PRESS RELEASE: AFI Partners with The Met Gala to Champion African Fashion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AFI Partners with The Met Gala to Champion African Fashion: A New Era of Global Influence
Africa Fashion International (AFI) Sets the Stage for "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" Exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute
IMAGES: https://tinyurl.com/AFIMetGala
Johannesburg South Africa (11 October 2024)- In 2025, Africa Fashion International (AFI) marks a historic moment as the first African partner of The Met Gala, an event renowned for setting the global fashion agenda.
The Gala will launch Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, a groundbreaking exhibition that explores the evolution of Black Dandyism as a cultural and aesthetic movement, beginning with its origins in Enlightenment Europe and extending into 21st-century urban centres like London, New York, and Johannesburg.
As an organisation at the forefront of global African fashion for 17 years, AFI’s involvement underscores its commitment to advancing the narrative of African creativity on the world stage.
The exhibition will explore the Black Dandy’s transformative role in Black identity, using fashion as a tool for resistance, expression, and self-determination. It is a fitting tribute to the complex interplay of history, culture, and style that defines African fashion today.
AFI’s Strategic Role in Shaping Global Fashion Narratives
Founder and CEO of AFI, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe.
Since its inception, AFI has positioned itself as not only a platform for showcasing Pan-African fashion but also as a leader in fostering deeper cultural exchanges between Africa and the rest of the world. Through its investments in fashion weeks, creative mentorship, and global partnerships, AFI has become a beacon for talent development across Africa. This partnership with The Costume Institute is a natural extension of AFI’s vision to elevate African fashion narratives, contextualising them within global fashion discourse.
According to AFI Founder and CEO, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, "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it is an opportunity to highlight the depth, creativity, and global significance of African fashion and to challenge outdated perceptions of what African identity in fashion means. We are not just participants in this narrative—we are leaders in redefining it."
Bringing Fashion to the Fore: AFI’s Didactic Leadership
AFI has consistently championed fashion not just as an industry but as a cultural force that drives social change. By supporting Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, AFI demonstrates its belief in fashion’s didactic power—the ability to educate, inspire, and challenge societal norms. The Black Dandy, whose influence permeates modern African fashion, is a figure of defiance and aspiration, a testament to how fashion can create pathways for self-expression even in oppressive environments.
AFI’s role extends beyond creating platforms; it leads with purpose. From cultivating young designers who draw from Africa’s rich cultural archives to partnering with international institutions to elevate African narratives, AFI is not just curating fashion—it is rewriting its global significance.
A New Era of Cross-Cultural Dialogue Through Fashion
The Black Dandyism movement highlights the intersections of fashion, identity, and politics—its impact resonates from African American Dandies to the Sapeurs of Congo and the Amapantsula of South Africa. This exhibition not only bridges African and global fashion but also honours centuries of diaspora exchanges, creating a shared narrative that transcends geographical borders.
"As Africans, our histories and identities have always been a tapestry of influences, woven from our interactions with the world. Our fashion reflects these layers—interconnected and constantly evolving," says Dr. Moloi-Motsepe. "At AFI, we are proud to drive this dialogue forward, ensuring that African fashion is seen, heard, and respected on a global scale."
Looking Ahead: AFI’s Commitment to the Future of Fashion
The 2025 Met Gala signals a shift in the global fashion narrative—one where African voices take centre stage, not as footnotes but as leading authors. AFI’s sponsorship of Superfine: Tailoring Black Style is a reflection of its unwavering commitment to positioning African fashion as both an artistic and economic force in the global market.
Guided by Ubuntu and a vision of inclusivity, AFI will continue to build bridges, create opportunities, and ensure that African designers and creatives are not only part of the conversation but are shaping its future.
ENDS
For additional information and media-related requests, please contact:
Roshnee Pillay
Public Relations
roshneep@afi.za.com