Lanre Da Silva has collaborated with designers to support sustainable fashion and provide a platform for showcasing new season collections. These designers, possessing various skills and focus areas, interpret culture and design in different ways, while supporting small-scale local producers.
The LDA Runway Renaissance is an initiative aimed at supporting emerging designers and promoting eco-friendly fashion practices. This platform features three designers from diverse backgrounds who focus on sustainability and exceptional craftsmanship. These designers highlight the stories that influence the continent’s fashion ecosystem with an emphasis on social responsibility while maintaining style and quality.
The Lanre Da Silva Ajayi (LDA) Runway Renaissance – Meet the Featured Designers:
Adebukola Adeogun
Adebukola Adeogun is a fashion enthusiast, advocate for girls and women, and serial entrepreneur with a BSc in Economics from Lagos State University. She merges fashion creativity with business acumen through various initiatives focused on entrepreneurship, youth engagement, and economic empowerment and advancement. Adebukola is the founder of Bukola Neville Limited, Fabrithread Cycle Limited, and the SLY Impact Foundation which supports the Sustainable Development Goals. The collection “Neville Dechets” was inspired by the concept of rebirthing from refuse – the harmony of new and waste, a beacon of conscious fashion. Each piece crafted from reclaimed materials whispered tales of transformation and hope where creativity has breathed life into waste.
Ugochukwu Onukwubiri
Ugochukwu Onukwubiri is a stylist and Creative Director of 1407Style – an androgynous Nigerian brand established 14 years ago. The brand addresses accessible and affordable pieces which would stand the test of style and time and so most of the pieces are created with high-quality eco-friendly fabric to ensure the wearers’ comfort. Over the years, the brand has adopted a sustainability approach using upcycled fabric to produce one-of-a-kind garments.
The collection LIFE reflects the diverse perspectives through which individuals experience life. It questions whether one perceives things in binary terms, such as good or bad, right or wrong, or acknowledges the complexities and nuances.
Abisoye Olorunnimbe
Abisoye Olorunnimbe is a visionary entrepreneur and Creative Director of HUE. With over ten years of experience sourcing unique fabrics worldwide, her expertise encompasses traditional Nigerian textiles, luxury haute couture fabrics and bespoke designs. A University of Manchester Law graduate, Abisoye expanded her creative pursuits, establishing a renowned retail fashion label and small batch production company in Lagos. She balances business with family life and enjoys playing tennis. The collection Blossom features bold, vibrant prints in designs that honour individuality, confidence, and unbridled enthusiasm.
Lanre Da Silva
Creative Director Lanre Da Silva stated, “The launch of this platform was inspired by the next frontier of fashion, which focuses on sustainability and collaboration. It is about leveraging platforms and networks for mutual benefits and working collectively to bring local talents to the global stage. The LDA Runway Renaissance aims to empower the fashion industry by supporting talented designers and small-scale producers who prioritize sustainability. By providing a platform for these emerging creatives, we seek to inspire a more conscious approach to fashion, benefiting both people and the planet.”
The Lanre da Silva (LDA) brand, which will mark its 20th year next year, has been recognised globally as a leading house from Africa. In 2013, the LDA Spring Summer 2013 “Butterfly Kisses” Collection was displayed in the Dolce & Gabbana Spiga2 Concept Store and was part of the Pitti Immagine Trade Show in June 2012 in Florence, Italy.
The fashion industry on the continent has evolved significantly and continues to thrive with great potential. This progress has inspired a commitment to sustaining the industry and supporting brands that are actively promoting consciousness. It aligns with the brand’s dedication to creating lasting social impact within communities and the fashion sector.