Uyo Fashion Week: A Fusion of Styles, Creativity & the GIM’S Exclusive brand

The Uyo Fashion Week has gradually become the centre piece of Designs and creativity in the Niger Delta region with this year’s event, “The Fusion” described as a homecoming celebration of creativity, culture, collaboration, and identity, OGENYI OGENYI writes.

The fifth edition of the Uyo Fashion Week must have come and gone, but the echoes of glitz, designs, models and styles will continue to reverberate not just across this emerging city, but around the Niger Delta region as the show has gradually become the centre piece of fashion in the region.

Designers drawn from the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom featured in this year’s edition with a mission to fostering creativity, commercialisation, and scale within the fashion and creative ecosystem.

The event, themed, “The Fusion” is described as a homecoming celebration of creativity, culture, collaboration, and identity and featured designers from across the 31 Local Councils of the state.

Organized by fashion icon, Lady Mae Edmonds , the event, which began in 2022, had grown into one of Nigeria’s most vibrant fashion and creative platforms, spotlighting talent from Akwa Ibom and beyond.

*Over the course of previous four editions, more than 150 designers have showcased well over a thousand designs on our runway, reaching millions of viewers and fashion enthusiasts across the world through physical showcases, digital media and global engagement. We are proud that our platform has not only celebrated fashion, but has also become a catalyst for opportunity, exposure and transformation.

“From the very beginning, Uyo Fashion Week has remained committed to giving opportunities to both the established and the undiscovered. Our runway has served as a springboard for emerging designers, models, stylists, photographers and other creative talents to launch their careers and pursue their dreams.* She said

The 2026 edition featured an expanded Arise31 Runway Showcase, giving designers from all 31 local government areas of the State an opportunity to take to the runway for the first time, with signature experiences which include, Ayaya, Asiaan, and Ediye also returning.

“This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to inclusivity, grassroots discovery and creative empowerment,” Edmonds said.

Top celebrities of Akwa Ibom origin, including Ini Edo, Nse Ikpe Etim, Eve Esin, Motel, Ebenezer Eno, Maurice Sam, Fiokee, and Lybra were also in hand with celebrity supporters like Denrele Edun and Nancy Isime in the groove.

Going down memory lane, Edmonds said that What began in 2022 as a viable seed sown with faith, passion and determination, has today blossomed into one of the most vibrant fashion and creative platforms in Nigeria.

“Uyo Fashion Week was born from a dream to create a world-class platform that would spotlight the immense creative talent resident in Akwa Ibom State and beyond. Four editions later, that dream has continued to flourish beyond expectations.

“As we unveil the 2026 edition, we remain committed to steering our ship consistently along the path of progress. Staying true to our founding vision, we have set machinery in motion to foster creativity, commercialization and scale within the fashion and creative ecosystem.

This year’s edition is themed “The Fusion” — a celebration of creativity, culture, collaboration and identity. More importantly, this is our Homecoming Edition — a gathering designed to reconnect sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom with the creative renaissance happening at home.

“This year’s edition is particularly special as it coincides with the birthday celebration of the Convener of Uyo Fashion Week, Lady Mae Edmonds. It is therefore not just a fashion event, but also a celebration of purpose, impact and the journey so far.” She said.

Edmonds commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its continued support and thanked partners such as Ibom Air and the media for backing the initiative and called on more corporate organisations and development partners to invest in building a globally competitive creative and fashion ecosystem from the state.

“Your partnership has helped amplify our vision, celebrate our talents and tell our stories to the world. We humbly solicit even greater support as we continue to build a globally respected creative platform from Akwa Ibom State.

“Finally, we wish to sincerely appreciate members of the media for your steadfast support over the years. Your partnership has helped amplify our vision, celebrate our talents and tell our stories to the world. We humbly solicit even greater support as we continue to build a globally respected creative platform from Akwa Ibom State. Together we build

Peharps one remarkable example of the success of successive Weeks is Joel of GIMS Exclusive — a young designer under the age of 25 who was discovered during our Arise Runway Show. Following his outstanding performance in the platform last year, Joel received invitations to both the New York Fashion Week and Brooklyn Fashion Week.

A contemporary fashion brand founded by Joel Namnso Thomas, a Nigerian fashion designer from Akwa Ibom State in 2019, the brand is known for blending African culture, creativity, elegance, and modern fashion into unique statement pieces.

Since its launch, GIM’S Exclusive has grown into a rising fashion brand recognized for its bold designs, storytelling collections, and artistic runway presentations. The brand gained wider recognition after participating in major fashion platforms including Uyo Fashion Week, Brooklyn Fashion Week, and New York Fashion Week.

The company focuses on creating designs that go beyond clothing, using fashion as a form of expression, culture, and identity. With a vision to represent African fashion on the global stage, the brand continues to push creative boundaries while inspiring the next generation of designers.

According to the founder, Joel Thomas
, the journey from the Uyo Fashion Week and the invitation to the Brooklyn Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week, has been nothing short of transformational.

“These experiences exposed us to a global stage where creativity, culture, innovation, and excellence meet. Being part of such prestigious fashioned platforms has greatly impacted our brand, broadened our vision, strengthened our confidence, and challenged us to keep pushing boundaries in fashion.

“For me at GIM’S Exclusive, it was more than just showcasing designs it was about telling our story, representing African creativity, and proving that passion, consistency, and hard work can open international doors.The exposure, connections, lessons, and opportunities gained from these experiences will continue to shape the future of my brand as I rise higher in the global fashion industry and this is only the beginning.” Joel concluded.