Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria, under the leadership of Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, continues to strengthen its mission of promoting African textiles and indigenous fashion on the global stage. A recent high-level meeting held with Mr. Johnny Baxter, the Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Nigeria, served as a key moment in advancing this agenda. Supported by the Osun State Government, the discussion focused on the global future of Adire fabric and the broader African fashion movement.
This latest initiative builds on a strategic engagement held earlier in the year aimed at enhancing the international visibility of Adire and supporting African fashion creatives. Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, the founder of Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria, emphasized that these initiatives demonstrate a deep commitment to positioning Africa—particularly Nigeria—as a global hub for heritage-inspired innovation in the fashion sector.
The meeting featured important stakeholders, including Mr. Baxter and Hon. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the Lagos State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism. They discussed the importance of cultural diplomacy and the use of international platforms to highlight Adire as a key symbol of Nigeria’s rich textile legacy. The conversation also explored strategic avenues through which African fashion could be elevated and more widely appreciated across the globe.
Several collaborative opportunities were brought to the fore, as Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria seeks to partner with influential institutions. With the British Museum, talks are ongoing to curate a special Adire collection, aiming to spotlight the fabric’s deep cultural and historical roots. Simultaneously, potential cultural partnerships are being explored with Disney’s The Lion King production in London, to integrate African fashion elements into global entertainment narratives.
Academic collaborations are also being pursued. Manchester Metropolitan University and Winchester School of Art are in discussions with Africa Fashion Week to develop heritage-inspired catwalk projects and support emerging talent from the African continent. Meanwhile, the London School of Economics (LSE) is working with the organization on research that examines the intersection of fashion, culture, and economic development across Africa and the global diaspora.
According to Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, these partnerships are designed to not only bring African fashion to international runways but also to strengthen the ecosystem that supports new designers and heritage-based innovation. Through global exposure, research, and institutional support, Adire and other traditional African textiles are being positioned as cultural assets with significant global relevance.
Looking ahead, Africa Fashion Week London 2025 is set to take place at the iconic Space House in London, where Adire and other indigenous African textiles will be featured prominently. In addition, the Indigo Textile Event in Nigeria is being planned as a celebration of both traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.
Africa Fashion Week is also working closely with the state governments of Osun, Lagos, and Ogun to build sustainable platforms for promoting Adire and traditional textiles on both domestic and international fronts. These alliances are considered vital to ensuring long-term support for textile artisans and growing the cultural economy rooted in African heritage.
Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to global fashion leadership, stating that their collective efforts are driven by the vision of establishing African fashion—and Adire in particular—as an influential force in the global style and design landscape. With these growing partnerships and strategic projects, Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria is positioning itself to leave a lasting mark on the global fashion industry.
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