By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
Lagos roared to life as the 2025 GTCO Fashion Weekend launched with an electrifying showcase of creativity, commerce, and cultural pride — signaling a new era where fashion is more than art; it’s a powerful vehicle for identity, enterprise, and societal change.
The event’s highlight was an inspiring lineup of masterclasses featuring global industry icons Bianca Saunders, Jade Oyateru, and Melissa Butler, each delivering compelling insights that challenge conventions and redefine the future of fashion and beauty.
London-based designer Bianca Saunders, renowned for her seamless blend of British and Jamaican heritage, opened the weekend’s masterclass series with a provocative discussion titled “The Business of Creativity: Scaling a Fashion Brand Beyond Wholesale.” A recipient of the prestigious ANDAM Grand Prix and BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund, Saunders shared her journey from the Royal College of Art to international runways, emphasizing the importance of staying true to one’s roots.
“Many young designers struggle to build a brand that feels genuine,” Saunders asserted to a packed audience. “Your work must be appreciated without losing your identity. That’s your greatest strength.” Her message was clear: authenticity accelerates growth and sustains relevance.
Saunders urged African designers to embrace their unique stories, warning that imitation pales in comparison to genuine expression. “People connect with truth — and that’s what drives brand longevity,” she emphasized, inspiring a wave of confidence among emerging creatives.
Next, Jade Oyateru, co-founder and COO of Uncover Skincare, took the stage to share her journey of merging Korean skincare science with African botanicals. Her session, “The Power of Story: Building Brands People Believe In,” highlighted how authentic storytelling and product integrity foster consumer trust in an increasingly competitive market.
With Uncover expanding across eight African countries and attracting multimillion-dollar investments, Oyateru emphasized that trust is rooted in authenticity. “A brand isn’t what you say about yourself — it’s what people say about you when you’re not in the room,” she declared. “Your story builds trust. That’s what keeps customers loyal.”
Her insights reinforced a crucial message for African entrepreneurs: products must tell our stories, reflect our culture, and serve our communities. “We’re not just creating skincare,” Oyateru affirmed. “We’re building confidence for melanin-rich women across Africa — products tested on us, made for us, and telling our stories.”
Closing the day’s enlightening sessions, Melissa Butler, founder of U.S. beauty brand The Lip Bar, shared her extraordinary journey from a kitchen in Detroit to major American retail shelves. Her talk, “Building a Business from Zero to a Multi-Million Dollar Empire,” resonated with aspiring entrepreneurs eager to break barriers.
“I started The Lip Bar because I was tired of beauty standards that told women they weren’t enough,” Butler explained. “I wanted to prove that inclusion isn’t a trend — it’s the future.” Her boldness underscores the importance of perseverance and authenticity in entrepreneurial success.
Butler urged young creatives to embrace failure as a stepping stone. “The difference between dreamers and doers,” she said, “is the willingness to start — even when you’re scared.”
Across all sessions, one message rang loud and clear: authenticity is the new currency in fashion and beauty. Saunders’ emphasis on identity, Oyateru’s focus on storytelling, and Butler’s call for fearless innovation collectively underscore a fundamental truth — success begins with self-belief and purpose.
As the evening drew to a close, the message was unmistakable: this year’s GTCO Fashion Weekend isn’t just about style; it’s about substance — a movement that celebrates individuality, champions authenticity, and paves the way for a future where African voices lead global conversations.
The revolution has begun!
