Africa brought its own unique take on black dandyism to the biggest night in fashion, blending cultural pride with bold fashion statements.
African stars embraced the 2025 Met Gala theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, and represented our fashion history while doing so. The event celebrated the impact of dandyism and black men’s style on tailoring and menswear.
This year, Africa didn’t just get a seat at the table. It bought the whole thing.
In a historic first, Africa Fashion International (AFI), a marketing, retail and development organisation, was a sponsor at the Met Gala. Founder, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, walked the red carpet wearing custom David Tlale.
Her presence wasn’t just symbolic, it was a powerful statement of Africa’s growing influence on global fashion. As a South African lover of fashion, seeing her on that red carpet made me proud.
My three standout guests from the continent were the African giant himself Burna Boy, songstress Tems, and South Africa’s own Nomzamo Mbatha, who all interpreted the theme through looks that merged cultural pride and global fashion trends.
Styled by British-Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng, Burna Boy looked dapper in a sharply tailored red suit and oxblood cape made of eel skin.
He told Vogue that his look was a nod to his roots in the Niger Delta. “The eel and fish in general are the lifeblood of my people. They symbolise survival, spirit, and the flow of tradition through generations,” he said.
Tems stunned in a dramatic blue gown with a mermaid-style hem, also styled by Boateng. The peacock print at first glance reminded me of the traditional shweshwe fabric found in South Africa.
Her braided hairstyle topped off her interpretation of Afro-dandyism. “I wanted to express this theme in a way that was true to me and paying homage to my West African roots,” she told Harper’s Bazaar.
Wearing a bold burgundy two-piece outfit by MmusoMaxwell was Nomzamo Mbatha, who attended as the AFI red carpet correspondent. The crème de la crème of her look was the intricate updo that screamed unapologetically African.
While many guests focused their outfits on European tailoring, these African stars reminded us that black dandyism was never just imported, it’s long been alive in Africa.
In Congo, the sapeurs have turned heads since the 1960s, wearing brightly coloured suits and shoes from designer labels, that they often purchased against the odds.
Their style isn’t just about flair, it’s defiance. A way for men across generations to make a statement of joy and pride amid their difficult circumstances.
In 1950s South Africa, swenkas became a popular subculture among Zulu migrant workers, wearing tailored suits, fedora hats, and patterned ties. They competed in fashion competitions that showcased their dignity, against the backdrop of a dehumanising apartheid regime.
By the 2010s, skhothanes took centre stage. They were flashy and fearless, and known for their dance battles (and those infamous Carvela shoes).
These subcultures show that African men have used fashion to speak volumes, long before any Met Gala invitation.
This year’s theme was about more than just fashion, it was about retelling our history through style.
FEATURED IMAGE: African stars brought their own cultural flair to the Met Gala’s theme of ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’. Graphic: Mbali Khumalo
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