Did African Talent Shine at the Met Gala?
From Burna Boy and Ozwald Boateng to Tolu Coker and Tyla, African designers and celebrities were spotted on the red carpet
Welcome back to Africa Reimagined! A lot happened over this long bank holiday weekend: I turned 28, and the Met Gala shut down New York with its highly anticipated fashion event. As we know, this year’s gala theme was Superfine: Tailoring Black Style — and it was, in my opinion, one of the most captivating Met Gala themes of all time. Did African talent come under the spotlight at the Met Gala? Well, kind of. A handful of African designers were spotted on the red carpet on Monday night, and I’m here to break it down.
But first, in April, I shared some predictions about the Met Gala and African designers I would have loved to see in attendance. That included seeing Black and African designers step into the spotlight, including names such as “David Tlale, Orange Culture, Kente Gentleman, Tolu Coker, Lisa Folawiyo, and many many more,” I wrote. A number of those designers were either present on the red carpet last night or have pieces on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where the corresponding exhibition will open to the public on 10 May. However, my predictions weren’t 100 percent accurate, as not that many African designers were present. A slight surprise considering the African Fashion International, a South Africa-based platform that supports, champions and uplifts fashion from the continent, sponsored this year’s event.
I’ve already spoken at length about my predictions and expectations for the event in a previous post. Still, I wanted to highlight all the incredible designers and talent who were present last night. While this year’s event celebrated Black creativity and welcomed guests from all over the world, it hasn’t always been that way, and therefore, this historic shift is worth documenting. (Don’t forget, this is the first Met Gala event celebrating Black fashion since its inception in 1948.)
Spotted on the Red Carpet
Orange Culture x Brian Tyree Henry
Award-winning actor Brian Tyree Henry, known for his role in the popular comedy-drama series Atlanta, was spotted wearing customer Orange Culture. This follows on from the Nigerian brand being featured in Vogue x GQ’s special Met Gala issue, where actor Daryl Dismond is photographed wearing an Spring/Summer 25 Orange Culture suit.
“I always love finding new stylists and experimenting with all different kinds of people. Once I met Orange Culture, they were so happy to collaborate, and they really brought the vision together, so I’m beyond excited to wear them tonight,” Henry said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Ozwald Boateng and his army of dandys
From Tems to Burna Boy, Ozwald Boateng strikes again. The British-Ghanaian designer, who simply epitomises dandyism, was spotted countless times on the red carpet. There’s a reason why so many celebrities work with him — he’s a veteran at this game, his tailoring is sharp, and he pays very close attention to the small details. (Fun fact, one of the first fashion shows I got to go to post-lockdown and as a baby journalist was Ozwald Boateng’s star-studded showcase at the Savoy Theatre in 2022. It also marked his return to London Fashion Week after a 12-year hiatus, and that showcase has been etched into my memory ever since.)
Thebe Magugu x Aurora James and Ivy Getty
South Africa’s heavyweight designer, Thebe Magugu, was also present on the red carpet this year. Aurora James, the founder of the 15 percent pledge, and Ivy Getty, editor-in-chief of Vogue Genovia, both wore custom Thebe Magugu looks. Interestingly, these pieces veered away from tailored suits and instead brought a different energy to the red carpet. I appreciate the direction and personal spin Magugu put on these garments — and not to mention the 120 hours of labour that went into creating one look.
“While the suit has historically been a symbol of respectability and power (granted with a difficult history), it is only one language in a much broader vocabulary of black style,” Magugu said in an Instagram post. “Across the diaspora, black fashion draws from a tapestry of references: ancestral textiles, streetwear ingenuity, church elegance, Afrofuturist visions, diasporic remixing, and gender-fluid experimentation. From the flowing robes of West African royalty to generous silhouette of Nigerian Obas, black African style is not just about formality - it's about freedom, identity, and a continuation of generations of storytelling."
Ugo Mozie x Diana Ross and Khaby Lame
Nigerian designer and multidisciplinary Ugo Mozie continues to go from strength to strength. Not only was his brand Eleven Sixteen worn by Blue Ivory — she wore a bespoke leather set adorned with hand-carved Benin bronzes and cowries — on the Cowboy Carter Tour last week. Monzie styled Alton Mason and Khaby Lame for the Met Gala this year. Diana Ross wore custom Eleven Sixteen on the red carpet, a big moment for the young brand as this also marked her return to the Met Gala after a 22-year hiatus.
Tolu Coker x Tyla
This year’s Met Gala wouldn’t be complete without someone wearing Tolu Coker, the young designer and 2025 LVMH Prize finalist. For me, the British-Nigerian’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection was perfect for the theme. South African music sensation Tyla wore a look from Tolu Coker’s AW25 collection to Vogue’s pre-Met Gala party. Last night, she wore custom Jacquemus, styled by Law Roach, paying homage to the late fashion icon André Leon Talley.
Torisheju x Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner was spotted wearing custom Torishéju. An elegant reconstruction of a grey two-piece suit designed by the British-Nigerian designer and 2025 LVMH Prize finalist Torishéju Dumi.
David Tlale x Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe
Another South African heavyweight designer struck gold on the red carpet last night. David Tlale, who is considered one of the OG African designers, dressed his long-time friend Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, founder of the African Fashion International, which is one of the sponsors of the Met Gala event this year. Speaking about the representation of African fashion at the event, Moloi-Motsepe said:
“It’s a really important cultural moment, a recognition of Black excellence, of talent from African and from the diaspora.”
While many more African designers could have been involved in this year’s event, it was great to witness new talent (designers and celebrities) take up space on the red carpet.
Thank you for reading. I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow!