Nigeria’s rich textile heritage not only reflects its culture, but also makes it a major player in the global fashion industry. Nigeria’s textile tradition, where traditional textiles such as Aso Oke, Adire and Akwete serve as symbols of identity, history and craftsmanship, has enormous economic potential.
The country’s fashion sector accounted for 15% of sub-Saharan Africa’s $31 billion fashion market in 2015, and grew 17% between 2010 and 2019, according to Euromonitor.
In an effort to further spotlight this tradition, Wear Nigeria, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy (FMACCE), will host its inaugural runway show from November 8th to November 8th. I plan to. 10th, 2024.
The event, themed “Textiles as a Tool for Empowerment and Sustainability,” began with a symposium in Lagos State that brought together experts, government officials and industry leaders to explore the cultural and economic aspects of textiles in Nigeria. Discuss its importance. This will be followed by a two-day exhibition showcasing the work of fashion designers from around the world, particularly highlighting the creative potential of traditional Nigerian textiles, empowering local artisans and boosting the economy. The focus will be on the role of textiles.
In a press conference, Wear Nigeria Founder Austin Aimanku stressed the importance of supporting Nigeria’s textile industry. “We aim to shine a spotlight on aso oke, akwete and other fabrics, while promoting policies and investments that enable local artisans to expand their businesses,” Aymank said ahead of the runway. It added that symposiums and exhibitions will be held to foster dialogue on production, demand and industry challenges.
Fabrics such as the aso oke, traditionally worn by the Yoruba people, and the akwete, cherished by the Igbo people, have long symbolized social status and cultural identity. But these traditions are at risk of disappearing unless they evolve to fit the modern world. Recognizing this, the founder stressed that Wear Nigeria’s runway show is not only about celebrating, but also about reviving Nigeria’s textile heritage.
“We need national policies to support the textile industry,” Aymanc stressed, noting that with the right investments, weaving and dyeing processes can lead to important job creation.
Similarly, Soji Odedina, Group Managing Director, First Katalyst Marketing and Partner, Wear Nigeria, said of the transformative power of fashion: Fashion is the next frontier. We are sitting on a product that has the potential to change Nigeria’s economic destiny. ”
He called for greater investment in technology and infrastructure to support faster production of textile products. “We need the right tools to expand this industry and make Nigerian textile products globally competitive,” Odedina said. He also emphasized that the runway show is a platform to empower artisans and boost the local economy, saying, “Increasing the use of these fibers will create more demand, which in turn will lead to more That’s how we empower people.”
