Why International Buyers Should Attend Fashion Weeks in Africa
This week we spoke to buyers from the US-based retailer Moda Operandi who, for the first time, were on the ground at Lagos Fashion Week.
Fashion week has traditionally been an important tool for securing key retail partners. Whether you’re showcasing in Copenhagen or New York, the goal is to get a return on investment by winning over new buyers and pleasing existing partners.
With Dakar Fashion Week kicking off next week (5 to 8 December), designers from around the continent once again have the opportunity to showcase their latest collections to an audience made up of press, buyers, and other key industry figures. However, when it comes to the major fashion weeks in Africa, there is still a notable absence of international buyers.
Connecting with regional and international buyers are equally as important for designers in Africa. “This is the point of doing runway shows, to me, because it enables us to get our creations out into the world and to new places and spaces,” said Lilabare founder Ria Ana Sejpal, who showcased her Spring/Summer 2025 collection last month at Lagos Fashion Week.