A collage photo of GTCO GCEO Segun Agbaje and GTCO fashion Weekend 2024
By Our Reporter
The GTCO Fashion Weekend 2024 emerged as a vibrant celebration of Africa’s rich tapestry of creativity, bringing together the continent’s most talented designers and entrepreneurs in the fashion industry. This year’s event underscored Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc’s (GTCO) unwavering commitment to fostering growth and innovation within the African fashion landscape.
In his welcome address, Segun Agbaje, the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO, articulated the vision behind the fashion weekend, emphasizing its role in promoting, empowering, and celebrating the incredible talents that define African fashion. “The vision for the GTCO Fashion Weekend is to create a platform that supports small businesses and the community, showcasing Africa’s vast creativity to the world,” Agbaje stated. He highlighted the importance of storytelling through fashion, which serves as a universal language reflecting heritage, culture, and personal identity.
Agbaje also noted that fashion transcends geographic boundaries, stating, “Last year, we took a bold step forward by introducing virtual casting, which allowed us to reach talents from every corner of the continent. This innovative approach proved that fashion truly has no limits.” He emphasized growing global influence of African designers, who are increasingly showcasing their work on international stages. “As we celebrate this year’s edition, let us reflect on the broader impact of African fashion on the world; it is a growing global phenomenon embraced by international designers and celebrities,” he added. Agbaje pointed out that African designs are now featured in luxury boutiques in fashion capitals like Paris, Milan, and New York, with the continent’s unique fabrics and aesthetics influencing global fashion trends.
This year’s GTCO Fashion Weekend featured an impressive lineup of industry leaders, including Lulu Kennedy MBE, the Founder and Director of Fashion East & MAN, and the Lulu & Co clothing line. Kennedy, who also serves as Editor-at-large for Condé Nast’s biannual LOVE magazine, led a masterclass on “Incubating Talent: Supporting the Next Generation.” Additionally, Patricia Bright, a globally recognized entrepreneur and content creator with over 4 million followers, shared insights on “Style, Influence + Everything in Between Your Online World.”
The second day of the event promised to be equally inspiring, with masterclasses featuring industry experts like Sheila Daley and Ted Gibson. The presentation stage showcased talented designers such as Iola Ogudipe, Jewelila, Elpis Magalio, and Lohije, among others.
The GTCO Fashion Weekend also boasted over 140 curated pop-up fashion retail stores, a Craft/Fabric market, and 12 runway shows featuring both Africa’s finest designers and international talents.
About GTCO
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc is a leading financial services provider with banking operations across West and East Africa and the United Kingdom. The company also engages in non-banking businesses across key industry segments, including payments, funds management, and pension management. With an asset base of N14.5 trillion and over 41 million customers, GTCO continues to play a pivotal role in supporting economic growth and development across the region.
