African Influence Was Everywhere (Even When It Wasn’t Named): The Unmistakable Presence of African Aesthetics at the 2025 Met Gala
The 2025 Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” with the dress code “Tailored for You,” was a celebration of Black dandyism and tailored excellence. While the spotlight was on Black fashion, the influence of African aesthetics, both overt and subtle, shaped the spirit of the evening.
Designers of African Descent Leading the Charge
Ozwald Boateng, the British Ghanaian designer renowned for his mastery of tailoring, dressed several notable attendees. Tems wore a deep blue shirt dress adorned with green Ankara prints, complemented by a matching necktie, hair ribbon, and umbrella, a nod to Boateng’s 2019 womenswear debut at New York’s Apollo Theater. Burna Boy donned a regal red tuxedo paired with an oxblood eelskin cape, symbolizing survival and cultural continuity from his Niger Delta roots. Colin Kaepernick made a powerful statement in a bespoke burgundy three-piece suit with a cape and Kente print by Boateng, complemented by antique diamonds, celebrating Black heritage and artistry. These are just to name a few!
Ncuti Gatwa, Jaden Smith, Omar Sy, Oscar Boateng, Hope Smith, Burna Boy, Hanna Hultberg, Emilia Boateng, and Ozwald Boateng made a striking entrance at the 2025 Met Gala, celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Photo: Getty Images via Vogue
Grace Wales Bonner, a British designer of Jamaican and English heritage, known for her Afro Atlantic inspired work, dressed co-chair Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton’s ensemble featured a silk tailcoat adorned with embroidery, a brooch, beret, and shimmering buckled shoes by Manolo Blahnik, seamlessly blending European tailoring with cultural elements.
Lewis Hamilton at the MET Gala. Photo: Getty Images
Emerging designers were not left out of the limelight as they certainly came to make their mark:
Jacques Agbobly, a Brooklyn based designer originally from Togo, was spotlighted in the Met’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition. His garments symbolized African traditions and personal history, reflecting themes of dandyism, heritage, and Black identity.
Designs from the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Photo: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Priya Ahluwalia, of Nigerian and Indian heritage, dressed actress Aimee Lou Wood in a tailored black wool coat with a dramatic silk sash. The design paid tribute to Congolese Sapeurs and incorporated national flowers of Congo and Nigeria, highlighting cultural pride and resilience.
Aimee Lou Wood at the MET. Photo: British Vogue
Attendees Embodying African Heritage
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the Nigerian author and host committee member, wore a red gown by Prabal Gurung, adorned with delicate feathers, mini bows, and ties, reflecting her literary grace and cultural pride.
Ayo Edebiri, of Nigerian descent, honored her roots in a Ferragamo ensemble designed by Maximilian Davis. Her white floor length collared dress was accentuated with a cluster of red Edo beads known traditionally as ivie draped from the neck to the waistline and cascading down the skirt. Read our full feature on the Nigerian celebrities who made us proud on the Met carpet here!
African Motifs and Influence Across the Red Carpet
And of course, there were the subtle African motifs present in global designs, a quiet but powerful testament to the continent’s widespread cultural influence. Even when not explicitly stated, African aesthetics permeated the looks of many attendees.
Ayo Edebiri’s outfit was inspired by her Nigerian father’s wedding attire, mixing her personal heritage with modern style. Lewis Hamilton’s outfit by Wales Bonner included cowrie shell accessories, an unmistakable nod to West African spiritual and cultural symbolism.
One could even say that Kendall Jenner’s attire featured tailoring inspired by Nigerian silhouettes, showcasing how African design principles continue to shape global fashion narratives.
Kendall Jenner at the MET Gala. Photo: Getty Images
Several other guests embraced more vibrant and colorful references. Hope Smith turned heads in an all yellow Ozwald Boateng suit, accessorized with tinted shades and a red purse, capturing the boldness and warmth often associated with African fashion. Omar Sy also wore Boateng, pairing green and yellow in a tailored ensemble that balanced sophistication with the playful richness of African color palettes.
Honoring African Fashion Icons
The gala paid tribute to fashion legends like Dapper Dan, whose Harlem based designs have long celebrated Black culture. His influence was evident in the tailored and bold ensembles that graced the red carpet.
Dapper Dan at the Met Gala. Photo: Getty Images
The 2025 Met Gala transcended borders, with African influences evident in the designs, accessories, and styling choices of attendees from around the world. This global embrace of African aesthetics highlights the continent’s profound impact on fashion and culture.
In essence, the 2025 Met Gala was not just a celebration of Black style but a testament to the influence of African culture in the global fashion narrative.
