AFWN 2025: Bringing the Naija December Experience to the Runway

Mary Nnah

The lights were blinding, the music was pulsating, and the runway was set ablaze with the most vibrant and talented designers from across Africa. The 11th edition of Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) 2025 was a resounding success, bringing together the crème de la crème of the fashion industry to celebrate African creativity and innovation. Themed “The Naija December Experience,” the two-day event took place on December 20-21, 2025, at the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture & History in Lagos, and it was an unforgettable experience.

The event showcased the diversity and richness of African fashion, with over 30 talented designers from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and beyond. From the opulent luxury of CHARMS-XVI to the vibrant Afrodiscoqueens of RTW by Teetee, each collection was a masterclass in creativity and style. The runway was a kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and designs that highlighted the continent’s rich cultural heritage. The audience was wowed by the stunning designs, and the energy in the room was electric. The event was a testament to the power of African fashion, and its ability to bring people together and transcend borders.

As Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, the founder of Africa Fashion Week Nigeria, reflected on the event, she smiled with pride. “The Naija December Experience is more than just a fashion event,” she said. “It’s a celebration of African creativity, innovation, and style. It’s a platform for emerging designers to showcase their talent and creativity, and it’s a catalyst for economic growth and cultural exchange.”

Queen Ronke explained that AFWN acts as a springboard for emerging designers, providing them with a platform to showcase their talent and creativity. “Every year, we have different designers from across Africa,” she said. “So, as you’ve seen on the runway today, so many designs that you have never seen before. Because most times, this is their first time showcasing. So, like I said, we act as a springboard. And we know that for creativity to grow, there must be a platform that showcases this growth. And a lot of them start from us.”

AFWN has a long history of nurturing emerging designers, and many of its alumni have gone on to make a name for themselves in the fashion industry. The platform provides a safe space for designers to experiment, take risks, and push the boundaries of fashion. It’s a place where creativity knows no bounds, and where the best of African fashion is showcased to the world.

As AFWN looks to the future, Queen Ronke shared her vision for expanding the platform. “We’ve been expanding it,” she said. “We have 15 years of African Fashion Week London. 11 years of African Fashion Week Nigeria. 2 years of African Fashion Week Brazil. We intend to go to Ghana, South Africa, different parts of Africa. Because our creativity, the creativity that comes out of Africa, is like a bottomless pit. You keep on digging, digging, and you just don’t know what you’re going to get.”

With a clear vision and a passion for promoting African creativity, AFWN is set to continue its mission of empowering the next generation of fashion designers. The platform will continue to provide a space for emerging designers to showcase their talent, and for fashion enthusiasts to experience the best of African fashion. As the event comes to a close, it’s clear that African fashion is here to stay, and Lagos will always be at the heart of it