Fashion designers and enthusiasts gathered at Freedom Park, Lagos, on Saturday, October 10, for the ‘Dress Fela’ fashion show, showcasing outfits inspired by Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. The event, organised in collaboration with DeLaChess Couture, celebrated Fela’s enduring influence on fashion, cultural identity and contemporary African style ahead of the 2026 edition of Felabration.
Models displayed diverse Fela-inspired designs, exploring how the musician’s distinctive style could be reinterpreted through modern fashion. The outfits highlighted clothing as a means of self-expression, individuality and cultural storytelling, while drawing inspiration from Nigeria’s rich heritage.
Attendees praised the creativity and originality of the showcase. Adesewa Bakare described it as an opportunity to celebrate Fela’s legacy beyond music, while Chukwudi Okafor said the event successfully connected contemporary fashion with Nigerian cultural identity. Temiloluwa Akinyemi also commended the designers for transforming cultural influences into modern styles.
Felabration, an annual festival initiated by Fela’s family, celebrates his contributions to music, culture and the struggle for social justice. Fela, who died on August 2, 1997, remains one of Africa’s most influential musicians, with his revolutionary Afrobeat sound and outspoken criticism of corruption and injustice continuing to inspire artists worldwide. The 2026 edition of Felabration is scheduled to hold from October 12 to 18.
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