GTCO Fashion Weekend set to Launch Online Directory for Local Fabric Makers
GTCO Fashion Weekend organisers are set to launch an online directory for local fabric makers ahead of the 2026 edition!
Just days after we are still buzzing from the high that Lagos Fashion Week got us on , Guarantee Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc is set to launch a landmark initiative to take the economic impact of its annual GTCO Fashion Weekend beyond the 7th and 8th of November 2026 for the ninth edition.
GTCO has revealed plans to launch a dedicated online directory designed to empower and protect local makers of indigenous Nigerian textiles . This was mentioned at the recently held press conference in Lagos.
The main focus of this digital platform is to ensure that original makers of traditional textiles like Adire, Aso-Oke ,Akwete and other hand crafted fabric receive the recognition, intellectual credit and direct economic reward they deserve.
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It a well known fact that for years, the creative economy has had a huge challenge with low-quality imitation and mass-produced counterfeits imported from markets overseas, like China. By establishing a central, verified digital platform , GTCO aims to make it easy to reach the authentic crafters and also distinguish authentic locally handwoven and dyed fabrics from factory replicas.
Set to launch officially before the Fashion Weekend, the platform will feature:
Verified Business Listings. Every textile house, weaver collective, and dye pit listed has been thoroughly vetted and approved by GTCO to guarantee absolute authenticity.
Textile Cataloguing. There will be a breakdown of available indigenous fabrics highlighting traditional techniques, including Adire Indigo dyeing, Aso Oke, and Akwete weaving.
Direct Buyer-Seller Matching. There will be complete contact information and business credentials to allow fashion brands, retail buyers, and enthusiasts across the globe to place orders directly with authentic makers.
The directory rollout will be a prelude to the GTCO Fashion Weekend, which will be bringing together over 140 retail brands, an all female masterclass, and international runway presentations. This year’s focus on heritage textiles reinforces the commitment to positioning African craft as a sustainable global commodity.
