Beyond the Catwalk” — highlighting the shift from surface-level fashion to the deeper stories of innovation, resilience, and reinvention led by women in the industry. Connect this to the spirit of International Women’s Day — a celebration not just of identity but of impact.
As we step into March 2025, the world gears up to celebrate International Women’s Day — a day that not only honors the achievements of women but also calls for continued progress, empowerment, and equity. This month, our magazine embraces the spirit of the moment with a bold and thought-provoking theme: Beyond the Catwalk.
For far too long, fashion has been seen only through the lens of trends, aesthetics, and glossy runway moments. But behind the spotlight lies a much richer narrative — one of innovation, resilience, and reinvention, especially by women who are not just dressing the world but designing its future.
In this special edition, we shift our gaze from surface-level style to the powerful stories driving the fashion and creative industries forward. From intellectual property in fashion, to female-led entrepreneurship, to policy shaping the future of sustainable style, we explore what it truly means to build a business — and a legacy — in today’s ever-evolving landscape.
At the heart of this issue is the idea that fashion is more than what we wear — it’s what we stand for. Women in fashion today are founders, technologists, IP strategists, investors, policy makers, and cultural changemakers. They are flipping old narratives and paving bold new paths where profit meets purpose.
Our cover story spotlights Toluwani Wabara, a trailblazer who exemplifies what it means to lead beyond the catwalk. Her story, along with the insights and case studies throughout this edition, will inspire readers to see fashion not just as an industry, but as a movement — one powered by the brilliance, strategy, and vision of women.
As you turn each page, we invite you to engage with fashion from a new perspective — one that honors the business behind the beauty, the law behind the label, and the vision behind every venture.
Flip It !
Fashion
Once a backstage stylist, now a bold disruptor in sustainable fashion, Toluwani Wabara has turned the runway on its head. Her story begins in Lagos and travels through global fashion capitals, not just redefining what we wear but how we think about fashion.
Toluwani Wabara’s entrepreneurial journey is a masterclass in transforming identity into impact. Born in Lagos, she grew up amidst color, culture, and contradictions— where Western beauty ideals overshadowed local brilliance. She began her career as a stylist backstage at local shows, but her dream extended far beyond assembling outfits. She envisioned fashion as a global dialogue that included and celebrated Afro-centric innovation.
While many sought opportunities abroad, Toluwani used global exposure to build local roots. Her break came when a Paris fashion house copied a traditional Nigerian silhouette. Rather than rage, she responded with resolve—launching a line that merged cultural heritage with legal protection. Her designs carried stories, and soon, her voice echoed louder than her fabric.
She was among the first in her circle to treat fashion as intellectual property. Registering her work, training her peers, and lobbying for policy change, Toluwani proved that design isn’t just creative— it’s capital. She brought fashion and law to the same runway, making protection as trendy as innovation.
As her label grew, so did her ambition. She collaborated with underrepresented artisans in Lagos and Nairobi, turning forgotten weaving techniques into luxury statements. From bold colors to blockchain tracking, her work fused tech with tradition, always with a purpose.
Toluwani didn’t just sell clothes—she redefined dignity. Her brand gave African women a way to wear their power, with pride. Through education, employment, and empowerment, she built a business model that is scalable, sustainable, and soulful.
Today, Toluwani Wabara isn’t just a designer. She’s a movement. Her journey reminds us that fashion isn’t frivolous—it’s a frontier. And women like her are boldly walking, dancing, and disrupting every step of the way.
Here’s to women who create, lead, and redefine the runway — in business, in law, and in life.
Women Entrepreneurs Foundation
Happy International Women’s Day.
Warmly,
The Editorial Team
Cover Page Feature
Women Entrepreneurs Foundation