Lagos Fashion Week Launches Regenerative Fashion Manifesto

Lagos Fashion Week has launched Africa's first manifesto for a regenerative fashion industry, coinciding with the Earthshot Prize and Climate Action Week in London. This initiative aims to provide a distinct African perspective on sustainability, rooted in centuries of knowledge and craftsmanship.

The manifesto highlights the need for ownership and value in African materials and craftsmanship, noting that Africa exports approximately $15 billion in raw textiles annually while importing $23 billion in finished clothing and footwear. It argues that the gap is not due to a lack of talent but a lack of ownership.

The manifesto was developed through a series of workshops and consultations led by Lagos Fashion Week and the Earthshot Prize, reflecting the collective thoughts of the African Fashion Coalition and other stakeholders. A manifesto lab is scheduled for April 2026 to further refine the document, which includes principles for solutions in regenerative fashion, such as repair, reuse, and stewardship of local resources.