In celebration of Lagos Fashion Week 2025, the roads leading to the Federal Palace Hotel on Victoria Island were filled with cars and people. Guests and fashion designers were welcomed by flashes of cameras. Still, between the hours of 9:00 and 10:00 PM on the opening day, all attention shifted to the stage to witness the unveiling of the SS26 collection from the LFJ brand.

On that stage, its SS26 collection themed “Orient of Africa” was showcased. From the name alone, you can tell the inspiration behind the collection and that the brand is trying to mix African identity with a touch of modern steeze.

The brand left the audience “wowed” with this collection. Right from the first outfit showcased on the runway, it was clear the brand is heavy on storytelling. Each outfit told a story of intentional craftsmanship of the LFJ brand.

The first piece opening the LFJ SS26 collection is one that gives a ballroom vibe.

The top part is giving real ẹwà (beauty) and àṣà (culture), but mixed with a modern technique. The pleats are the most attractive features. It flows freely from the neck region down to the hand. But the way they are arranged, in a fan-like shape, is just uniquely different.

The upper part of the outfit clings to the body and then flares out freely at the tip. Together, they give the wearer that “sharp-sharp” look.

The choice of material and colour is rich. The material looks like lightweight material, probably a net, because the model’s arms and legs are visible. On the part of hue, the clean transition from white to red is on point. But while the pleat and the colour combination are smooth, it appears too busy. It also draws the eyes from what really matters: the lower part.

Downward, the fluidity of the skirt balances out the structured top. The texture of the material is what allows the wearer to move and walk freely. But while this is good, the skirt structure might not be convenient, especially for women who don’t enjoy showing some skin. From the waist, the piece puffs up and flows down lightly.

Truly, this piece is a masterclass between soft elegance and tailored structure. Paired with the right accessories, the piece moves from just a runway piece to one turn heads in any room it steps into.

True fashion is one with less noise and more presence. That is what LFJ portrays with this piece.

On the runway, the sleeveless gown stuns everyone with its calm power. A kind of feminine power that can only be described with the Yoruba words, “jẹ́ kí n wò ó dáadáa” (let me observe properly).

The fabric texture and colour remind one of the oceans. It is light, warm, and catches the eye due to its gleaming reflection.

Like the first piece, it carries an interesting detail: Pleats. But the way they are sewn is on a different level. At the top, it wraps the model and takes it to the neck, and then at the waist, it is cinched, giving it a high and low element. This could not have been done by accident, but by a skilled artisan.

The design profile is loose, yet still fitted. For women who want to be stylish yet comfortable, the piece does this and more. The headgear on the model completely “killed” the look. It carries the touch of the colour, making it more like a continuous part of the piece. Styling it further with other accessories needs to be minimal, so it doesn’t overcomplicate the dress.

But while the outfit does well on the runway, another angle needs to be considered: the real environment. Imagine this: the dress is worn to an event that involves moving around, taking pictures, and just socialising, it requires space and careful movement. And if it is handled well, it might feel tiring.

Also, right now, the piece relies heavily on a powerful structure, and if it loses shape at any point, it might look out of place on its wearer. But while still maintaining its elegance, the piece can still cater to all sizes of women if and only if it comes in different variations.

On a wider perspective, this outfit has the potential to compete in an international space with top brands like Rendoll, because of how it shifts from the question of “How does this look?” to one of “What does it mean?” Overall, the LFJ brand is on a good path. The piece clearly shows a clear direction of its identity in the African fashion space.

The first word that comes to mind when one sees this piece is: Wow.

This dress speaks to the confident woman. But that is not all, it is giving full, soft, and girly energy.

From the view, the piece is covered in flowery details. But the movement of the flower is what gives life to the overall look. In an event setting where the lights are flashing, the dress would make any woman the centre of attention.

But while the choice of hue, a lively yellow, gives the piece the bright look, the real deal is the masterpiece LFJ created.

The design structure looks simple, almost like a straight short dress, elongating the legs. Doing less can be more, because that’s exactly what plays out in the piece. The brand uses material and colour to its advantage, refusing to overwhelm the piece with other decorative elements.

The headset is another thoughtful addition. They add extra spice to the overall outfit. However, the outfit might not fit all occasions. First, the dress is too short to wear and is even restrictive. Simple things like moving, sitting, or even dancing would have to be done with care. Also, the flowery detail makes it not the first choice for formal events.

In sum, LFJ is not afraid to experiment with bold colour and texture. The flowery material with the headset combined reflects the African culture and modern elegance.

With each piece, it just keeps getting better. This is another bold outfit from the LFJ SS26 collection. Here, the brand creates magic with a red hue. The material feels light, so it’s possibly a chiffon or organza fabric. But the real magic starts with the design in front of the dress: the ruffle and pleating.
Extending from the shoulders, the ruffled details are layered in a V-shape, and then it is cinched up to the arm. This is creative and further shows that LFJ was not Lagos Fashion Week to play at all.

The outfit has a high-and-low outline. At the front, it is low while the back is high, flowing down to the floor. This offers movement and creates that “twist and turn” effect as the model walks. The long train at the back makes a loud statement, as though the model is walking into purpose and power.

However, the pleats, ruffles, volume, and flowing train are already strong elements; combining them could feel too heavy on the wearer. To better improve this piece, there has to be a limit to the use of different elements. There can still be a balance between these features even without reducing the impact.
Also, the choice of fabric needs to be reconsidered. On days when the weather conditions are warmer, this might not be favourable.

This design could do better with a softer inner lining or a more practical material.
Overall, the design structure of this piece is bold and very expressive. It shows that LFJ is not afraid to push boundaries. The craftsmanship is there, the vision is there, and the confidence is there.

This shirt and trousers combination has no loud drama as seen in the other piece. But on a second look, this two-piece outfit, featuring a top and trousers, carries more.

The fabric looks rumpled, but it gives the overall outfit a depth that colours or embellishment would fail to do.On

On the other hand, the choice of the fabric colour stands a chance of blending into the background, particularly in events where much drama is needed. In cases like this, this might be the first option. But that could be taken care of by adding a little pop of colour or a creative element that makes the piece a better edge.

The top spreads broadly across the chest, wrapping the body smoothly. At the front, the top has a piece of the material wrapped on the shoulders, while underneath, the sleeves are visible. They also look loosely fitted, ending in ruffled cuffs that frame the wrists. From this view, a white inner layer is seen at the neckline.

The trousers have the same design language as the top. Made from the same rumpled material, they offer easy movement while still staying sharp on the model. Then it flows down to the legs.

Overall, this piece is making a loud statement of creativity in simplicity. From the white and red ballroom gown, the warm blue gown, the yellow flowery piece, down to the simple shirt and trousers combination, one thing stood constant in the collection: the use of lightweight materials.Materials

like organza, chiffon, and silk are widely used in the African fashion space, and LFJ is using them to say: it is here to grow, refine, and eventually lead. And the SS26 collection is proof that LFJ is on the right track to competing on the global stage, showcasing African heritage.