In the age of digital dominance and cultural crossover, Afrobeats has emerged as more than a musical genre—it is now a cultural vehicle, a lifestyle, and increasingly, a fashion statement. With its roots firmly planted in West Africa, and its reach now global, Afrobeats has become a silent but powerful disruptor of the traditionally Western-dominated fashion industry. Nowhere is this impact more visible than on the runways of Paris, the historical home of haute couture, and Lagos, the pulsating creative heart of Africa.

Paris: The Fashion Establishment Welcomes a New Beat

In recent years, Paris Fashion Week—long considered the pinnacle of global fashion influence—has undergone a subtle but undeniable shift. Alongside the customary front rows filled with European editors and Hollywood celebrities, a new group has emerged: Afrobeats artists. Their presence is not tokenistic, nor merely performative. It is strategic, deliberate, and increasingly influential.

Burna Boy’s appearance as a runway model for Off-White during Paris Fashion Week 2025 marked more than a personal style milestone—it signalled a broader industry pivot. Dressed in a structured black leather ensemble, complete with oversized boots and sunglasses, Burna’s look straddled rebellion and refinement. Off-White’s choice to feature him was not coincidental; it was symbolic. Under the legacy of Virgil Abloh—a designer who built bridges between streetwear and high fashion, between Black culture and the runway—Off-White continues to embrace narratives rooted in identity, heritage, and rebellion. Burna Boy’s cultural weight, musical clout, and style confidence made him an ideal figure to extend that legacy.

Elsewhere in Paris, Omah Lay’s attendance at shows for 3.Paradis and KidSuper hinted at a growing alignment between Afrobeats artists and new-gen designers exploring diasporic identity through fashion. His red-and-cream checkered suit and streetwear-inspired fits mirrored the duality of many African youth—urban yet rooted, global yet local.

Tems, in a crisp white textured Jacquemus set, brought understated elegance to the scene, while Uncle Waffles, a leading Amapiano DJ, provided the soundtrack to the Jacquemus after-party—an important reminder that African artists are no longer guests in the house of fashion; they are now curators of the experience.

Meanwhile, Davido, donning an all-Amiri ensemble, caused a social media stir with his sleek, monochrome look. The virality of his Paris appearance speaks volumes about the influence Afrobeats stars wield—not only within the music space but in setting and popularising luxury streetwear trends. His casual confidence, walking through crowds with cameras flashing, demonstrated the power of celebrity fashion moments that are authentic, unforced, and globally appealing.

Lagos: Where Music and Fashion Have Always Danced Together

While Paris validates fashion, Lagos originates it.

In many ways, the Afrobeats-fashion connection isn’t a new phenomenon in Nigeria—it’s a continuation. Lagos has long been a fertile ground for fashion experimentation, cultural fusion, and unapologetic self-expression. But with Afrobeats now holding global influence, the city’s fashion week is beginning to attract international eyes.

At Lagos Fashion Week 2024, Davido returned home—not just to perform, but to walk the runway. His choice to model for renowned Nigerian designer Ugo Monye was symbolic. Draped in an intricately embroidered kimono inspired by traditional Yoruba motifs, Davido didn’t just wear Nigerian fashion—he embodied it. His appearance also served as a deeply personal tribute; Monye designed Davido’s wedding attire, and this creative partnership stood as a poignant reminder of how music, fashion, and culture are interconnected in everyday Nigerian life.

There was more to the Lagos shows than celebrity spectacle. They offered a vision of inclusivity and innovation. Plus-size models, androgynous silhouettes, and gender-fluid designs reflected the forward-thinking nature of African fashion—often underestimated by the Western industry. The presence of Afrobeats stars on and off the runway only amplified this momentum, drawing global media, buyers, and collaborators to the continent.

And it’s not just in Nigeria. Ayra Starr, representing the next generation of stylish Afrobeats stars, closed the Di Petsa show at London Fashion Week 2025 in a lace and sheer ensemble that perfectly captured her sensual yet ethereal persona. The Di Petsa collection, centred around themes of feminine energy and desire, found a kindred spirit in Ayra, whose music and fashion choices often challenge norms with grace and audacity.

From Walks to Wardrobes: Afrobeats Artists as Fashion Curators

Afrobeats artists aren’t only appearing at fashion shows—they’re designing, directing, and collaborating. In the last five years, we’ve seen an impressive roster of partnerships:

• Wizkid’s StarBoy x Puma sold out in minutes in 2020.
• Tems became a global ambassador for Tommy Jeans in 2022.
• Davido’s creative director role at Puma Sportstyle in 2023 deepened his fashion credibility.
• His earlier collaboration with Orange Culture for a Selfridges capsule blurred the lines between pop culture and high fashion.
• Burna Boy’s Burberry campaign brought heritage British tailoring into conversation with Afrofusion swagger.
• Rema’s collection with BoohooMAN spoke to the fast fashion audience with Afrobeats flavour.

These collaborations are not vanity projects; they’re commercial successes. They reflect the industry’s recognition of the Afrobeats fanbase as loyal, fashion-forward, and global.

The Bigger Picture: Music as Muse, Culture as Currency

What we’re witnessing isn’t merely a moment—it’s a movement. The Afrobeats-fuelled fashion renaissance challenges long-standing hierarchies in the industry. It asks Paris to listen, not dictate. It invites Lagos to lead, not follow.

This dual influence—Paris as validator, Lagos as originator—creates a fascinating loop. Music fuels fashion. Fashion elevates music. Artists become brands. Designers become storytellers. It is a dynamic that reflects not only the success of Afrobeats but the shifting nature of cultural power.

And perhaps most significantly, it proves that style doesn’t only come from legacy houses or editorial pages—it comes from soundwaves, street corners, dancefloors, and diaspora.