At Homecoming Festival in Lagos, a Celebration of the City’s Spirited Style
Last weekend saw crowds of Lagos’s fashion-forward creatives head to Homecoming, the three-day-long cultural festival that has become known for drawing connections across fashion, music, and art. Since its founding in 2017 by Grace Ladoja MBE, Homecoming has become one of the year’s most anticipated events for the creative community in Nigeria and the diaspora, featuring a range of art shows, panel discussions, and fashion pop-ups.
The streets leading to Alara, the concept store that hosted Homecoming, were filled with some of the city’s most stylish creatives all making their way to the festival—and a quick glance at the attendees was a reminder of how and why Lagos has earned a reputation as Africa’s fashion capital. Many chose to play the cool casual style of the alté subculture in Nigeria by dressing in cargo pants, T-shirts, and a range of accessories that embraced their individual style.
Captured by Nigerian photographer Danielle Mbonu, here are some of the most stylish looks from this year’s edition of Homecoming.
Prince Brefo, model, 25
What brings you to Homecoming?
Free The Youth—and I love Lagos.
Who are you excited to see perform?
Odumodu Black, Trill Tega.
Tell us about your outfit.
Wearing a new Free The Youth soccer Jersey with my high-knee pants, Free The Youth socks, Nike and Nocta shoes.
What do you love about Lagos?
It’s the free vibes for me and everybody thriving to make something happen always. I love the city, the rivers, and the people.
Oyinkansola Dada, founder of Dada Gallery and Dada Magazine, 26
What brings you to Homecoming?
The fashion, the energy, and the art tour I helped curate for this year’s edition!
Who are you excited to see perform?
I’m excited to see Santi and Victony perform.
Tell us about your outfit.
I’m wearing a Chopova Lowena skirt and Zara tank top.
What makes Lagos style what it is?
My style is edgy and colorful. I try to be as comfortable as possible while making a bold statement.
What makes Lagos style what it is?
The culture and the energy really help us push boundaries.
What do you love about Lagos?
I love my community of brilliant creatives!!
JayO, artist, 23
What brings you to Homecoming?
Coming home brings me to Homecoming—what’s better than performing in your own country with people you can relate to?
Who are you excited to see perform?
Victony: a serious talent.
Tell us about your outfit
I picked up my top from Ashluxe, a well-known Nigerian brand out here, and then my bottoms were made by my close friend from London, Andy Gapp. He really went in.
How would you describe your style?
When describing my style, I’d say I want to feel good all the time in the clothes I’m wearing. I’m having fun with the style.
What makes Lagos style what it is?
The music and creative culture here is what brings out the style in Lagos. Everyone always looks fly.
What do you love about Lagos?
I love that after ten years or so my first time coming back was to perform and it was a night I will always remember. London boy in Lagos!
Irene Agbontaen, founder of TTYA London
What brings you to Homecoming?
The community. Grace and Alex have been longtime collaborators of mine and so I am excited because I have been to all the past editions.
Tell us about your outfit.
A YSL bag, archive Topshop, and Jacquemus Nike trainers.
How would you describe your style?
Color-blocking minimalism.
What makes Lagos style what it is?
Style in Lagos is expressed through culture and as Lagosians, we have the ability to “never carry last.”
What do you love about Lagos?
Lagos is home! And I always love coming home.
Joey Lit, fashion designer, 27
What brings you to Homecoming?
This is my second time partnering with Homecoming and it’s a good space to be creative as a way to connect and get inspired. I’m here for the energy.
Who are you excited to see perform?
Odumodu Black.
Tell us about your outfit.
My outfit is my mood at the moment. I dress up with how I feel and what makes me stand out.
How would you describe your style?
My style is unique and free.
What makes Lagos style what it is?
Lagos style is so diverse and inspiring due to the dynamic nature of the arts and culture industries.
What do you love about Lagos?
I love Lagos for the energy and the people. This is my home.
Blessing Ewona, skateboarder and entrepreneur, 26
What brings you to Homecoming?
Dencity’s debut pop-up at Homecoming.
Who are you excited to see perform?
Brazy, Sgawd, Odumodublack.
Tell us about your outfit
I really love a jorts and boots combo—I thrifted the boots at the last minute and just decided to style it.
How would you describe your style?
Edgy, sporty, original.
What makes Lagos style what it is?
People feel free to express themselves.
What do you love about Lagos?
The chaos.
Wami Aluko, multi-disciplinary artist, 25
What brings you to Homecoming?
I’m here to witness and document! I’m excited to see.
Tell us about your outfit.
I was inspired by the color purple and flowers and botany. Would describe my style as playful, childlike, color coded and earthy.
What do you love about Lagos?
Our unique version of chaos and the need to express it. I love the ease of access we have for artisans to create and build our realities.
Come on, 22
What brings you to Homecoming?
I came to shop all the new brands at the pop-up and also eat at Nok.
Who are you excited to see perform?
My outfit is honestly super simple. I love The K Label for basics and I just wanted something simple but cute.
How would you describe your style?
It’s always evolving. I wear whatever makes me feel good that day.
What makes Lagos style what it is?
Lagos style is wearing whatever you want at every single moment of your life. I love that Lagos girls dress up everywhere they go and they just look so good!
What do you love about Lagos?
My favorite thing about Lagos is the people. I love being home with my family and friends. I’m super lucky to be surrounded by people I not only love but inspire me in life, fashion, et cetera.
Tycoone, creative director, 27
What brings you to Homecoming?
I came to share my interests, and show my appreciation and support to the talented ones who are connecting the dots every day.
Who are you excited to see perform?
Odumodu Black, YKB, and Smad.
Tell us about your outfit.
I really went comfy but still fire with it. A thrifted ’90s tee, red Louis Vuitton beach shorts, Kapital Socks, and Vivienne Westwood x ASICS sneakers.
How would you describe your style?
I would say my style is very relaxed but still athletic because I’m always on the go.
What makes Lagos style what it is?
Lagos style just has a sense of confidence and an out-of-the-box nature when it comes to it.
What do you love about Lagos?
The food, the hospitality, and the freedom.
Lady Donli, musician and composer, 26
What brings you to Homecoming?
The energy is unmatched.
Who are you excited to see perform?
Young John.
Tell us about your outfit
I don’t usually wear skirts, but today I feel a bit like I want to float, so I put this on. It’s one of the two skirts I own, so I love green so I always have something green on the basis of the shades. A black blouse because black is always good and some Nocta kicks because I always try to go for comfort.
How would you describe your style?
My style revolves around comfort and colors I really like. I’m heavily inspired by the 2000s, so I’d usually pull some inspiration from there. I’m obsessed with nostalgia.
What makes Lagos style what it is?
Lagos is hectic and I think everything that revolves around it embraces that energy. That’s why Lagos is what it is, there’s no place like this. The energy is something else.
What do you love about Lagos?
I love my community in Lagos. They make the city what it is for me.
Originally Appeared on Vogue
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