50 designers, industry leaders set for 2026 Epic Fashion Week

Fashions Finest Africa is gearing up for its much-anticipated Epic Fashion Week 2026, a rebranded and expanded iteration of its previous "Epic Show." This year's event promises to be a significant platform for the African fashion industry, bringing together 50 prominent designers and key industry figures. Founder and producer Sola “Mr Mahogany” Oyebade announced during a virtual press conference that the event, scheduled for May 22-24 at The Podium in Lekki, Lagos, will serve as a crucial nexus for buyers, media professionals, investors, and fashion enthusiasts.

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So for this year’s edition, we put together an extraordinary lineup of experiences and opportunities. You should expect more than just beautiful collections on the runway; you will, of course, see some very creative stuff. We’ve got some amazing designs.

Mr Mahogany highlighted that the selection criteria for the 50 featured designers prioritized strength and clarity of design identity, innovation, originality, business readiness, growth potential, and the ability to translate creative ideas into market-ready collections. This meticulous selection process underscores the event's commitment to showcasing talent that is not only creative but also commercially viable and poised for growth. Beyond the runway presentations of "creative stuff" and "amazing designs," the week is designed as a structured ecosystem. This ecosystem aims to provide emerging designers with more than just visibility; it offers industry access and long-term development opportunities, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation within the creative sector.

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What would I say the criteria were that were used in selecting the 50 designers that have been featured this year? We place a strong emphasis on the strength and clarity of design identity. On level of innovation and originality, business readiness, growth potential and ability to translate ideas to market-ready collections.

What sets Epic Fashion Week apart, according to Mr Mahogany, is its evolution into a comprehensive platform for talent development. It's not merely a showcase but a "real ecosystem where talent can grow, be seen, and connect to opportunities that move them forward." This approach directly addresses the need for scalable structures that can help African fashion, which is rich in creativity, gain global recognition and be taken seriously on an international level. The event's commitment to offering free access further broadens its community reach, making it more inclusive. This initiative, coupled with the D4DF (Design for the Future) sustainability and development-focused arm, reflects a holistic vision for the future of African fashion, positioning it for significant global impact.

“

So for this year’s edition, we put together an extraordinary lineup of experiences and opportunities. You should expect more than just beautiful collections on the runway; you will, of course, see some very creative stuff. We’ve got some amazing designs.