Face Beats:

Whether extremely visible or nude, makeup has the ability to easily communicate the designer’s vision for the collections. It is the essential finishing touches that elevate fashion to the realm of artistry during fashion week, lending credibility to the school of thought that they’re the bridge between fashion and art. During Lagos Fashion Week, this was the case for brands like Kadiju, Rendoll, and Jewel Jemila. These brands adorned their models with dewy highlighters and sharply applied 1980s style red blush contouring. There were also a lot of nude colors from brands like Nigeria’s Desirée Iyama and Studio Imo, and South Africa’s Helon Melon and Palesa Mokubung’s Mantsho brand. Although minimal, each stroke of color told a unique story and complemented the designer’s vision.

In contrast, other shows in South Africa and Lagos had really bold looks. We saw the dramatic allure of the smoky eyes from brands like Kadiju (by Oyindamola Aleshinloye), Rendoll (by Reni Abina), Oshobor, and Love From Julez, as well as experimental avant-garde lip transformative looks from brands like Oriré, Viviers Studio, and Abigail Ajobi, which were either extremely black colored or glittery—almost three-dimensional.

Accessories:

Accessories, such as earrings and headwraps, were the secret beauty ingredients that infused personality and flair into every show this year from Lagos and South Africa. Earrings—whether they were statement chandeliers, subtle studs, or daring hoops—added exclamation points to the outfits at KikoRomeo, Gëto, Desirée Iyama, Elexiay, Cynthia Abila, and Pepper Row have models showing up on the runway with extremely gorgeous earrings, including those shaped as petals, roses, animal patterns, large circles, or just studs.

Headwraps, on the other hand, introduced cultural and historical elements, turning each runway show into a narrative. Within the African context, they can signify strength and tradition, or simply serve as a stylish adornment. South Africa’s Sun Goddess Afro Lux, Black Coffee, and street wear brand, Leon Von Solms, really led the charge on this one. The headwraps were mainly prints, including black and white stripe patterns.

Lastly, sunglasses, the epitome of chic and practical fashion accessories, played a pivotal role in elevating the glamor of beauty looks during fashion. For years now, and with each runway collection, this has been ingrained in the DNA of the fashion brand, Cute-Saint, and they didn’t disappoint with this year’s presentation. These eye- wear pieces go beyond mere sun protection. Oversized frames, sleek aviators, and vintage cat-eyed shapes in white and black shades created an air of mystery and allure, complementing beauty looks on this year’s runway.