Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe Wears David Tlale at the Met Gala

AFI Insider

“Ah! I love a girl from humble beginnings who becomes a big star. It's like the American dream, that's how you do it. I want more train!”

The words of the iconic André Leon Talley echoed powerfully as Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, wearing a custom David Tlale creation for her first Met Gala, stepped onto fashion’s most illustrious red carpet.

This moment is more than just a personal milestone for Dr Precious, the Founder and CEO of Africa Fashion International, and her longtime friend, the South African designer, David Tlale. It celebrated Black excellence, African creativity, and the journey from humble beginnings to global recognition. 

With Africa Fashion International having a role as a major supporter of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition, Dr Precious embodies what it means to break barriers and champion African talent on the world stage.

Andrew Bolton, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Dame Anna Wintour, Colman Domingo, Dr Monica L. Miller, and Max Hollein during the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Earlier in the day, Dr Precious attended the preview of the exhibition, which officially opens on 10 May 2025 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York.

As one of the major funders, she rubbed shoulders with key figures involved in the exhibition, including Dame Anna Wintour, Andrew Bolton, Dr Monica L. Miller, and Instagram's Adam Mosseri. 

AFI kicked off the Met Gala weekend with an event to celebrate the Afro Dandy.

Hosted in collaboration with Harvard University's Center for African Studies, the event featured a fireside chat with British Vogue Head of Content, Chioma Nnadi, a panel discussion moderated by Dr Zoe Marks, and a curated fashion show featuring items from Africa's leading brands. 

Dr Precious's presence at the Met Gala is a true testament to the power of vision, resilience, and the importance of representation at the highest levels of fashion.

In this pivotal cultural moment, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe stands as proof that the dream is possible-and that Africa’s story belongs at the centre of the global conversation.