Harvard Center for African Studies partners with Africa Fashion International to champion African influence on fashion ahead of the 2025 Met Gala.

New York City - The Harvard Center for African Studies partnered with Africa Fashion International (AFI) to host a landmark event, "Afro Dandy: Tailored for Africa," on Friday, 2 May 2025 at Moonlight Studios in New York City. 

This special gathering, was set just ahead of the Met Gala weekend, and shone a spotlight Africa's influence on global fashion through the lens of Afro Dandyism. The 2025 Met Gala theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” honors a Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. 

In the days prior, the Harvard Center for African Studies and Africa Fashion International came together to highlight Africa’s influence on global fashion through a panel discussion, film screening, and runway show.

"Afro Dandy: Tailored for Africa" Panel Discussion
Moderated by Dr. Zoe Marks, the panel brought together influential voices from across the fashion, art, and academic sectors-including David Tlale, Chloe Chapin, Marius Kothor, Touria El Glaoui, and Omar Salam. The discussion focused on Black Dandyism and the transformative role of style in shaping identity, challenging stereotypes, and opening new social and political possibilities for African and diasporic communities. Panelists explored how clothing, gesture, and creativity are leveraged not just as expressions of individuality, but as tools for cultural storytelling and innovation. The conversation also examined the significance of the Met Gala 2025 theme through an African lens, highlighting the continent’s growing influence on global fashion narratives. This event underscored the importance of cross-industry collaboration in amplifying African voices and creative talent on the world stage.

Watch the Panel Discussion

Panel Speakers:

David Tlale – South African Fashion Designer

Touria El Glaoui – Founder, Contemporary African Art Fair

Omar Salam – Creative Director at SUKEINA and Fashion Designer

Marius Kothor – Historian (20th Century Women in Togo)

Chloe Chapin – Cultural Critic and Fashion Scholar

Fireside Chat with Chioma Nnadi

Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Founder & CEO of Africa Fashion International (AFI) also hosted a Fireside Chat with Chioma Nnadi, Head of Editorial Content at British Vogue.

Harvard Center for African Studies Staff with Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Founder & CEO of Africa Fashion International and David Tlale, Fashion Designer based in South Africa.

The Afro Dandy Fashion Show

A showcase of 10 looks from AFI's specially curated Afro Dandy collection, with designers from around the continent, including Sheria Ngowi, Imprint_ZA, Masa Mara, David Tlale & Nala Privé

The event ended with a documentary screening featuring the premiere of Africa Fashion's International original documentary “Afro Dandy: Dandier than the Rest."