American R&B icon Ciara stole the spotlight at Lagos Fashion Week 2025, but this time, her outfit was more than a fashion statement—it was a cultural celebration.
The singer stepped out in a breathtaking custom couture gown by Nigerian designer Sandrah Tubobereni, creative director of TUBỌ, inspired by the Iria ceremony of the Ijaw people in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
A Gown That Spoke Heritage
The Iria ceremony is a revered rite of passage marking the transition of young Ijaw women into adulthood. Tubobereni drew from this tradition to craft a gown that fused ancestral symbolism with modern elegance. The dress—featuring a structured corset bodice, gold and russet sequins, and delicate draping of George fabric—mirrored the Iria maiden’s symbolic body art while transforming it into a couture masterpiece.
“We explored the sacredness of womanhood through the Iria tradition,” Tubobereni explained. “With Ciara’s look, we wanted to tell a story of identity, evolution, and grace. It’s about honoring the female form in its purest expression.”
Ciara’s Cultural Homecoming
For Ciara, the look carried deep personal significance. Earlier in 2025, she discovered through a DNA test that her lineage traces back to Benin, West Africa, leading her to obtain Beninese citizenship in July. Her Lagos trip, which included visits to art galleries, local markets, and cultural centers, became a journey of rediscovery—one that merged her African roots with her global artistry.
By donning Tubobereni’s Iria-inspired creation, Ciara became a bridge between worlds—representing how fashion can unify history, identity, and storytelling.
A Defining Fashion Moment
Ciara’s appearance closed the Fruché show, marking one of the most talked-about moments of the event. Her presence on the runway—glittering in gold and symbolism—was described by Tubobereni as a moment where “the Iria maiden went global.”
Fashion media around the world echoed that sentiment. Marie Claire Nigeria called it “a love letter to her African roots,” while Vogue Africa described the look as “an exquisite fusion of heritage and haute couture.”
More than just a stunning outfit, Ciara’s Lagos Fashion Week look was a celebration of African femininity, artistry, and ancestral pride—a moment where the past and present danced together under the Lagos lights.
