This year’s La mode Green October event held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island on the 1st of October 2026 was focused on inclusion. Through the aim of promoting diversity in the creative space.
The event kicked off which women modelling La Mode clothing, adored in white singlets and blue jeans with the logo printed on their outfits. As disabled speakers graced the audience with why they matter in the community; adding what they bring to it. The host, Sandra Odige, spoke about a unified creative culture in the fashion industry.
Among the Next Rated nominees was Linda Elumebeh Omeke, a rising figure in the fashion industry. The nominees came up one at a time to show their designs, under the chandeliers on a long white runway. Afterwards they were called back to the stage together, and the winner was announced: Linda Elumebeh Omeke, of Legs Apparel Fashion School.
It’s worth describing that Linabi design by Linda Elumebeh Omeke stood out in its entirety. It was a long green gown, off the shoulder, with bands of bright green around the upper arms and a draped, ruffled front panel in the same green. The body of the dress was fitted, running down into a fishtail with a short train. The fabric carried a round, medallion-style print in lighter green with warm brown and gold tones. Accompanied by embellishment worked into it that caught the stage lights. Chic is the word that fits.
Green was a deliberate choice, and an obvious one for this event. It is the colour of Green October, and La Mode says it stands for growth, harmony and new beginnings. For a brand that is under two years old, that is a fitting colour to walk in.
The second outfit was a bold study in asymmetry, cut from a deep navy wax print scattered with sunburst florals in turquoise and burnt orange. At first glance it reads as a sleek, streamlined silhouette, with a clean round neckline, a neat short sleeve on one side and a tailored line through the body. The drama arrived on the other shoulder, where a voluminous, sculptural sleeve billowed outward and balanced the look with architectural flair.
The real showpiece was the hand-finished detailing. A cascade of three-dimensional fabric flowers in coral and soft dove grey tumbled from the shoulder down the bodice, each one centred with a glinting bead. Besides them, silver chain-link trim cut a diagonal line across the torso to the hip, adding a touch of hardware edge to the romantic florals.
At the waist, a folded, pocket-like drape added volume and movement before the print continued into relaxed trousers that kept the whole ensemble grounded and wearable.
The styling was deliberately pared back so the garment could speak: a close-cropped hairstyle, a smoky bronze eye and a muted nude lip. Set against a warm, geometric wooden backdrop, the piece showed how traditional print could be reimagined as modern couture, playful in its embellishment yet confident in its structure.
Linabi is run by Linda and her sister, Abigail Nwakaegho Aireman, and they split the work clearly. Linda designs, and Abigail is the skilled tailor who turns the designs into finished clothes. They make African wear, crafts and jewellery for women, and describe the idea as a modern classic for women of African descent. They name Vivienne Westwood and Coco Chanel as inspirations.
The work shows how they handle heritage patterns beside western structure: a traditional print cut into a gown with a fishtail and an off-the-shoulder neckline. Crystallised stones are part of the finishing. Haute couture is something they say they want to move towards later, but for now that is a plan and not a collection.
The prize awarded is valued at ₦5 million, but only ₦500,000 is cash. The rest is a year of PR, a year of features across La Mode’s media, and a professional photoshoot. Linda received 45 per cent of the vote for Next Rated Fashion Designer, a clear share of public support for her and her sister’s craft. A winner chosen by votes reflects a growing following.
The sisters had won something before this. At the Science of Trade conference, they took a prize in a debate on how social media marketing helps upcoming fashion brands, speaking in front of industry experts. So they came to this award with some practice at making their case in public.
Linabi is still young. This prize, however, gives them a year of exposure from La Mode, and what they do with that year is what matters now. Similarly, when Tom Ford brought his ideology of Savile Row tailoring to trendy fashion. It was an unusual choice of combinations in fashion and was gradually embraced as he branched into more fashion pieces