Fashion industry leaders gathered at the finale of Stitching the Future, a series on technology, artificial intelligence, and investment in African fashion, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Nigerian fashion brands. The event, held on October 27, 2026, featured a panel discussion and an evening gathering, and was produced by Black Girls in Tech Nigeria and TFB STUDIOS in partnership with FOLA. The discussion centered on the financial realities of building and growing fashion businesses in Nigeria.
The panel discussion, moderated by Naomi Williams and Misi Ogunlana, examined production costs, creative intellectual property, profitability, investment, and the challenges of expanding African fashion brands into international markets. The panelists included Kafilat Olamide Salisu, founder and CEO of Reign Advisory; Mimi Abudu, founder of MAJco; Ademidun Akindele, senior investment analyst at Octerra Capital; and Abimbola Osho, director and co-founder of The Indigo Collective Capital Ltd.
The panelists emphasized the need for fashion entrepreneurs to establish proper financial reporting systems, understand the purpose behind their businesses, and build partnerships with people whose skills complement theirs. Akindele advised founders to document their expenses, particularly when seeking external funding, while Salisu urged entrepreneurs to build partnerships with complementary skills. Abudu encouraged fashion entrepreneurs to plan ahead and establish the structures required to support business growth.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of intellectual property protection and ownership in attracting investment and building sustainable businesses. Williams emphasized that African fashion needed to be recognized not only for its creativity but also for its commercial value, and that protecting creative work and establishing ownership were necessary for designers to attract investment. Ogunlana noted that the industry needed to address the business structures and resources required for global competitiveness.
The evening session, The Tastemakers' Dinner, brought together designers, founders, creatives, and industry figures to explore the value of fashion ownership. The discussion examined how cost-per-wear, resale, and clothing rental could help consumers manage the value of their fashion purchases. Founder of Wdrbe, Favour Olawumi, and Denise Eseimokumoh announced the Icon Race: Runway to Icon Style Challenge, a wardrobe competition with a $20,000 grand prize.
The Icon Race challenge will reward participants for building digital wardrobes, creating outfits, recording how often they wear their clothes, and reselling underused items. Participants will earn Style Points and progress through three levels: Starter, Stylist, and Icon. The challenge is scheduled to launch on November 30, 2026, and will offer weekly and seasonal cash prizes. The Wdrbe team demonstrated its app, which allows users to catalogue their clothes, create outfits, and track their wardrobe use.
The finale concluded a series that began with discussions on the relationship between technology, AI, copyright, and fashion ownership in Nigeria and across Africa. The series aimed to promote stronger business structures, financial discipline, and intellectual property protection in the Nigerian fashion industry. The event provided a platform for industry leaders to share their insights and expertise, and to explore opportunities for growth and development in the sector.
Key points
- Nigerian fashion leaders call for stronger business structures and intellectual property protection to attract investment and compete in global markets.
- The Icon Race: Runway to Icon Style Challenge offers a $20,000 grand prize and aims to promote sustainable fashion practices.
- The Stitching the Future series aims to promote technology, AI, and investment in African fashion, and to provide a platform for industry leaders to share their insights and expertise.
