You’ve heard of Paris Fashion Week. You’ve heard of New York Fashion Week. And while there’s no denying these shows are the epicenter of fashion and a spectacle depicting unrestrained imagination from designers across the globe, if you’re missing out on the Guaranty Trust Fashion Weekend, you’re really only seeing the tip of the iceberg.
Guaranty Trust Fashion Weekend is a boundary-pushing two-day event renowned for being a prominent platform for elevating Africa’s finest designing talent. Here, onlookers can not only witness unforgettable masterpieces ranging from traditional pieces to more modern aesthetics but also purchase these passionate, innovative, and fashion-forward creations.
The GTCO is one of those electrifying events you won’t want to miss. But in case you accidentally forgot to buy your front-row ticket to the future of African style, don’t panic – we’re taking a deep dive into the standout moments from the Guaranty Trust Fashion Weekend 2024.
What is the Guaranty Trust Fashion Weekend?
The Guaranty Trust Fashion Weekend was founded in 2016 with the sole purpose of showcasing African designers and small businesses. It swiftly became a podium for Africa’s finest to proudly display their talents to a broader audience, which is why the GTCO has continued to hold groundbreaking events yearly—and 2024 was no exception.
This year, the GTCO took place on November 9th and 10th in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. The event drew a tremendous crowd looking to indulge in unforgettable creations by top African designers.
Aside from being a stage for awe-inspiring pieces and collections, GTCO is also a one-stop place for educational masterclasses delivered by high-end and renowned leaders in the fashion industry. These classes focus on presenting game-changing information to designers, new and old, focusing on ways to build their brands, indulge in sustainable fashion choices, and beyond.
Top Three Designers at Guaranty Trust Fashion Weekend
There’s no denying that one of the biggest draws—if not the number one event during GTCO—is the exhilarating runway show. During these shows, the audience is treated to a compilation of cutting-edge styles and revolutionary designers who fuse art and unimpeachable craftsmanship.
And while plenty of top-notch designers showed their remarkable talents on the runway, these three were touted as offering some of the most visionary and unforgettable styles:
Hue by Idera
Idera Oyeneyin is known for being a Nigerian fashion designer who got her start in New York as a stylist and quickly upped the ranks to earn “Top Designer” by This Day Style. She is the founder of Hue by Idera, a brand known for classy, handcrafted items that burst with fabulous, eye-catching colors and unique texture combinations.
This year, Idera focused on visually striking colors and color combinations, which she’s become well-known for in the industry. She paired these head-turning hues with luxurious fabrics to create pieces that were nothing short of majestic. She blended structured silhouettes with more flowy and relaxed pieces, all paying homage to tradition while embracing modernity.
Ituen Basi
For those obsessed with Ankara fabrics and beautiful patterns, the focal point of this year’s GTCO is none other than Ituen Basi, founded by Iteun Bassey. This brand has always been iconic for its push toward femininity featuring Ankara fabrics, and it’s garnered worldwide attention. From features in publications such as Vogue Italia to winning the 2009 Most Innovative Designer, it’s clear that Ituen Bassey is a name in the fashion game that won’t soon be pushed to the side.
For the GTCO runway 2024, Ituen Base focused on jaw-droppingly bold prints and intriguing cuts to create truly revolutionary styles we’ve not yet seen before. Each look was entirely different from the last, yet all were committed to showcasing Ankara prints in new and exciting ways.
Gert-Johan Coetzee
Gert-Johan Coetzee was another memorable figure on the GTCO runway. Although he is a decorated designer with plenty of awards and publications, including winning the High Fashion Award before graduation in 2004 and being a mentor on Project Runway South Africa 2018, he proved that he could continue to wow well into the 21st century with his astonishing runway pieces. For GTCO 2024, he created dramatic silhouettes featuring all the bells and whistles, including some theatrical accessories and embellishments that will be talked about for years to come.
Needless to say, Gert-Johan Coetzee proved why he’s referred to as the “Couturier to the Stars” in South Africa and is the go-to for red-carpet designs from celebrated figures like Oprah Winfrey, Tiwa Savage, Kelly Rowland, and Cardi B. His designs have also been seen in other major events, including The SA Music Awards, Miss World, and The Durban July Handicap.
Masterclasses By the Best in the Biz
Although the inevitable highlight of Guaranty Fashion Weekend is the Runway Show, the educational and empowering masterclasses deserve a spotlight of their own. These masterclasses allow fashion designers of all stages and niches to learn and grow their business.
This year, several high-end and acclaimed speakers made an appearance, sharing their illuminating knowledge with the crowd. One stand-out woman, in particular, is none other than celebrity makeup artist Sheika Daley, who spent a good portion of her time celebrating Nigerian skin tones and her excitement to work with these beautiful people. She said, “I see myself working with Nigerians because my goal is to come to Nigeria. I have been driving through the streets and just looking at all the different tones and complexion and it is so beautiful.”
Alongside Daley was a slew of other honorable orators, including Hollywood hairstylist Ted Gibson and Lulu Kennedy, founder and director of Fashion East & MAN and the Lulu & Co clothing line. She had this to say: “I am open to working with African young fashion designers. It is not something we have done before. There may be some logistics and funding problems, but maybe we can do this through the right partnership with GTCO.”
GTCO Fashion Weekend: A Dazzling Celebration of Style and Innovation
It’s clear: GTCO harnessed a population of extraordinary African designers who showcased their unbelievable talents in fashionable ways you have to believe. That said, you won’t want to miss next year’s event! Stay tuned to find out the latest dates and locations for the 2025 show – you won’t want to miss it.
Who were your favorite designers at GTCO?
