5 things to expect from the highly-anticipated fashion event

The excitement of fashion week is always palpable. The anticipation of the fun and the fashion is undeniable and we have waited for a long time for the return of legendary fashion event, Arise Fashion Week. As it draws nearer, we take a look at the 5 things to expect from the highly anticipated event.

Africa’s premier fashion show, ARISE Fashion Week (AFW), is set to deliver one of its most exciting line-ups to date, when it returns to Lagos on March 30 to April 2 at the Lagos Continental Hotel (formerly Intercontinental Hotel). We have an excellent line-up to look forward to but these 5? These 5 deserve a special mention.

1. Did someone say Laquan Smith?

New York City-based designer LaQuan Smith is inspired by utterly glamorous women. His brand is stylish, modern and unapologetically sexy and for the second time, he will be showing his collection in Lagos.

Born in St. Albans, Queens, in New York City, LaQuan, 27, held his first Fashion Week show at the precocious age of 21. He’s already dressed Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, and Gabby Douglas, and considers women like Kendall Jenner and Magic Johnson's daughter Elisa his muses.

Model of the moment Aduke made time stand still as she strutted down the runway in a high-waisted latex Laquan Smith body and it's time to do it all over again. Laquan will bring his A game and we absolutely cannot wait.

2. The plus size revolution

The ATCL Collectiveis back again to give us some much needed representation on the runway and throughout the fashion industry. The initiative, spearheaded by media veteran Latasha Ngwube, popularly known as Latasha Lagos, sheds some much needed light on the issue of plus size women and men being acknowledged in an industry that they so richly contribute to.

ATCL aims to show that plus size designers do exist as do their customers and whilst the industry was traditionally geared towards sample size, more and more designers and insiders are dedicated to steering the vision towards something more realistic and representative. This year, ARISE is providing that platform for the collective to drive forward their very pertinent and necessary message.

3. Ozwald Boateng takes us to Wakanda

Ozwald Boateng, the man, the myth, the legend. Ozwald has been a veteran in the fashion industry and recently the British- Ghanaian designer made his mark on the record-breaking 'Black Panther' film by taking his amazing designs to the fictional country of Wakanda.

A scene featured in a teaser for the film depicts a man with a large ornate lip plate wearing a very sharp teal suit. It turns out the suit is a custom piece by renowned designer .

Boateng's use of colour, cut and fabric fuses traditional classic British tailoring with high-end modern design. He was the first black man to set up a store on the famous tailor's row, Saville Row and the fashion trailblazer has always focused on bringing his artistry to the male silhouette and breathed new life into a new generation of tailoring and menswear.

4. Tinie Tempah

Not much is known about what exactly Tinie will be doing at ARISE but we are certain it's going to be legendary. The 'Pass Out' rapper has had successful fashion pop-ups and brand collaborations in the past and has his finger firmly on the pulse of style for young men.

Tinie, whose real name is Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, may be performing or he may be debuting something very special. Either way, we know it's something you cannot afford to miss.

5. The designer OG's

In the midst of it all, we cannot forget to give praise to the designers that have been paying their dues since the very beginning and have paved the way for the fashion industry as we know it today. Designers such as Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Ituen Basi and Lisa Folawiyoshowed when ARISE first started in Lagos and as it returns, so do they.

They're still very much an integral part of the fabric of the Nigerian fashion industry and continue to exemplify the very best of Nigerian fashion design and creativity.