Starting yesterday, Africa’s foremost creative convention, VVS Lagos, officially returns for its fifth edition, drawing one of the most prominent gatherings of fashion, arts, film, music, and tech. From July 5 to 12, 2026, the convergence is set to celebrate and empower African creatives through culture, community, opportunity and innovation. With this year’s edition themed “Afromodernism,” attendees can expect new and expanded developments, starting with the inaugural Luminary Awards.

The doors are open. Welcome to VVS Lagos 2026

Join us July 6–12 as we celebrate 5 years of African fashion, art, film, music, culture & innovation

Thanks to our partners, collaborators, creatives volunteers & community. Here’s to an unforgettable week🥂https://t.co/PbIoHJkR3k pic.twitter.com/hwv3N8VelC

— VVS Lagos (@vvslagos) July 5, 2026

Since its debut in 2022, VVS Lagos has significantly evolved from a convention into a Lagos-wide cultural festival. But this year’s edition takes a new direction, with the Founder’s Reception held at Alliance Française, Ikoyi, Lagos, marking the Opening Ceremony and the unveiling of the Luminary Awards.

The inaugural Award ceremony featured a series of honorary awards celebrating exceptional brands and playmakers across the arts, fashion, music, creative business, and creative technology within the African ecosystem.

The award categories included: Emerging Music Artist of the Year, Excellence in Film & Screen Storytelling, Contemporary Visual Artist of the Year, Fashion Designer Excellence Award (Marie Clair), Innovation and Technology Excellence Award.

Hosted by Amanda Dara, the ceremony was set to include a cocktail reception and networking, press interviews, a podcast, and performances from fast-rising artist Liya and comedian Makinde David.

Further into the event was the screening of VVS: The Journey, a cinematic retrospective celebrating the evolution of VVS Lagos from across its 5-year span and the movement that has been built across fashion, music, art, film, and culture. This followed the keynote address by the office of the Honorable Minister of Culture, represented by the Special Adviser, Moriam Ajaga, which delved into “The future of Nigeria’s creative economy.” Brand partners Air Peace, British Council, and Gaga Agency were not left out, offering their remarks on building a strategic partnership with VVS.

A highlight of the evening was the launch of the VVS Lagos App, featuring a product demonstration and a launch video that introduced guests to the platform that will power the future of the VVS community.

As a platform for sustaining the growing creative network, the mobile was projected to offer creator profiles, a marketplace for creative opportunities, and community features set to orchestrate future expansion into Africa’s leading platform connecting creatives, brands, investors, and opportunities.

The ceremony drew to a close with the biggest moment of the night, the Luminary Awards. Amongst the award recipients were Big Cabal’s Founder Tomiwa Aladekomo, who won the Innovation and Technology Excellence Award; Fimi, who won the Emerging Artist of the Year; Floryntina, who won the Fashion Designer Excellence Award (Marie Clair) for her brand Hertunba; and Anthony Azekwo, who was awarded the Contemporary Visual Artist of the Year.

In concluding the event, the Founder of VVS Lagos, Emeka Ifeanyi Nwune, gave his speech, exploring the “Beyond Festivals: Building the Financial Infrastructure of Africa’s Creative Economy.” In his address, he reflected on the VVS Lagos’ five-year history, while disputing the challenge of Africa as a capital and the lack of creativity, citing success stories from the ecosystem.

He further revealed the roadmap to the VVS Creative Fund, calling for investors, institutions and founders to help finance Africa’s next generation of creative businesses. The event ended on a high note with closing remarks.

With the opening ceremony kick-starting the VVS Lagos 2026 edition, attendees can expect a lineup of activities, including a runway show, an art exhibition, a luxury pop-up, Future Labs (Fashion Exhibition), a film experience, and an after-party, among other institutional and commercial partnerships, held across key locations in Lagos.

Over the years, VVS Lagos has established an annual event built to liberate African creativity across sectors. And this year is no less, as it continues to build systems and avenues to connect African creativity with audiences, businesses, and distribution to the world.