The highly anticipated seventh edition of the Lagos Leather Fair kicked off in grand style, setting
the tone for an exciting and insightful two-day experience. Starting out this Saturday, June 29 at
The Balmoral, Federal Palace, Victoria Island. The first day was a perfect blend of creativity,
innovation and connection across leather and fashion enthusiasts. The fair’s 2024 edition was
packed with elegant designs that set a strong tone for the future of the African leather industry.
High points of the event featured a VIP cocktail with leading creative minds and thought leaders
such as Waridi Wardah, Ugo Monye, Femi Olayebi, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, Commissioner
Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Honorable Commissioner of
Tourism, Arts and Culture, and others, as well as a stunning runway showcase from leading brands
like Femi Handbags, HankerandReech, Nene Yaya Sarl, Mhose, Blarkmate, and Aaboux.
Prior to the artful display, the day began with an informative workshop titled “From Inspiration to
Execution: Leveraging the Power of AI From Design to Production, Marketing and Customer
Engagement”. The session was moderated by Dara Olayebi and shared insights from the
industry leaders, Scott Eneje and Malik Afegbua, on how AI can revolutionalize every business
journey. This session was a significant opportunity for leather designers and entrepreneurs to
gain valuable insights and practical tools to improve their craft and scale their businesses.
Following the workshop, the first conversation of the day delved into the intricacies of the leather
supply chain. Industry leaders addressed the challenges and opportunities within the supply
chain, emphasizing the need for efficiency and sustainability within sourcing, manufacturing and
market access solutions. The second conversation of the day held between Waridi Wardah, and
Tokunboh George-Taylor, CEO/Founder of SKOT Communications who focused on brand
positioning and visibility. This session was particularly beneficial for emerging designers looking
to make a mark in the leather industry. The insights provided were invaluable, offering practical
advice on how to stand out in a crowded marketplace despite economic variables.
Overall, day one of the Lagos Leather Fair 2024 was a resounding success. The workshop,
cocktail event and runway showcase highlighted the fair’s commitment to promoting excellence
and innovation in the leather industry. Attendees left with a renewed sense of inspiration and
anticipation for what the rest of the event will bring.
As we look forward to the second day of the Lagos Leather Fair 2024 on Sunday June 30,
excitement for the creativity and innovation continue to build. A high standard has been set, and
we can’t wait to see what the rest of the fair has in store.
