By Josephine Agbonkhese

As global conversations around sustainability continue to reshape the fashion industry, Nigerian designer Coker Oluwabunmi Ashiat is emerging as a thoughtful voice in this vital movement through her brand, ShugaCollection.

Her recent runway presentations at the Ogun State Fashion Show 2024 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, and an international showcase in Ghana provided compelling evidence of a designer deeply engaged with craft, conscience, and innovation.

The Ogun State Fashion Show 2024, organised by Kaydav Models to spotlight indigenous designers and locally sourced fabrics, featured one of the event’s most concept driven presentations from ShugaCollection. Coker’s collection moved beyond mere visual spectacle, delivering a clear narrative rooted in sustainability and cultural pride.

Particularly striking was Coker’s masterful use of textile waste. Leftover fabrics were skilfully transformed into signature accessories and functional aprons, integrated seamlessly into the lineup rather than as token additions.

This intentional approach elevated sustainability to a core design element, proving that environmentally responsible fashion can be refined, wearable, and highly expressive qualities that resonated strongly with attendees and industry observers.

ShugaCollection’s subsequent appearance at a prominent fashion week event in Ghana tested and affirmed the collection’s appeal beyond Nigeria.

Presented to a diverse international audience of designers, buyers, and enthusiasts, the lineup retained its coherence and purposeful messaging. The repurposed accessories once again commanded attention, serving as powerful visual markers of the brand’s dedication to waste reduction while maintaining strong aesthetic relevance.

In an industry that generates millions of tonnes of textile waste each year, designers actively tackling environmental impact are gaining rightful prominence. ShugaCollection’s work demonstrates acute awareness of these challenges, especially in the African context where resourcefulness often drives innovation.

Coker Oluwabunmi Ashiat’s incorporation of waste materials into her runway narrative signals a forward-thinking approach that prioritises long-term responsibility over fleeting trends.

Still in its emerging phase, ShugaCollection’s successful dual runway presence across Nigeria and Ghana highlights a brand with growing regional ambitions.

The consistent sustainability message across borders suggests strong potential for wider resonance in the global eco-fashion dialogue. For Coker Oluwabunmi Ashiat, these 2024 showcases represent a significant milestone, establishing ShugaCollection as a purpose-driven African label that merits close attention from the international fashion community.