Established in 2011, Fashion Focus (formerly known as Young Designer of The Year) was created to the growth and promotion of emerging talent in the fashion industry through mentoring and awarding a grant via the Fashion Focus Fund.

In partnership with FETS Wallet and Avivere, Fashion Focus presents unique opportunities for emerging talents to harness their skills through business development workshops, creative workshops, and mentorships with the aim to provide young designers with the tools they need to facilitate innovation, accelerate growth and achieve commercial success.

The Fashion Focus programme, which was previously open to only Nigerian talent is now taking applications from all over Africa.

Speaking on the new direction of Fashion Focus, Londe Thompson, Programme Director, Fashion Focus Africa & Fashion Focus City Tours stated:

“Opening up opportunities that the Fashion Focus programme offers to emerging talent across the continent is in line with our commitment to developing the African Fashion Industry. The vision is to provide a level playing field for African fashion talents to thrive within Africa and the rest of the world.”

Alumni of the Fashion Focus programme include Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Gozel Green, Iamisigo, Kenneth Ize, Maxivive, Meena, Orange Culture, and Sisiano.  In March 2018, 2017/18 Fashion Focus Finalist, Emmy Kasbit was the recipient of the Fashion Focus Fund. Emmy received a cash grant of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) to support his business.

Applications for the 2018/19 session are now OPEN! The application deadline is on the 14th September 2018

Application Criteria

  •     Designers must have a minimum of 2 years working experience
  •     Designers will be required to send moodboards and sketches of their work in addition to physical samples
  •     Designers must have existing points of sale
  •     Designers must be capable of developing and presenting a full collection

View and fill out application forms here: http://lagosfashionweek.ng

For any further enquiries or questions – [email protected]

To keep up to date with Fashion Focus City Tours, please visit our social media pages –@LagosFashionWeekOfficial and @StyleHouseFiles.

Heineken Lagos Fashion Week is proudly sponsored by Style House Files, Heineken, FETS Wallet, Fayrouz and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).