Millennial Apparel by Ruby, Jayred Fashion World, Lamide Official, Ria Kosher, Asotiay, The U & J Brand, Gozifego, Trendecais x Yunik, 31 Woman Elegante, De Sewar, Onye Duo Duo, Tailore Clothing, Roju Ascent, Sarai Imani Atelier, Gloria & Co, RR Dot Design, Kijipa Couture, Tresha Trendy, Craftman Bespoke, Mak Africa, AO Afriq, R, Herant, Diuz! Authentic and Stella London
Day 2 introduced one of the event’s standout moments: the Design for the Future (D4DF) competition, an initiative launched to spotlight visionary fashion talents at the start of their journey.
After a compelling runway showcase, the winning designer was awarded a ₦1 million grant and a closing slot at the grand finale showcase, a moment that earned a standing ovation from the crowd and marked a symbolic investment in Africa’s next generation of creatives.
High-profile personalities, including Queen Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, cultural ambassador and Queen of Ife, Mojibade Sosanya and media icon Frank Edoho, were in attendance at the grand finale, further affirming the platform’s credibility and wide-reaching cultural impact. Also present were respected industry figures like Mai Atafo and The Style Infidel, who offered guidance to the emerging designers backstage and lent their voices to panel conversations earlier in the programme.
Reflecting on the success of the show, Sola Oyebade, Founder of Fashions Finest Africa and CEO of Mahogany International, shared:
“What we witnessed over the last two days is the future of African fashion in real time. From our panelists to the designers, to the audience that showed up with energy and purpose, Epic Show 2025 reminded us that Africa is full of brilliance; it only needs the right platforms. That’s what FFA will always stand for.”
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In the vibrant world of fashion, few individuals have made as significant an impact as Oyebade, popularly known as Mr. Mahogany. He has been instrumental in creating opportunities for emerging talent in the fashion industry, not just in Nigeria, but across the entire continent.
With a career spanning over 15 years, Oyebade’s journey in the fashion world began in the UK, where he was part of London Fashion Week.
However, when he returned to Nigeria in 2013, he noticed a significant gap in the fashion landscape. “I realized that there were no shows for new and emerging talent,” he recalls. “All the shows were for the big boys and big girls in the fashion industry.” Determined to fill this gap, Sola set up Fashions Finest Africa, with a mission to provide a platform for new designers, makeup artists, hair stylists, models, and other industry professionals to gain experience and exposure.
Today, Fashions Finest Africa is a premier fashion event that showcases the best of African fashion to the world. With a rigorous selection process, Sola and his team carefully curate a lineup of designers who are passionate about their craft and dedicated to their business. “We get literally hundreds, if not thousands of people that want to be on it,” he says. “We have a selection team that sits down, looks at people’s designs, their Instagram, their social media. Are they serious about their business? How long have they been in it?”
One of the unique aspects of Fashion Finest Africa is its focus on sustainability. The “Design for the Future” competition, which is part of the event, encourages designers to reuse and recycle materials, with a prize of one million naira for the winner. “We’re trying to encourage the new set of designers, the young people out there, to go and reuse all of these clothes,” Sola explains. “Create new clothes, new outfits, and stuff.” This initiative not only promotes sustainability but also provides a platform for emerging designers to showcase their creativity and talent.
Oyebade’s vision for Fashions Finest Africa extends beyond just showcasing fashion. He wants to create a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about fashion and committed to excellence. “It’s not just about designers,” he says. “It’s about anybody that’s new in the fashion industry, so makeup artists, hair stylists, models, fashion illustrators, fashion designers. Anybody that’s trying to break into that fashion ecosystem, this is where we want them to come to.”
As Fashions Finest Africa continues to grow and evolve, Oyebade remains committed to his mission of empowering emerging talent in the fashion industry. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for innovation, he is determined to make Fashions Finest Africa a household name, not just in Africa but globally.
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“Lagos is the fashion capital of Africa. I don’t care what anybody says, South Africa used to be, nah, it’s Lagos, Nigeria now.” With Fashions Finest Africa, Oyebade is putting Lagos on the map as a hub for fashion and creativity, and his dedication to emerging talent is inspiring a new generation of designers and industry professionals.
The next edition of Fashions Finest Africa promises to be bigger and better, with a lineup of exciting events and showcases. As Sola looks to the future, he remains focused on his mission to empower emerging talent and promote sustainability in the fashion industry. With Fashions Finest Africa, Sola Oyebade is truly making a difference in the world of fashion.
Epic Show 2025 was a reminder that creative excellence on the continent is not in short supply. The event was produced by Mahogany International and made possible through the generous support of official partners Darling Hair, TEPS, and Mystic Beauty, whose contributions helped shape the energy, experience, and success of this year’s edition.
