AFWN and MBN Redefine African Fashion Retail with Landmark Designer Trunk Show

By Kunle Adeleye
Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN), in partnership with Made By Nigerians (MBN), has announced the launch of the AFWN x MBN Designer Trunk Show, a four-week retail and commercial fashion experience designed to extend the impact of Africa Fashion Week Nigeria beyond the runway and into sustained market engagement.

The Designer Trunk Show will run from February 5 to March 3, 2026, and will take place at the MBN Experience Centre, 37 Ribadu Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. Delivered through the AFWN x MBN collaboration, the initiative is dedicated to strengthening African brands through retail access, commercial readiness, and meaningful consumer connection.

As African fashion continues to command global attention, industry conversations have evolved from questions of visibility to the more pressing challenge of viability. The AFWN x MBN Designer Trunk Show responds directly to this shift, addressing one of the sector’s most persistent gaps which is transforming showcase moments into sustainable commercial success.

The initiative establishes a structured retail environment where designers can showcase and sell their collections over an extended period, rather than relying solely on fleeting runway exposure. With four weeks of continuous visibility and consumer engagement, designers are able to build relationships, test product-market fit, gather insights, and strengthen brand positioning within a real retail context.

Through MBN’s curated platform, participating designers gain access to a discerning audience that values craftsmanship, originality, and authentic African design narratives. The trunk show also introduces a more intentional approach to merchandising, positioning, and consumer experience which are critical commercial disciplines often missing from short-term fashion showcases.

Speaking on the initiative, AFWN Founder, Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, highlighted the importance of building systems that support longevity within the African fashion ecosystem:

“African fashion has never lacked creativity. What designers need are structures that support sustainability. The AFWN x MBN Designer Trunk Show is about moving designers from momentary visibility to sustained market presence and real economic growth.”

Also speaking on the collaboration, Chidimma Okoli, Chief Project Officer of MBN, emphasised MBN’s commitment to strengthening the Nigerian fashion value chain and creating commercially viable opportunities for designers:

“Our work at MBN is focused on helping Nigerian fashion brands move from talent to trade. We support designers by providing access to retail infrastructure, the right consumer audience, and the commercial tools needed to grow sustainably. We’re excited to welcome shoppers to the MBN Experience Centre in Ikoyi, where they can discover, engage with, and support some of the best expressions of Nigerian fashion.”

The Designer Trunk Show reflects AFWN’s broader commitment to supporting African designers not only as creatives, but as businesses. By combining fashion week exposure with extended retail access, the initiative enables designers to generate revenue, strengthen consumer trust, and position their brands more strategically for future scale.