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Emerging fashion talents can now apply for Green Access 2026, Lagos Fashion Week’s flagship accelerator programme committed to advancing the future of African fashion
Green Access, Lagos Fashion Week’s flagship designer development programme, returns for its 2026 edition with a renewed call to emerging African designers to rethink the role of craft in shaping the future of fashion.
Following the launch of The Blueprint for a Regenerative Fashion Future Manifesto (The Manifesto), Green Access 2026 reinforces Lagos Fashion Week’s commitment to turning industry ambition into action. While The Manifesto outlines a shared framework for a more circular, resilient, and responsible global fashion industry, Green Access complements that work by ensuring emerging designers are supported as they build with the principles, knowledge, and practices. This will enable continuity across generations.
Since its launch in 2018, Green Access has become a cornerstone of Lagos Fashion Week’s commitment to advancing the circular economy in Africa. Created to spotlight and nurture designers embracing environmentally and socially responsible practices, the programme has supported a growing community of designers whose work continues to shape conversations around craftsmanship, contemporary African fashion and the circular fashion economy.
Alumni, including Ajanée, Cute Saint, Eso By Liman, Desiree Iyama, Garbe, Kadiju, Oshobor, Pepperrow, Pettre Taylor, and Y’wande, to name a few, have gone on to build distinctive brands recognised for their creativity, craftsmanship and forward-thinking approach to fashion.
Read also: Lagos Fashion Week presents Africa’s first manifesto for a regenerative fashion industry
Reimagining craft through collaboration and mentorship
Lagos Fashion Week Green Access 2026 poster via Style House Files This year’s theme, “Crafted in Practice: Reimagining Craft for a Circular Future”, challenges participants to rethink craftsmanship not simply as heritage to preserve, but as a practical solution for the future of African fashion. Through collaboration with artisans, local manufacturers and textile producers, participants will investigate how indigenous knowledge, material experimentation and circular design can shape collections fit for the future.
“Community has always been at the heart of African fashion. The Manifesto’s Community-Led Creation and Inclusive Prosperity pillar reflects that belief, and Green Access brings it to life by connecting emerging designers with artisans, manufacturers and creative partners across the value chain. Through these collaborations, we’re preserving knowledge, creating opportunities and helping build businesses that strengthen both local communities and the future of African fashion,”
Omoyemi Akerele, Founder and Executive Director, Lagos Fashion Week
Selected designers will embark on an intensive mentorship journey spanning research and storytelling, design development, circular design, craft and production, business development and communications. Alongside workshops, site visits, business clinics and prototype reviews, participants will work closely with artisan communities and industry experts to develop collections that reflect both creative excellence and sustainable thinking.
As part of this year’s programme, participants will also participate in a two-week textile workshop at the Kokrobitey Institute in Ghana. Bringing together textile practitioners and artists from across Africa, the workshop will provide hands-on learning in traditional textile techniques, contemporary practice and sustainable making, further strengthening participants’ understanding of African craft traditions and circular design principles.
Read also: Beyond the runway: How Lagos Fashion Week is powering Nigeria’s creative economy
What selected designers can expect and how to apply
The programme culminates at Lagos Fashion Week 2026, scheduled to take place from 28 October to 1 November. Each designer will present a capsule collection featuring a hero piece demonstrating craftsmanship innovation, supported by a material sourcing plan, sustainability impact statement and documented creative process.
Applications for Green Access 2026 open 21 July 2026 and close 16 August 2026. For more details, visit here or follow @lagosfashionweekofficial across social media platforms.
Read more: Marie Claire Nigeria Trend Report: Lagos Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026
React to this post!The post Lagos Fashion Week opens applications for Green Access 2026, challenging emerging African designers to reimagine craft for a circular future appeared first on Marie Claire Nigeria.
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