By Okosun Dennis
The audience longed for it as an annual fashion show. And it came with a bang, that sparks off the curiosity among the audiences that attended the GTCO Fashion Weekend 2025 masterclasses with Bianca Saunders, Jade Oyateru, and Melissa Butler dazzling various audiences as they sat dishing out tit-bits of fashion.
Bianca Saunders gave the nuggets, the story telling with the appurtenances of his fashion lines; the challenges, growing up and inspirationally tutored by a mother with high sense of photography and building a community around its brands.
The dynamism, the class, the glamour, the “crazy” dress senses by both the young and old reflected in all the classes. The exquisite and top-notch questions from the audiences, hitting the guests like a thunderbolts that resonated through the hall; the classic responses that dazzled the audience too, were very reassuring and excellent testimony of their qualities and pedigrees.
With the Day One of the GTCO Fashion Weekend masterclasses featuring inspiring ladies with avalanche of experiences spanning several years, global fashion leader Bianca Saunders walked in, dressed with flowing black shirt on a black flowing skirt, she was a masterpiece in a masterclass.
Like the previous editions, this year’s 8th edition of the GTCO Fashion Weekend ips an embodiment of creativity, enterprise, and innovation within Africa’s growing fashion ecosystem.
With the theme of “Fashion Is Freedom,” which reflects the role of fashion as a tool of expression, identity, and economic empowerment, the street wears presented a magnetic feet with different designs and styles.
The first masterclass began with award-winning designer Bianca Saunders. He explored cultural storytelling and design authenticity in building a global menswear label, adding that her biggest showcase was at the Paris Fashion Week.
With skills, creativity and authenticity, Saunders reiterated that her mother – a hairdresser, who also studied photography – was an inspiration. Adding that she has been able to deal with challenges by learning from her mistakes; “that enhances my authenticity.
“I have done every single job in my business and I make it work.” On African designers in the diaspora, “inspiration comes from looking around my environment, blending it with various collaborative efforts to push for excellence.
Across the retail marketplace, guests explored a wide range of apparel, accessories, and ready-to-wear pieces from both emerging and established fashion entrepreneurs, reinforcing the event’s mission to drive business growth and consumer engagement within Nigeria’s creative sector.
The GTCO Fashion Weekend taking place at Plot 1, Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Lagos, featuring more runway shows, shopping experiences, and masterclasses, has been quite an immersive experience to treasure.
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) is a leading financial institution with a strong commitment to innovation, enterprise, and community development. Through its lifestyle and enterprise platforms such as the GTCO Food and Drink Festival and GTCO Fashion Weekend, the Group continues to drive opportunities for growth within Africa’s creative industries.
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