The Return of Checkerboard: Lagos’ New Obsession

Once upon a time, checkerboard prints lived quiet, humble lives. They were the pattern of school uniforms, the Sunday-best shirts our aunties insisted we wear, and the picnic blankets we didn’t realize were, in fact, fashion icons in waiting. But like all good comebacks, Lagos has taken what was ordinary and turned it into a moment. And not just any moment,a full-blown aesthetic takeover. The checkerboard trend started off simple, a skirt here, a dress there.

Then Rendoll brought their usual feminine touch to it, making the print look fresh and polished with their set. Studio Bonnitta followed with more structured designs that gave it a mature, stylish edge. Shop Mona kept it playful and easy to wear, something perfect for brunch or a casual outing. Bibiere made it look refined and classic, while Nyosi used it in a way that blends traditional style with a modern feel.So what exactly is happening here? Maybe it’s that Lagos is finally leaning into its fashion duality,where heritage fabrics and global trends hold hands. Or maybe we’re just tired of beige.

Either way, checkerboard feels like the perfect metaphor for Lagos fashion right now: structured but spontaneous, familiar yet unpredictable. It’s that print you used to overlook, now reimagined in corsets, co-ords, halter tops, and wide-leg pants. It’s got movement. It’s got nostalgia. And it photographs incredibly well, which is half the battle these days. There’s also something satisfying about the balance of it all. Checkerboard has always represented order, light and dark, contrast and clarity. But Lagos designers are messing with the rules, reinterpreting the pattern in brown tones, pastels, metallic finishes, and even textured weaves.

This isn’t your childhood chessboard. Now the real question is, will we see checkerboard on the mainstage at Lagos Fashion Week? If even two or three designers send it down the runway, it might just cement its place as the print of the season. But even if it doesn’t, the streets have already spoken. Maybe that’s what makes it special. It’s not trying too hard. It’s timeless but cheeky. It’s familiar but impossible to ignore. And in a city where fashion is both performance and personality, the return of checkerboard feels less like a trend and more like a homecoming. So, if you’re reading this and haven’t bought something checkered yet, consider this your nudge.