Casa Moda Lucas Escalada has successfully concluded an extraordinary week of fashion, culture, art, and tourism promotion that transformed the cities of Malabo and Bata into vibrant hubs of creativity and international cultural exchange. Held from June 6 to June 13, 2026, the series of events, led by renowned Equatorial Guinean designer and cultural entrepreneur Lucas Nguema Escalada, showcased the growing influence of the country’s creative industries while reinforcing Equatorial Guinea’s position as an emerging destination for major cultural and fashion events in Africa.
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Through a carefully curated program that combined fashion shows, cultural activities, international collaborations, and tourism promotion, Casa Moda Lucas Escalada demonstrated the power of fashion as a tool for economic development, cultural diplomacy, and artistic expression. The week’s activities began on June 6 at the iconic Malabo Seafront Promenade with the presentation of the collection Nacer y Renacer (“Born and Reborn”), a fashion showcase organized in commemoration of the birthday of His Excellency Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
Designed by Lucas Escalada, the collection conveyed themes of resilience, transformation, and hope through a sophisticated blend of African identity, contemporary elegance, and haute couture craftsmanship. The runway presentation attracted government officials, members of the diplomatic community, media representatives, fashion enthusiasts, and invited guests.
The event, hosted by Reina Rilopa, served not only as a celebration of fashion but also as a platform to promote Equatorial Guinea’s cultural richness and tourism potential.
The momentum continued on June 12 in Bata with the official inauguration of Casa Moda Lucas Escalada’s new headquarters located at AOA Village on the city’s seafront. The opening represented a significant milestone in the expansion of the fashion house and its long-term commitment to developing the creative industry in Equatorial Guinea.
The ceremony began with a blessing of the new facilities conducted by Father José Antonio Vega, a Salesian priest and parish priest of María Auxiliadora in Bata, who offered prayers for the success of the project and its future contributions to society.
Following the inauguration, organizers officially introduced the international designers invited to participate in MODATUR 2026, an event that has increasingly established itself as one of the country’s most important fashion platforms.
The international delegation included:
• Lucas Escalada (Equatorial Guinea)
• Frank Nnamdi Osodi – House of Bunor (Nigeria)
• Bright Nzenwa – Elbryt Fashion Brand (Nigeria)
• Ekong Ekong Okon – KG’z Opulence (Nigeria)
• Sabina Iyoso Mukwelle – M.Sabi Designs (Cameroon)
The gathering provided an opportunity for designers, institutions, media organizations, and business partners to strengthen professional networks and explore future collaborations aimed at promoting African fashion and cultural integration.
The highlight of the week took place on June 13 with the International Fashion Show MODATUR 2026 at the Grand Hotel Bata. The prestigious event brought together leading fashion designers from across Africa to showcase their latest collections before an audience composed of government officials, business leaders, diplomats, media professionals, and fashion enthusiasts.
Throughout the evening, guests experienced a diverse range of contemporary African fashion, with each collection reflecting unique cultural influences while embracing innovation, sustainability, and modern design trends.
The gala was hosted by renowned television presenter Trifonia Flora Mangue Nguema Mokuy, whose professionalism and elegance added to the prestige of the event. Opening remarks were delivered by the General Manager of Grand Hotel Bata and Lucas Nguema Escalada, both of whom emphasized the growing importance of fashion as a driver of tourism, entrepreneurship, cultural exchange, and economic diversification.
Beyond the runway, the evening also featured performances by celebrated artists Presentación Obono, Ivi_Lanez, Nene Bantu, and Cirilo Bee “Beto Nass,” creating a dynamic fusion of music, fashion, and African culture that captivated attendees.
The event concluded with Lucas Escalada’s acclaimed collection Nacer y Renacer, which delivered an emotional finale through designs that symbolized renewal, hope, and transformation. The collection received enthusiastic applause and was widely regarded as one of the defining moments of the week.
The success of the events highlighted the growing role of fashion as a catalyst for development in Equatorial Guinea. Industry stakeholders noted that fashion events of this scale generate economic activity across multiple sectors, including hospitality, transportation, tourism, media, entertainment, and creative services.
By attracting international designers, artists, and visitors, the initiative contributed to promoting Equatorial Guinea’s image abroad while creating opportunities for local talent and businesses.
Casa Moda Lucas Escalada expressed gratitude to the institutions and organizations whose support made the ambitious program possible. Special recognition was extended to the Ministry of Information, Press and Culture, Grand Hotel Bata, Grand Hotel Djibloho, FlyGabon, Ceiba Intercontinental, CFAO Mobility, the Spanish Cultural Center in Bata (CCEB), AOA Village, Perla Home, BVN Eventos, and Lucas Escalada Management. The organization also thanked the media, sponsors, volunteers, technical teams, models, makeup artists, stylists, photographers, performers, production crews, and all collaborators who contributed to the success of the week.
Reflecting on the achievements of the program, Lucas Nguema Escalada described the initiative as another important step toward establishing Equatorial Guinea as a leading destination for fashion, culture, and tourism in Africa.
The successful completion of the activities between June 6 and June 13 reinforces Casa Moda Lucas Escalada’s growing reputation as an international platform that connects creativity, entrepreneurship, cultural identity, and development. More importantly, it demonstrates how African talent continues to drive innovation, foster cooperation, and create new opportunities for growth across the continent. As Equatorial Guinea’s fashion industry continues to evolve, the achievements of this historic week offer a glimpse into a future where culture, creativity, and tourism work hand in hand to strengthen the country’s position on the regional and global stage.
