The Designers Who Lit Up the Runway at VVS Future Lab
The runway at VVS Future Lab was a showcase of the many directions African fashion is moving in. Each collection offered a different perspective on contemporary African design, proving there is no singular way to interpret fashion on the continent today.
LAI Labodé Couture
Model on runway for Lai Labode
Image courtest of VVS Lagos
LAI Labode’s collection showed us what the future would look like through the lens of tradition.
There were embroidered florals blooming across structured garments and metallic fabrics that caught the runway lights, which added an almost sculptural quality to each look. The collection combined volume with precision to give silhouettes that felt architectural yet wearable.
Accessories played an equally important role in the storytelling. They complemented the garments instead of competing with them. The result was a collection that celebrated craftsmanship while embracing a distinctly futuristic aesthetic.
Every look demonstrated how cultural references can evolve without losing their essence.
Oshobor
Model in Oshobor on the runway
Image Courtesy of VVS Lagos
Few collections command attention quite like Oshobor's. Working almost entirely in striking shades of crimson, the collection embraced sensuality and sophistication. Feathered textures turned minimal silhouettes into statement pieces, creating movement with every step down the runway.
The standout look for me was a scarlet bikini layered beneath a dramatic feathered coat and finished with a matching cap. It captured the confidence that ran through the entire presentation. It was daring, playful, and unapologetically bold.
The use of red also felt significant. Knowing Oshobor's connection to Benin heritage, the color carried a cultural resonance that elevated the collection beyond aesthetics. It was a visual signature and a subtle nod to history.
Abigail Ajobi
Model on runway for Abigail Ajobi
Image courtest of VVS Lagos
Abigail Ajobi came to the runway with a unique energy. She brought graphic typography, oversized floral motifs, and earthy green tones together in a coordinated two-piece set that immediately stood out. A fitted long-sleeve crop top paired with a high-slit skirt created a silhouette that felt youthful, confident, and playful.
In the collection, denim, gold accents, and batik-inspired textiles added layers of texture, while unexpected styling choices, including creative reinterpretations of the bikini and sculptural hairstyles, gave the presentation a fashion-forward edge.
The collection wasn't afraid to experiment, proving that everyday materials can become something entirely new through imaginative design.
I.N Official
Model on runway for I.N photographed by VVS
I.N demonstrated the enduring power of tailoring. Structured blazers, sharp lapels and fluid suiting formed the backbone of the collection. One standout look featured a deep green double-breasted coat adorned with cascading gold chain embellishments, transforming classic tailoring into something theatrical without feeling excessive.
Throughout the collection, cowrie shell-inspired details and crocodile-textured finishes introduced subtle references to African heritage, allowing tradition to sit comfortably alongside contemporary fashion.
It was a collection that suggested elegance need not be understated; it can also be expressive.
What made the VVS Future Lab runway memorable wasn't that every designer shared the same aesthetic. It was precisely the opposite.
Oshobor explored sensuality through color and movement. LAI Labode fused cultural storytelling with futuristic design. Abigail Ajobi embraced experimentation and bold visual language, while I.N reimagined classic tailoring through texture and embellishment.
Together, the collections reflected a new generation of designers increasingly confident in their own creative voices. Rather than looking outward for validation, they are drawing from heritage, craftsmanship and personal identity to create work that feels distinctly African and unmistakably contemporary.