While flashbulbs popped and fashion elites swarmed the main runway at the just-concluded GTCO Fashion Weekend (November 8—9, 2025), something refreshingly grassroots was unfolding on the sidelines — a newly introduced, rather brilliant section called the Streetwear Hub pavilion.
Here, a quieter kind of buzz was happening and the noise was different: tucked between racks of oversized tees, statement sneakers, and bold cultural mashups, lived a strong heartbeat of the weekend: small but mighty brands that told a bold story of Lagos fashion — ingenuity, grit, raw creativity, and entrepreneurial courage.
In this discovery zone, Victoria Uwadoka (Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria) took the spirit of citizen journalism to heart, exploring the booths and unearthing two standout small businesses that deserve a closer look:
First was Boots.NG — a curated trove of new and top-condition thrift boots ranging from ankle-length to knee-high and thigh-high styles. The brand’s stall was a visual feast: leather, suede, and statement footwear lined up in stylish defiance of tropical weather logic. For those who dare to wear boots in Lagos, this was the promised land. The Boot Store’s business model blends sustainability (through thrifted fashion) and accessibility (through pricing that invites the daring Lagos fashion crowd).
Then came Hajia Fragrance Booste — a sensory retreat describing its range as “a solution provider to relationships and an amazing accessory to homes.” One whiff and it’s clear they mean business. Each scent felt like a story — part oud, part nostalgia, all confidence. Beyond its playful claim, the brand is quietly redefining scent culture as both a mood enhancer and lifestyle statement.
These two, among other businesses located in the GTCO Streetwear Hub pavilion, remind us that while high fashion dazzles, an unmistakable pulse of Nigerian style often beats in the booths of small businesses — run by dreamers who build brands from hustle and faith.
This, right here, is The Alternative News — where we celebrate the finds that don’t make the press reports, but absolutely should.
ABOUT GTCO FASHION WEEKEND
The GTCO Fashion Weekend is a flagship annual event of Guaranty Trust Holding Company plc (GTCO), which first launched the event in 2016 under the original name “GTBank Fashion Weekend”. It is positioned not only as a fashion show but as a consumer-focused, enterprise-driven platform whose core mission is to support indigenous fashion businesses, promote African creativity, and give broad audience access (free entry, multiple zones) to Nigeria’s fashion ecosystem. From its inception, GTCO stated the theme “Promoting Enterprise” to emphasise this dual purpose of celebration + business development. Since 2016, the event has hosted more than 700,000 fashion enthusiasts, involved 410 small business owners, and engaged 69 industry leaders from 13 countries. The programme typically includes three core elements: Runway shows featuring both African and international designers, Masterclasses (for entrepreneurs and creatives covering design, branding, e-commerce, sustainability}, and Retail marketplaces (free or low-cost stalls) where small brands can showcase, sell, network. The event remains free for attendees, underpinning its inclusive access model. The GTCO Fashion Weekend 2025 was themed “Fashion Is Freedom”,