Frank Aghuno is a Nigerian fashion designer whose Lagos-based label, Fruché, has become one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary African fashion.
A self-taught designer, Aghuno established the brand in 2018 while studying finance at the University of Lagos, having first shown a collection at Lagos Fashion Week in 2014. He began designing at the age of 11, cutting up his mother’s ankara wrappers and sewing them into dresses by hand.
Fruché, whose name combines his English name with his Igbo name Uche, is known for sculptural silhouettes, intricate knot detailing, and a refusal to follow the conventional codes of Nigerian ready-to-wear. Aghuno has described his signature knotwork as a form of rebellion, a way of merging different styles into a single garment that feels new in the Nigerian market.
His work draws heavily on personal memory and heritage. The influence of his mother, a former fashion designer, runs through everything he creates, and his collections often explore identity, body image, and self-acceptance through references to Nigerian school uniforms, Aso Oke, and Adire.
In 2025, his approach earned him the Jury’s Favourite Prize at Africa Fashion Up, an award that placed him on the Parisian fashion map and signalled his readiness for a wider stage.
