Wizkid, Stephen Tayo and Ireti Zaccheus were inducted into the Business of Fashion 500 list

Nigerian superstar, Wizkid, photographer Stephen Tayo, and entrepreneur Ireti Zaccheus have been inducted into the prestigious Business of Fashion (BoF) 500 list for 2024. The BoF 500 is a globally recognized index of the people shaping the $2.5 trillion fashion industry, highlighting influential figures from different fields who are transforming fashion, art, and culture.

Wizkid (Ayodeji Balogun) has been celebrated not just for his music but for his growing influence in fashion, especially his collaboration with brands like Nike and his overall impact on Afrobeats culture and global pop trends.

Stephen Tayo is an acclaimed Nigerian photographer whose work focuses on vibrant street and youth culture in Lagos. His eye for detail and representation of African identity has earned him a spot on this prestigious list.

He was inducted under the creative class category

Ireti Zaccheus is the founder of Street Souk, a platform that promotes streetwear culture in Nigeria. Through this initiative, she has successfully created a space for local talent to shine, helping to foster and elevate Nigeria’s streetwear scene on the global stage. She was also inducted under the catalyst category. 

Their induction into the BoF 500 showcases their contribution to blending fashion, culture, and business, further highlighting Nigeria’s growing influence in the global creative space.

BoF Class of 2024

The BoF (Business of Fashion) 500 Gala is a prestigious annual event celebrating the most influential people shaping the global fashion industry. Held during Paris Fashion Week, the event recognizes trailblazers from around the world, including designers, executives, and other creatives who have made a significant impact in fashion. Attendees ranged from top models and musicians to fashion icons, with celebrities like Wizkid, Grace Ladoja, Future, Victoria Beckham,  Kylie Jenner, Ashley Graham, and Yseult walking the red carpet in stunning designer outfits. 

Wizkid dressed in Chanel performed his hit singles, “Ojuelegba” and “Essence” 

This year, figures from Africa’s creative industries were also spotlighted, including Wandia Gichuru, Founder & Chief Executive of Vivo Fashion Group; Laduma Ngxokolo, designer at MaXhosa Africa; Maryse Mbonyumutwa, founder of Pink Mango & Asantii further highlighting the event’s global reach.

The gala itself not only celebrates fashion but also fosters creativity, innovation, and collaboration across the industry. It’s renowned for its glamorous red carpet moments, where guests showcase the latest trends and avant-garde designs. The BoF 500 list, unveiled at the event, is an index of influential individuals pushing boundaries in the fashion world, from emerging talents to established leaders.