GTCO Fashion Weekend Boosts Nigerian Entrepreneurs, Elevates Local Brands’ Visibility

GTCO Fashion Weekend Boosts Nigerian Entrepreneurs, Elevates Local Brands’ Visibility

By Oluwaseun Adeola Oluwole

The GTCO Fashion Weekend has reaffirmed its growing reputation as one of Africa’s most powerful platforms for fashion entrepreneurship and creative enterprise, giving small and emerging Nigerian brands the exposure needed to scale their businesses locally and internationally.

The two-day event, hosted in Lagos by Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), brought together designers, beauty innovators, and lifestyle entrepreneurs in a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and commerce.

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A Platform That Connects Creativity and Commerce

For many participants, the GTCO Fashion Weekend was not just an exhibition — it was an opportunity to connect with customers, meet investors, and grow brand awareness.

John, founder of North, a fashion brand focused on designing for Nigeria’s climate, said the experience was transformative.

> “It’s been great. We connected with new and existing clients who appreciated our brand,” he said. “GTCO’s platform is a great opportunity for small brands like ours.”

North is distinguished by its climate-conscious design philosophy, sourcing only linen, silk, and cotton fabrics that suit Nigeria’s tropical weather.

Empowering Women Through Fashion

Another exhibitor, Gozifego, who showcased her women’s fashion label for the first time at the event, said GTCO’s initiative gave her brand the exposure it had long needed.

> “Our philosophy celebrates the duality of women — the strength and softness that define us,” she said. “People came to shop, to give feedback, and many discovered our brand for the first time.”

Gozifego praised GTCO’s organization and urged government agencies to create similar platforms to help small business owners in other industries.

> “If exhibitions like this were held regularly, more brands would get the exposure they need to grow,” she added.

Scent of Innovation: Personalization Takes Center Stage

For Adam Scents, a bespoke perfume brand, the weekend offered a chance to showcase its interactive perfume bar concept, where customers could layer and create their own personalized fragrances.

> “People loved exploring scents and making their own blends,” the founder said. “The experience was incredible — we can’t wait to come back next year.”

The brand’s concept resonated with customers seeking personalized luxury experiences, reflecting a broader shift in Nigeria’s fashion and lifestyle market.

Veteran Designer Applauds GTCO’s Commitment

For Zo, CEO and Creative Director of We Fabrics Square Enterprises, this year marked her fifth appearance at GTCO Fashion Weekend.

> “I don’t know of any other exhibition where you get a free stall with this much foot traffic,” she said. “Events like this have given our brand immense exposure.”

She credited GTCO’s platform for helping her label, popularly known as Green Fabrics, become a household name.

> “Nigerians should support Nigerian brands,” she urged. “Being Nigerian is cool, and this event reminds us that our products are just as good as any imported brand.”

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Industry Perspective: A New Model for Corporate Impact

Experts say GTCO’s event represents a new model of corporate social investment, one that focuses on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises rather than merely sponsoring events.

Dr. Femi Adedoyin, an economist at the University of Lagos, described the initiative as “an enterprise development model that merges brand marketing with national economic empowerment.”

> “GTCO is building an ecosystem that allows creative entrepreneurs to scale. This is not just fashion — it’s local economic growth,” he noted.

Driving Local Industry Growth

Industry analysts estimate that Nigeria’s fashion sector could generate over $2 billion annually if initiatives like GTCO’s are sustained. By providing free stalls, global media exposure, and access to new markets, GTCO Fashion Weekend helps reduce entry barriers for local entrepreneurs.

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What’s Next

GTCO has hinted at plans to expand its creative enterprise initiatives beyond fashion to other industries such as beauty, art, and design — further cementing its role as a driver of innovation in Nigeria’s small business ecosystem.

As brands like North, Gago, Adam Scents, and We Fabrics continue to grow from the exposure gained at GTCO Fashion Weekend, the event stands out as a beacon of hope for Nigerian entrepreneurs, proving that local talent can thrive when given a world-class stage.