LFW 2025 Trend Report: Aso Òkè and The New Face of Woven Heritage
Tradition Transformed
At Lagos Fashion Week 2025, the presence of Aso Òkè—the Yoruba "top cloth" with centuries of history—went far beyond traditional ceremonial wear. The trend confirmed its status as the ultimate luxury investment textile of the season, showcasing itself in modern, structurally refined silhouettes that spoke directly to a global, contemporary consumer. This is a movement about preserving history by innovating its form.
Designers focused heavily on technical innovation and ethical production. Brands like Pepper Row showcased this neo-luxury sustainable approach, blending Aso Òkè alongside other local materials with innovative tie-dye and draping techniques, underscoring the fabric's versatility.
The application of the fabric was elevated through meticulous detailing and modern adaptation. Hertunba’s Creative Director, Florentina Agu, demonstrated this by incorporating Aso Òkè and Akwete, elevating them through signature interlaced geometric patterns and technical manipulation. The material’s potential for modern fashion was clear across the showcases: Éso by Liman proved its versatility with a beautiful striped and tiered mini-dress, while Dimeji Ilori continued to weave stories of heritage through hand-woven Aso Òkè, showing its powerful contemporary potential. Even everyday luxury was addressed, with FIA featuring the fabric in sharp, modern two-piece sets.
An Aso Òkè piece is not susceptible to fleeting trends; its value is inherent in its cultural legacy and the painstaking process of its creation. The ongoing innovation in its application ensures that a contemporary Aso Òkè piece is a durable, valuable cultural asset that transcends seasonal shifts and maintains strong long-term market desirability.
