By Chibuzo Ihegboro
Investors, designers, and experts will be converging to showcase the untapped potential of Africa’s leather industry at the upcoming edition of the Lagos Leather Fair (LLF).
The fair, scheduled for June 29 and 30, 2024, is themed “Levelling Up” and will be the seventh edition, designed to highlight the growth and progress within the African leather ecosystem.
In its seventh instalment, the LLF will bring together leather enthusiasts, designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and industry partners from across the globe to deliver a carefully curated experience that spotlights the diversity of African culture, creativity, and craftsmanship.
Alongside its partners and sponsors, this year’s fair will engage attendees on pertinent issues such as improving socioeconomic impact, adopting sustainable and innovative practices, enhancing industry competition and global partnerships, and improving supply chain efficiency within the leather industry.
The Lagos Leather Fair, spearheaded by Femi Olayebi, is the third largest of its kind in Africa, after the South African and Ethiopian leather fairs. The three-day event will be held at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. It will feature workshops, masterclasses, and awards, as well as exhibitions of talented leather designers and artists.
Additionally, there will be a Pitch-A-Leather-Biz, where investors can hear pitches from emerging designers, including runway presentations styled by Toyin Ogundadegbe, The Style Infidel, and Beyond the Hide, a special immersive leather installation curated by Kanyinsade Ademuson, founder of the Seventh Space architectural firm.
According to Olayebi, the founder of LLF: “Over the years, hosting the Lagos Leather Fair has filled us with the purpose to do more and advance the African leather industry. LLF is a celebration of the potential being achieved through locally sourced craftsmanship, and this year, we are partnering with extremely talented individuals to create an engaging experience that invites participants and attendees to join us on that journey. We are very thankful to our sponsors and collaborators for helping us curate this valuable tradition that continues to elevate the African leather ecosystem.”
The fair will also include expert-led sessions on a range of niche topics, from brand positioning and visibility, sourcing and manufacturing solutions, to the art of photography and the power of leveraging tools across the value chain. Additionally, innovation and creativity will be recognized through the LLF Awards, where designers’ efforts will be awarded across many categories, including Most Innovative Designer Award, Trailblazer Award, Brand Excellence Award, Best Boot Design Award, Best Emerging Designer Award, and Best Curated Instagram Page.
The Lagos Leather Fair, which recorded 3,500 attendees in its last edition, creates a unique and dynamic experience that showcases the talent of leather creatives and diverse forms of African leather products.
L-R Prof. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie (Lagos Business School), Mrs Olufunke Jones (Division Director Providus Bank), Mrs Femi Olayebi (Founder, Lagos Leather Fair), Mr Sola Oyebade (Fashions Finest Africa), Mrs Hadiza Shuaib (Head of Corporate Communications, Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Jerry Tagang (Senior Lecturer, NILEST)
