GTCO Fashion Weekend Ignites Creativity and Innovation

The recently concluded GTCO Fashion Weekend’s 8th edition shone brightly, celebrating creativity, enterprise, and innovation within Africa’s thriving fashion ecosystem. Under the theme, “Fashion Is Freedom”,  the event featured masterclasses, runway showcases, and marketplace exhibitions that highlighted the industry’s latest trends and talents as global fashion leaders shared their expertise, inspiring attendees with stories of perseverance and passion. MARY NNAH writes

The GTCO Fashion Weekend shines brightly in its 8th edition, celebrating creativity, enterprise, and innovation within Africa’s thriving fashion ecosystem. This vibrant event brings together global fashion leaders, designers, and enthusiasts to explore new trends, ideas, and opportunities. Under the theme “Fashion Is Freedom,” the event embodies the power of fashion as a tool for self-expression, identity, and economic empowerment. The theme also reflected the role of fashion as a tool of expression, identity, and economic empowerment. With masterclasses, runway showcases, and marketplace exhibitions, the GTCO Fashion Weekend provides a platform for creatives to learn, grow, and showcase their talents.

This year, attendees were treated to inspiring sessions with industry experts like Bianca Saunders, Jade Oyateru, and Melissa Butler, among others, as well as captivating performances from talented designers

The event featured a series of masterclasses, with the final masterclass on day two led by the renowned makeup artist Patrick Ta.

Patrick Ta’s masterclass was an immersive experience, delving into the intricacies of creating stunning, red-carpet looks. With his model in tow, he demonstrated the art of enhancing one’s features while maintaining a natural, effortless appearance.

He emphasised the importance of skin preparation, using moisturizer to achieve a luminous base for makeup. His approach to contouring and highlighting showcased his signature glow, and his interactions with the audience made the session engaging and informative.

Throughout the masterclass, Patrick Ta shared a wealth of knowledge, covering various aspects of makeup artistry. He stressed that skin prep is key to achieving a smooth, even finish, and demonstrated how to use subtle contouring and highlighting to enhance the model’s features. He also shared his favorite eyeshadow palettes and techniques for creating a natural, everyday look, and emphasised the importance of choosing the right shade of blush to complement one’s skin tone.

Patrick Ta’s passion for his craft was palpable, and his enthusiasm was infectious. The audience was captivated by his energy and expertise, and many were inspired to pursue their own careers in the beauty industry.

He spoke about the importance of understanding individual skin types and tones, and how to tailor makeup applications to suit each person’s unique features.

He also shared some of the challenges he has faced in his career and how he has overcome them.

The masterclass was not just about learning techniques; it was also about inspiration and motivation. Patrick Ta’s message of self-acceptance and self-love resonated with the audience, and he encouraged everyone to embrace their unique features and celebrate their individuality. His generosity and willingness to share his expertise were truly inspiring, and the audience left feeling motivated and empowered.

As Patrick Ta worked his magic on the model, he shared tips and tricks for achieving a flawless finish. He emphasised the importance of blending, blending, and blending again, to create a seamless look that enhances the features without looking too made-up. He also stressed the importance of setting the makeup to ensure it lasts all day and night.

The audience was fascinated by Patrick Ta’s techniques, and many were eager to try them out for themselves. He answered questions and offered personalised advice, sharing his expertise and experience with the audience.

Throughout the session, Patrick Ta’s love for his craft was evident. He spoke about the joy of creating art on the face, and the satisfaction of seeing a person’s confidence boost after a makeup application. He also spoke about the importance of staying true to oneself and not comparing one’s work to others.

His passion and enthusiasm were contagious, and the audience left feeling inspired and motivated to pursue their own passions.

As the masterclass came to a close, the audience was left in awe of Patrick Ta’s artistry and expertise. With its rich content, inspiring stories, and infectious energy, the masterclass was a highlight of the GTCO Fashion Weekend.

The previous day, which was day one of the GTCO Fashion Weekend, kicked off with a dynamic lineup of activities, featuring inspiring masterclasses from global fashion leaders Bianca Saunders, Jade Oyateru, and Melissa Butler, alongside captivating runway showcases and marketplace exhibitions.

Bianca Saunders explored cultural storytelling and design authenticity in building a global menswear label. Jade Oyateru shared strategies on driving growth in African retail through innovation and customer-focused business models. Melissa Butler inspired attendees with her journey from a small start-up to a successful global beauty brand.

The runway came alive with standout showcases from designers including Ituen Basi, The Bam Collective, Sevon Dejana, Mmuso Maxwell, Mowalola, and Priya Ahluwalia, who unveiled bold collections that blended African heritage, sustainability, contemporary tailoring, and vibrant design innovation.

The event featured a vibrant marketplace where guests explored a wide range of apparel, accessories, and ready-to-wear pieces from both emerging and established fashion entrepreneurs, reinforcing the event’s mission to drive business growth and consumer engagement within Nigeria’s creative sector.

Renowned London-based menswear designer, Bianca Saunders, during her masterclass, spoke on the topic, “The Business of Creativity; Scaling a Fashion Brand Beyond Wholesale”, urging emerging fashion entrepreneurs to build their brands with purpose, financial discipline, and authenticity.

As the founder of an eponymous label that has garnered international acclaim for its innovative fusion of British tailoring and Jamaican heritage, Saunders shared her insights on navigating the complexities of the fashion industry.

Saunders emphasised that having a clear “why” is essential for any fashion entrepreneur. “You want to create something new but also with purpose,” she said. “What is the point of making it, to be stylish or to inspire people who speak to your world? Having a strong reason for what you do is really important.” This sense of purpose will not only guide the creative direction of the brand but also serve as a motivating force during challenging times.

Saunders also stressed the importance of financial discipline in building a successful fashion brand. “Fashion and money can go very quickly,” she cautioned. “It’s a very expensive industry. You need to be cautious about how you manage your finances, and only take loans when it’s necessary.”

This prudent approach will help entrepreneurs avoid financial pitfalls and ensure the long-term sustainability of their brand.

In addition to purpose and financial discipline, Saunders emphasised the importance of authenticity and professionalism in building a fashion brand.

“Looking big doesn’t mean pretending,” she said. “It’s about being professional, from your visuals to how your brand aligns with others you aspire to stand beside.”

By presenting a cohesive and professional image, brands can establish trust with their audience and differentiate themselves in a crowded market.

Throughout her career, Saunders has faced numerous challenges, from building her brand from scratch to navigating the complexities of the fashion industry. However, her perseverance and dedication have paid off, with her label earning major global recognitions, including the ANDAM Grand Prix and the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund.

Bianca Saunders’ insights offer valuable lessons for emerging fashion entrepreneurs. By building their brands with purpose, financial discipline, and authenticity, they can create a strong foundation for success and establish themselves as leaders in the industry. As the fashion landscape continues to evolve, brands need to stay true to their vision and values while adapting to the changing needs of their audience. With dedication and hard work, fashion entrepreneurs can achieve their goals and make a lasting impact on the industry.

On maintaining a professional brand image, Saunders encouraged small designers to project excellence through digital presence and presentation. “Looking big doesn’t mean pretending. It’s about being professional, from your visuals to how your brand aligns with others you aspire to stand beside,” she added.

As a successful designer, Saunders has earned major global recognition, and her collections have been widely praised for redefining masculinity and advancing gender-fluid aesthetics.

The GTCO Fashion Weekend’s masterclass session was an unforgettable experience, showcasing the artistry and expertise of some of the world’s top makeup artists. With rich content, inspiring stories, and infectious energy, the event was a celebration of creativity, innovation, and self-expression.

As the fashion industry continues to evolve, events like the GTCO Fashion Weekend play a crucial role in shaping its future, providing a platform for creatives to come together, learn, and grow. The masterclass epitomised the power of fashion to inspire and empower.

As the curtain closes on another successful edition, we can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next one.