AFI Presents Afro Dandy - Tailored for Africa with Harvard Center for African Studies

Africa Fashion International and Harvard Center for African Studies Present "Afro Dandy: Tailored for Africa" in New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY, USA (01 May 2025) - Africa Fashion International (AFI), in collaboration with the Harvard Center for African Studies, will host a landmark event, "Afro Dandy: Tailored for Africa," on Friday, 2 May 2025 at Moonlight Studios in New York City. This special gathering, set just ahead of the Met Gala weekend, will spotlight Africa's influence on global fashion through the lens of Afro Dandyism.
 
AFI has curated a showcase on the Afro Dandy, featuring designer brands from across the continent. Participating brands include David Tlale, Kente Gentlemen, Orange Culture, Masa Mara, Imprint ZA, Sheria Ngowi, and AFI's in-house brand, NALA Privé.
 
The collection will present looks that showcase the creativity and sophistication of African designers.
 
The event will feature the premiere of the AFI-produced documentary, “Afro Dandy: Dandier then the Rest”, which follows AFI designer, Loice Dube’s journey across Africa to draw inspiration for the latest NALA Privé collection, rooted in the African Black Dandy tradition.
 
A panel discussion titled "Afro Dandy - Tailored for Africa" will be moderated by Dr Zoe Marks, Faculty Director of the Harvard Center for African Studies and Lecturer in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.
 
Panellists include:

• David Tlale - Fashion Designer
• Chloe Chapin – Cultural Historian
•  Marius Kothor - Historian
• Touria El Glaoui - Director of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
• Omar Salam- Fashion Designer

Says, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Founder and CEO of AFI:
 
"At AFI, our goal is to highlight the creativity and talent that African designers bring to fashion. By hosting this event in New York, we want to share our African stories with a global audience. African fashion is shaped by many influences and tells a rich, evolving story. We are proud to help make sure that African fashion is seen, heard, and valued everywhere."

ENDS.
 
For additional information and media-related requests, please contact:
Roshnee Pillay
AFI Public Relations
roshnee@afi.za.com
+2782 654 1531
+2711 324 1500