Nigerian-born Omoyemi Akerele is the founder and CEO of Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files. She has for more than two decades worked in the international fashion industry and is credited for contributing to the acceleration of the African creative economy. Her work is focused on delivering long-term solutions within the African textile and apparel ecosystem by empowering brands, creative businesses and communities with opportunities for growth.

Her commitment to nurture, develop and promote the African fashion industry led to the establishment of the biannual Lagos Fashion Week, a multi-day platform that presents African designers in Nigeria and beyond. Lagos Fashion Week has also expanded its scope of work, providing advocacy for the industry with government and investors, offering industry master-classes and incubation support for emerging talent and supporting all parts of the fashion industry value-chain to achieve their full potential. Through initiatives like SHF Trains, Woven Threads and Green Access, the African apparel industry is strengthened with socio-economic and environmentally sustainable business opportunities.

Omoyemi frequently speaks about the power of the African continent at international events – BOF Voices, Global Fashion Summit, Conde Nast International Luxury Conference, International Luxury Conference (New York Times) to name a few; and has previously held advisory positions at the United Nations (She Trades, UNIDO), British Council, State of Fashion Netherlands, Industrie Africa, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Victoria & Albert Museum. She has won several awards and been featured on the Business of Fashion’s Global 500 list since 2017.

Video by Chanel Trapman