By Daniel Olushola Michael
Lagos — Saturday, November 7, 2026
The 9th edition of the Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) Fashion Weekend opened on Saturday with the colour, confidence, and creative risk that have come to define Nigeria’s biggest fashion gathering.
From the runway to the exhibition floor, the first day of the two-day event delivered divergent interpretations of African and Western fashion — bold silhouettes, experimental fabrics, heritage-inspired detailing, and streetwear statements all competing for attention.
But one of the most photographed and discussed moments of Day 1 did not come from a scheduled designer showcase alone,it also came from the crowd.
The Look That Stopped the Crowd
Fashion enthusiast and designer, Mimi 'O' Kereni arrived in a three-piece outfit embellished with real food grains-corn, beans, and peanuts — meticulously arranged across the ensemble.
As he moved gallantly around the venue, participants paused to look, photograph, and commend the work. In a space filled with fashionistas determined to stand out, Mimi’s outfit did more than stand out. It started conversations.
For many attendees, the appeal was not just the novelty of the materials, but the discipline behind it: the time, teamwork, and attention to detail required to turn loose grains into a wearable fashion statement.
“Imagination To Reality”
Speaking to the Globalreport team at the venue, Mimi said the outfit was the result of a clear idea and collective effort.
“As soon as I caught the idea, I gathered my team to put in our best to see the fruition of our efforts, and I’m so excited to see people appreciated the concept.”
He described the look as an attempt to bring imagination to reality, to prove that fashion does not always have to begin with conventional fabric to make a powerful statement.
Creativity Or Overreach?
The question on some lips, was it creativity or overreach? these reflects a familiar debate at fashion events of this scale.
For a new participant, wearing grains to a major fashion weekend could easily be dismissed as a stunt. But GTCO Fashion Weekend has never been a conservative event. Previous editions have witnessed a steady eruption of divergent creative ideas, from avant-garde presentations to unconventional materials and bold cultural fusions.
Within that context, Mimi’s appearance fits the spirit of the event: fashion as expression, experimentation, and identity, not just clothing.
A Platform For The Industry
Beyond the street-style moments, the 9th edition continues GTCO Fashion Weekend’s core mandate, bringing together global fashion entrepreneurs, designers, industry professionals, and style enthusiasts.
This year’s theme, “Fashion Is Timeless,” frames the conversations, exhibitions, and masterclasses led by savvy international and local designers, fashion entrepreneurs, and industry experts.
The event provides a rare meeting point for established names and emerging talent: a place to learn, network, sell, collaborate, and test new ideas before a live, fashion-literate audience.
Day 1 Sets The Tone
If Day 1 is any indication, this year’s edition will be remembered as much for the participants in the audience as for those on the runway.
Mimi 'O' Kereni’s grain-embellished three-piece may not be a commercial collection, and it may not be repeated on a high-street rack. But as a statement of confidence, craftsmanship, and creative courage, it captured exactly what the weekend is designed to celebrate.
The GTCO Fashion Weekend continues on Sunday for its second and final day from 10am - 10pm
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