Lagos-based stylist, creative director, and consultant Momo Hassan-Odukale is deeply entrenched in the Nigerian fashion scene. After graduating from Central Saint Martins (and nearly a decade in the UK), she returned to her hometown of Lagos where she established her eponymous creative agency. Through her work, both at Momo and the agency’s editorial offshoot, GIDA Journal, Hassan-Odukale aims to uplift and spotlight African creatives, working with clients including ASOS, Nike, and Heineken.
“I feel people have so many preconceptions about Lagos and Lagosians,” she says. “The most important thing I wish people knew was the resilience of the people here across all industries, including the fashion and arts scenes.”
And what better show of spirit than Lagos Fashion Week? For Hassan-Odukale, it’s more than just a busy workweek (though she has counted them as a client). It’s a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the city’s designers, many of whom she counts as friends.
Hassan-Odukale watches that resiliency come to life on the runway. “My favorite part of the week is being there to see my friends’ collectsions,” she says. “It is a very emotional moment for them and for anyone else who is watching. All the hard work and time that has gone into it—it’s amazing to watch it come to life.” She cites Oyin Alesh of the brand KADIJU and Bubu Ogisi of IAMISIGO as two high points of the week.
“The use of traditional materials and learning how to utilize materials that form our environment to create consciously wearable clothing, which also doubles as art pieces, is super inspiring,” she says of Ogisi. “She has created a brand that stands for a lot of different and meaningful things to her community.”
Below, Hassan-Odukale takes Vogue through her Lagos Fashion Week.
Courtesy of Momo Hassan-Odukale1/7“My friend Oyin Alesh, the founder of KADIJU, invited me to her studio a couple of days before the show for a fitting, and I chose the blue checkered dress.”
Courtesy of Momo Hassan-Odukale2/7“Being able to wear it to her show and also seeing it on the runway at the same time was special.”
Courtesy of Momo Hassan-Odukale3/7Hassan-Odukale wearing LISAFOLAWIYOSTUDIO by Lisa Folawiyo.
Courtesy of Momo Hassan-Odukale4/7Hassan-Odukale en route to the IAMISIGO show.
Courtesy of Momo Hassan-Odukale5/7“Bubu Ogisi [of IAMISIGO] put on the most beautiful show I've probably ever been to in Lagos. It was set in an old fashion factory.”
Courtesy of Momo Hassan-Odukale6/7“Everything IAMISIGO stands for was present at this show— spirituality and craftsmanship.”
Courtesy of Momo Hassan-Odukale7/7“[Ogisi] uses traditional materials like brass, glass, and handwoven raffia to convey ancient Edo and Yoruba cosmology.”
