Lagos Fashion Week is back this year with a lineup of amazing designers from around the African continent showcasing their Spring/Summer 2022 collections.

Among these, the Sunlight brand has put together a collective with special designs from their Fashion Focus 2020 winners. The three designers; Adesola Falomo, Itunu Bamidele, Victoria Anosike and bring together their unique individual aesthetic and skill for a special Sunlight runway show on Day 3 of physical shows. This initiative aims to empower female entrepreneurs in the fashion industry by giving them grants and promoting the amazing work they do across platforms.

Ahead of the show, BellaNaija Style caught up with Victoria Anosike the Creative Director of Kwelaku formerly known as Kancky to talk about her journey so far, and the inspirations behind her designs that will be part of the Sunlight collection.

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BNS: Tell us about your brand
Victoria: Kwelaku is a premium Ready-To-Wear clothing line for women; employing tribal prints interpreted into chic functional silhouettes that can stand the test of time in terms of durability and style. We aim to do our part in sharing the African story through our prints and pieces; while striving to give our customers a luxury brand experience within the premium space and our employees an enjoyable working environment.

The Kwelaku woman has a deep appreciation for African culture & craftsmanship. She loves to make a statement, but never overt. My creativity and imagination are sparked by my immediate environment and the African continent as a whole.

BNS: How has the journey into fashion designing been?
Victoria: The journey so far has been nothing short of awesome, the funding came at a point when the world was at a standstill due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All we wanted was to expand our operations which in turn would enable us to create jobs thereby empowering our immediate community; so far, we’ve been able to achieve this and much more.

BNS: What are some of your expectations for today’s show?
Victoria: All thanks to Sunlight and the Style House Files team, it’s our first time showing, and it’s been a worthwhile experience prepping for show day; everything from sketching to sampling and then to final product has been truly eye-opening. I expect a well-thought-out event that would serve as not just a training ground, but a yardstick for what to expect in future fashion shows should the opportunity present itself. It’s LFW’s 10th year in the game and I look forward to all that the future holds for the organizers, designers, and indeed the Nigerian fashion industry as a whole.

BNS: Tell us a bit about what we will be seeing on the runway, the inspiration, and more
Victoria: Our collection is called ‘Sensations’ and the Sunlight brand inspired the color choices and naming of the pieces. For us the Sunlight woman is Cheerful, Clean, exudes Confidence, and is every bit a Boss Lady; simply put, she is “More than you Expect”. The silhouettes and prints employed in the collection were inspired by the Kancky brand, hence the use of geometric tribal prints and signature silhouettes that transcend seasons. We also played with vibrant solid colors to kind of create a balance and provide a range/options for our women.

BNS: What can we expect next from your brand?
Victoria: Our Harmattan 2021 capsule is to be put out this November and it’s our debut collection since our name change to ‘Kwelaku’. We’re also in the final stages of building our brand new e-commerce website for a seamless online shopping experience for our customers. Our first flagship store is set to be launched this December in Victoria Island, Lagos. Our pieces are also going to be stocked in a couple of spaces within Africa, and so much more.