International Womens Month: Celebrating the Power of Women
Lagos, long known for its vibrant creativity, has, in recent years, evolved into something even bigger - a cultural powerhouse. While the city has always had a vibrant creative pulse, its ability to unify and amplify diverse artistic communities has taken on new, BIG energy.
African fashion and creative industries have been riding a wave of global recognition, and Lagos stands at the forefront of innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity in fashion, design, and art. At the heart of this movement are three extraordinary women whose visionary leadership has helped elevate Lagos as a global hub for fashion, design, and art: the founders of Lagos Fashion Week, Lagos Design Week, and Art × Lagos.
Lagos Fashion Week: Omoyemi Akerele
Founded in 2011 by Omoyemi Akerele, Lagos Fashion Week has become one of Africa's most prestigious fashion events. A former lawyer, Akerele made the bold decision to shift her career toward fashion with the goal of putting African designers front and centre on the global stage. Through her tireless work, Lagos Fashion Week has evolved into a dynamic platform where Nigerian and African designers can showcase their talent and tell their stories to an international audience. Beyond the event itself, Akerele embodies her vision for the future of African fashion, often found on the streets of Instagram wearing the designs of local talents.
Under Akerele’s leadership, Lagos Fashion Week has expanded to showcase both emerging and established designers, with an emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and creativity. It has become a springboard for African talent, with Akerele playing a key role in transforming Lagos into a global fashion epicentre. Her work exemplifies how female visionaries are reshaping the African fashion landscape.
Design Week Lagos: Titi Ogufere
Founded in 2011 by Titi Ogufere, Design Week Lagos celebrates creativity in a broad range of design fields, including architecture, product design, interior design, and graphic design. Ogufere’s platform has provided Nigerian designers and innovators with a unique opportunity to connect with a global audience, all while promoting local craftsmanship and sustainable design practices. It has quickly grown into one of Africa’s leading design platforms.
Ogufere’s work highlights the interconnectedness of various design disciplines, promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration. Lagos Design Week fosters a dialogue between creatives, providing them with resources and visibility to push the boundaries of design. Through her leadership, Ogufere has helped position Lagos as a key player in global design conversations, proving how women in leadership roles are driving transformative change in the creative economy.
Art × Lagos: Tokini Peterside-Schwebig
Tokini Peterside-Schwebig is the visionary founder of Art × Lagos, an international contemporary art fair launched in 2016. The fair serves as a prominent platform to showcase African artists to the global market. With a mission to create a high-profile space for African contemporary art, Tokini has provided African artists with opportunities to exhibit their work to international collectors, curators, and institutions.
Peterside-Schwebig's work goes beyond organizing a successful art fair - she is a passionate advocate for African artists, fostering connections between the African art community and the rest of the world. Through Art × Lagos, she has empowered both emerging and established artists, helping them reach a broader global audience and facilitating important conversations around African culture and artistry.
The Impact of Female Founders on African Creative Industries
Lagos Fashion Week, Lagos Design Week, and Art × Lagos are not merely events - they are cultural movements, powered by visionary women who are committed to elevating Africa in the global creative economy. These platforms exemplify the power of women’s leadership in shaping the future of fashion, art, and design - both in Africa and across the world.
The stories of Omoyemi Akerele, Titi Ogufere, and Tokini Peterside-Schwebig demonstrate the critical role women play in the evolution of African fashion, design, and art. Their contributions extend far beyond business ventures; they are creating spaces that celebrate African creativity, drive economic growth, and initiate global dialogues about African culture.
This exceptional trio of female founders is an inspiring example of leadership in industries that have traditionally been male-dominated. Leadership in business is often seen through an agentic lens - assertive, directive, and confident, qualities typically associated with men. On the other hand, communal leadership emphasizes mutual support, equity, and relationship-building - traits often linked to women. While not wishing to stereotype, it is worth considering whether these communal qualities have contributed to their sustained success.
In each of their respective fields, these women have not only created platforms for visibility but also introduced the world to the vibrancy, diversity, and originality of African creativity. Their initiatives have paved the way for future generations of African talent to take control of their creative destinies, pushing boundaries and challenging norms along the way.
As women continue to rise to leadership positions in industries once dominated by men, the trio of Omoyemi Akerele, Titi Ogufere, and Tokini Peterside-Schwebig serves as a powerful symbol of what can be achieved when women lead. As Lagos solidifies its place as a cultural capital of the world, it is evident that these women have not only helped shape the city's creative landscape but have also been integral to the broader global conversation about African culture. Their achievements are a testament to the vital role women play in shaping the future of global creativity.