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Qasimi Rising has partnered with Lagos Fashion Week in the hopes of scouting exciting emerging talent from the region. By offering designers a clear pathway to apply for its 2026 incubator programme, Qasimi Rising’s aim is to empower talent and help them expand their international recognition.
Qasimi Rising launched in 2022, spearheaded by Qasimi creative director Hoor Al-Qasimi, who took over from her brother Khalid Al-Qasimi (second son of Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, ruler of Sharjah in the UAE) after he passed away in 2019. Khalid had founded the label in 2015. The incubator is a way to use Qasimi’s resources and honour the late designer’s memory.
Ten designers will be selected by the Lagos Fashion Week team to showcase their collections in the Qasimi Rising lounge during the October event. They’ll join one-on-one workshops with Qasimi Rising mentors and key press to identify the challenges they are facing and will be offered advice to support their growth. By engaging with Qasimi Rising mentors, the selected designers will also have the opportunity to learn more about the application process for the 2026 programme.
The two winning designers selected for Qasimi Rising’s incubation scheme in 2026 will be mentored for three years, with the option to extend the mentorship for an additional seven. Qasimi Rising does not disclose the specificities around the size of financial investment brands receive, but the agreed investment will be given to brands over six instalments across a three-year period. Some of the other resources Qasimi Rising offers include a co-working space and studio, production, product development, merchandising, marketing and business-function support from a number of industry leaders.
Qasimi Rising has brought Lagos Fashion Week founder Omoyemi Akerele on board as regional ambassador and advisor of the programme. “Lagos Fashion Week is dedicated to promoting emerging talent in the region. This partnership with Qasimi Rising will undoubtedly empower these designers and set them on the path to success,” Akerele said in a statement.
Lagos Fashion Week has been running annually since 2011, creating a growing buzz in West Africa’s biggest fashion capital. Last year’s event featured almost 50 runway shows and presentations, drawing in around 4,400 attendees and sponsorships by Heineken and Bioderma, among others. Despite that, Nigeria’s economic challenges weigh on designers, particularly those whose businesses are smaller, and Lagos Fashion Week lacks presence from international buyers.
Qasimi Rising accepts applications from designers who have completed at least three seasons at the time of application, and will evaluate them based on creativity, aesthetic sense, craftsmanship and being a responsible entrepreneur with a clear path for future growth, according to creative director Hoor. She expects around 100 applications for the 2026 edition.
In March 2023, the incubator announced its first winners: London-based Sudanese designer Omer Asim and Lebanese artisanal designer Salim Azzam (who has decided not to continue with the programme for personal reasons). With Qasimi Rising’s support, Asim recently relaunched his e-commerce site and collaborated with Scarlett Rouge, Michele Lamy’s daughter.
The partnership with Lagos Fashion Week is just the beginning. “At Qasimi Rising, our mission is to bring together talented designers from around the world, with a special focus on the Global South. We are dedicated to supporting emerging designers, especially in areas where resources are limited or unavailable,” Hoor says. “We are currently in discussions with several partners across different regions. Stay tuned for the big reveal as we finalise these partnerships and announce the new locations.”
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