Celebrating Cultural Threads: A Recap of the UDGN SS26 Catwalk Show at London Fashion Week
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, the Unity in Design Global Network (UDGN) unveiled its highly anticipated Cultural Threads SS26 catwalk show during London Fashion Week, captivating attendees with a vibrant display of cultural heritage and innovative design. Held at the historic Ladbroke Hall, the event served as a powerful platform for showcasing fashion that intertwines craftsmanship, identity, and storytelling.
The Cultural Threads runway transformed into a dynamic canvas, celebrating the artistry of minority-led designers and their unique narratives. With an emphasis on heritage and innovation, the showcase marked a significant moment in the evolution of fashion storytelling, highlighting the voices and visions of those often underrepresented in the industry.
About UDGN: A Champion for Global Minority Design
The Unity in Design Global Network (UDGN) is a pioneering fashion platform dedicated to reshaping the future of fashion by centering the experiences of minority designers worldwide. Operating as both a Community Interest Company (CIC) and a limited entity, UDGN provides essential support, including technical assistance, business development, wellness care, and high-level public relations, through an innovative incubator-to-showcase model.
Meet the Visionary Behind UDGN: Tare Isaac
Founded by the award-winning designer and British Fashion Council member Tare Isaac, UDGN aims to create tangible pathways for growth and recognition for independent, diaspora-rooted fashion talent. The Cultural Threads showcase marked the debut of UDGN’s flagship incubator program, presenting 16 talented designers whose works are deeply embedded in cultural heritage and innovative design. Drawing inspiration from her own Ijaw heritage, Tare Isaac envisioned UDGN as the platform she once needed—a bridge between talent and opportunity for designers frequently overlooked by the mainstream fashion narrative.
Spotlight on Designers and Collections: SS26 Highlights
The SS26 showcase featured an array of breathtaking collections that resonated with cultural significance and artistic expression:
The UDGN Designers
MOTUNRAYO (@shop_motunrayo) by Motunrayo Ajayi: “Of Water and Spirit” draws inspiration from the sacred Osun Festival, blending ritualistic elegance with contemporary silhouettes to channel spiritual purity and divine femininity.
AYAH (@ayahintl) by Ebimobowei Daukoru Ayah: “The Fisherman’s Echo” reflects the riverside life of the Niger Delta, capturing the resilience of river communities through rich textures and colours.
ZUBERE (@zu_be_re) by Nancy Chizubere Johnson-Chidiadi: “ULO NWAANYI – The Woman’s Homecoming” celebrates the Igbo bride’s ceremonial entrance, embodying joy and matriarchal strength through vibrant textiles.
MIDETUSH (@midetushbespoke) by Olumide Oyewumi: “Air and Stripes” explores the interplay of Yoruba cultural heritage and modern urban style, resulting in garments that feel both timeless and contemporary.
BOLA (@bolasulleman) by Omobolanle Sulleman: “Inheritance” transforms the communal elegance of the Ojude Oba Festival into wearable legacy, where each detail speaks of history and pride.
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- BOLA
KAYPEEFOOTWEARS (@kaypeefootwears) by Kolapo Omoyoloye: “APATA – Legacy Underfoot” draws inspiration from Yorubaland’s rugged terrains, blending durability with symbolic detail in a stunning footwear line.
– JERMAINE BLEU (@jermainebleu) by Jason Jermaine Asiedu: “Twa Me Foto” is a joyful celebration of self-expression and personal style, with vintage hues and romantic flair capturing unforgettable moments.
ROBES AND BLINGS BY AKOKOMALI (@robesandblingsbyakokomali) by Olaitan Maria Olatoke: “TIWA N TIWA (Ours is Ours)” reclaims ritualistic white cloth, turning it into a powerful symbol of resistance and womanhood.
– LEKAN AARE (@lekan_aare) by Lekan Aare: “Homage to the King” reimagines masculine elegance through tailored lines and opulent textiles, paying tribute to Yoruba nobility.
– PEM (@pem.couture) by Princess Mary Obeya: “The Spirit Wears Red” celebrates Idoma women, capturing their generational beauty and strength through striking crimson tones.
OOMO AJADI (@oomoajadi) by Yusuf Kareem: “White Race: The Eco Spirit Walks” intertwines spiritual tradition with minimalism, transforming fabric into sacred language.
OBIREEN (@obireen) by Salami Oluwaseun: “Okpa n’Iyoba – Strength of a Queen” marries traditional royal motifs with modern ceremonial elegance, drawing from the legacy of Queen Idia of Benin.
THE IDEAL CRAFTSMAN (@theidealcraftsman) by Olutoba Odetomi: “The Five” offers a refined homage to Yoruba spirituality, merging cultural depth with contemporary menswear.
ANKU (@ankustudio) by Kelvin Vincent: “Woven Stories” layers textures and tones to narrate a tale of intergenerational wisdom and cultural pride.
ITELE (@itele_) by Seyi Agboola: “Freedom” uses bold forms and rich textiles to tell Nigeria’s journey from colonial influence to independence, celebrating resilience and unity.
TWIN BY TARE ISAAC (@twinbytare) by Tare Isaac: “The Water Bearer” evokes movement and feminine power, honouring the Ijaw people’s relationship with the sea through tactile elegance.
The UDGN Cultural Threads showcase highlighted the incredible talent, rich storytelling, and exquisite craftsmanship that are shaping the future of fashion. These designers represent a new wave of creative leadership, and we are thrilled to have presented their work on one of the industry’s most respected platforms.
For further information about UDGN, please contact us at info@unitydesignglobalnetwork or follow us on Instagram @udgn.global. Visit our website at http://www.unitydesignglobalnetwork.com for more updates.
Show Credits:
Makeup Artists: Loretta Agyemang, Sarah Agbiji, Josephine Blades, Amber Wilson, Morẹ́nikẹ́ Akinnawonu, Ana Rocha, Sindi Zulu, Daniela Le.
Hair Artists: Cherie Odunayo, Tinofara, Christabel Okoye, Toyosi Agbaniyaka, Emeline Betzie.
Join us as we continue to celebrate diversity in fashion and uplift the narratives that deserve to be heard!
