What a watershed moment for African fashion! The prestigious Met Gala celebrated Black style for the first time in its 77-year history. Several African designers made their debut on the iconic Metropolitan Museum stairs. This historic evening showcased their talents not just on African celebrities but on a diverse slate of global stars.
African Fashion International (AFI) joined as an official sponsor alongside Instagram and the Tyler Perry Foundation. This sponsorship marked another significant first for African representation at fashion’s biggest night.
1. Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe Brings African Fashion International to the Global Stage
“Black dandyism is a cultural phenomenon that is alive on the African continent – in Congo, on the streets of Nairobi, in Lagos, in Johannesburg, in Cape Town,” explained Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, AFI founder. “It’s a moment of reckoning and acknowledging the creative genius that comes from Africa as well as the African Americans in the diaspora.”
The 2025 Met Gala theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” celebrated Black fashion’s influence. Dr. Moloi-Motsepe wore a cream and gold patterned suit created by South African designer David Tlale. Her ensemble featured bell-bottom pants, an off-shoulder neckline, and a dramatic cape.
Dr. Moloi-Motsepe articulated the deeper meaning behind AFI’s sponsorship: “The Met Gala is more than an event – it is a cultural institution that influences how we view fashion. For AFI, it is an opportunity to highlight the depth, creativity, and global significance of African fashion.”
2. Tems Stuns in Ozwald Boateng’s Ankara Masterpiece
Nigerian singer Tems captivated the red carpet in a blue Ankara suit dress by British-Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng. Her ensemble featured a dramatic puff skirt that commanded attention on the Metropolitan Museum stairs. The look was completed with a green cravat and matching umbrella.
Boateng’s design for Tems perfectly embodied the gala’s theme celebrating Black style. The use of traditional Ankara fabric reimagined through contemporary tailoring highlighted the designer’s cross-cultural expertise. His British-Ghanaian heritage informed the perfect fusion of African textiles with European tailoring techniques.
Tems’s appearance represented a significant moment for Nigerian music artists on the global fashion stage. Her confident presence in Boateng’s creation demonstrated how African designers and celebrities together can redefine global fashion narratives.
3. Diana Ross Makes Triumphant Return in Ugo Mozie’s Show-Stopping Creation
Music legend Diana Ross returned to the Met Gala after a twenty-year absence. Nigerian designer Ugo Mozie created her crystal-embellished white gown through his Eleven Sixteen label. Her feathered cape covered the entire staircase width and featured the names of her children and grandchildren.
Ross’s dramatic entrance became one of the night’s most memorable moments. The personal touch of family names embroidered into her cape added emotional depth to the already striking visual. Mozie’s design highlighted both technical mastery and storytelling through fashion.
The pairing of an iconic American music legend with a Nigerian designer symbolized the cross-cultural celebration at this year’s gala. Mozie’s ability to create a look worthy of Ross’s return demonstrated African designers’ readiness for fashion’s biggest spotlight.
4. Burna Boy Embodies Modern African Elegance in Ozwald Boateng
Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy showcased another Ozwald Boateng creation on the Met Gala stairs. His bold red wool tuxedo made a striking statement against the evening’s backdrop. The yellow shirt and red tie combination was topped with a regal oxblood cape.
Burna Boy’s ensemble highlighted Boateng’s masterful color sense and tailoring expertise. The cape element connected traditional African regality with contemporary formal wear. This fusion perfectly aligned with the gala’s exploration of Black men using fashion for resistance and reinvention.
The Nigerian superstar’s presence in Boateng’s design reinforced the growing global influence of African musicians in fashion. Burna Boy’s confident wearing of the bold color palette demonstrated how African male celebrities are redefining masculinity through fashion.
5. Aurora James Wears Thebe Magugu’s First-Ever Couture Creation
South African designer Thebe Magugu marked his Met Gala debut with his brand’s first-ever couture creation. Creative director Aurora James wore this milestone piece with evident pride. The flowing brown chiffon gown drew inspiration from female muses of mid-century Central and West African photographers.
James’s look featured a dramatic headpiece inspired by traditional Yoruba geles from Nigeria and West Africa. This thoughtful cultural reference highlighted Magugu’s commitment to celebrating African heritage through contemporary fashion. Every element of the design told a story of African fashion history.
The partnership between James, a prominent fashion advocate, and Magugu represented perfect synergy. Both have worked to increase recognition for Black designers in the global fashion ecosystem. Their Met Gala moment visualized the success of these ongoing efforts.
6. Kwame Onwuachi Celebrates Nigerian Heritage Through Ugo Mozie Design
Nigerian chef and Netflix star Kwame Onwuachi wore another standout look from Ugo Mozie’s Eleven Sixteen label. His all-black striped ensemble celebrated his Nigerian roots through thoughtful details. The crown adorned with Nigerian-sourced gemstones made a powerful statement about cultural pride.
Onwuachi’s look incorporated custom carved bronzes from Benin, Nigeria. These elements referenced the famous Benin bronzes, connecting contemporary fashion to Africa’s artistic legacy. Mozie’s design transformed Onwuachi from culinary star to fashion ambassador for Nigerian cultural heritage.
The chef’s presence demonstrated how African designers are dressing influential figures beyond the entertainment industry. Onwuachi’s Met Gala appearance highlighted the growing recognition of African culinary talents alongside fashion innovations on global platforms.
7. Brian Tyree Henry Honors André Leon Talley in Orange Culture
American actor Brian Tyree Henry wore a custom creation by Nigerian designer Adebayo Oke-Lawal’s brand Orange Culture. His red two-piece suit with white shirt and long black tie created a striking silhouette. Black knee-length boots added dramatic flair to the ensemble.
Henry’s look was completed with a textured red-gold coat that paid tribute to fashion icon André Leon Talley. This homage connected Orange Culture’s design to Black fashion history while looking toward the future. Oke-Lawal’s creation perfectly embodied the gala’s theme of Black style.
The partnership between an American actor and Nigerian designer represented cross-cultural fashion dialogue. Orange Culture’s Met Gala debut through Henry showed how African designers are increasingly dressing Hollywood stars for major global events.
8. Savannah James Showcases Hanifa’s Contemporary African Vision
Congolese-American designer Anifa Mvuemba’s brand Hanifa dressed Savannah James for the historic evening. The entrepreneur and wife of honorary co-chair LeBron James wore a striped burgundy ensemble. Her jacket featured innovative corset detailing that highlighted Mvuemba’s technical skill.
James’s look flowed into a mermaid-style skirt with an impressive train that cascaded down the Met stairs. The structured yet flowing silhouette demonstrated Hanifa’s signature approach to celebrating the female form. Mvuemba’s Congolese heritage influenced the garment’s bold confidence and refined elegance.
Savannah James’s appearance represented the James family after LeBron couldn’t attend due to injury. Her choice of a Black female designer with African roots aligned perfectly with the evening’s celebration of Black style heritage and innovation.
9. Jonathan Owens Celebrates Nigerian Craftsmanship in Deji and Kola
NFL player Jonathan Owens made a striking appearance in an all-white ensemble by Nigerian design duo Deji and Kola. Founders Ayodeji Adebayo and Kolapo Olabintan created a knitted handwoven Aso Oke tuxedo jacket for the athlete. The traditional Nigerian textile technique transformed into contemporary formalwear.
Owens’s flared pants continued the all-white theme while adding modern proportions. A fur shawl draped over one shoulder added textural contrast and regal presence. This combination of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary styling exemplified the gala’s theme.
The appearance of Deji and Kola’s work on an American sports star highlighted African designers’ expanding influence. Traditional Nigerian weaving techniques received global spotlight through Owens’s confident wearing of this culturally significant creation.
10. Claire Sulmers Champions African Design in Bold Red Deji and Kola Ensemble
Media entrepreneur Claire Sulmers chose another creation by Deji and Kola for her Met Gala appearance. Her red monochrome three-piece suit with a large cape created dramatic impact. Nigerian stylist Swanky Jerry, also known from Netflix’s “Young, Famous and African,” styled this bold look.
Sulmers’s ensemble demonstrated how African designers are reimagining traditional suiting through color and proportion. The monochromatic approach created visual cohesion while the cape added theatrical elegance. Every element of the design spoke to confident self-expression.
