AMVCA Cultural Day 2025: A Powerful Preservation of African Culture Through Fashion, Music & Tradition
The AMVCAs are known for glitz, glamour, and cinematic excellence. But its Cultural Day has fast become one of the most meaningful pre-award traditions, and this year was no exception.
Held just ahead of the main awards night, the AMVCA 2025 Cultural Day served as a vibrant, living museum of fashion, heritage, and identity. African stars didn’t just show up; they made statements: bold, respectful, and deeply rooted in tradition. It was more than a red carpet moment. It was a reminder that in the heart of modern entertainment, our culture still leads.
Nelly Mbonu in Designs by Lezie. Photo via @nellymbonu_ on Instagram
A Spotlight on African Elegance—Beyond the Usual Gown
This year, the women continued their reign as queens of African style—donning elegant aso-oke corset dresses, intricately beaded gowns, and looks that fused regal silhouettes with modern tailoring. But what truly caught the attention of many fashion observers was the increased spotlight on menswear.
For far too long, cultural fashion moments have largely centered around women, while men stuck to basic black suits. But not anymore. The men of AMVCA Cultural Day 2025 claimed their space in the fashion spotlight, draped in richly embroidered agbadas, layered aso-ofi, and regal beads that carried ancestral energy. These looks weren’t just stylish; they were storytelling. A new era where African men redefine elegance on their own terms is clearly here. This evolution proves that African menswear can be just as expressive, luxurious, and culturally rooted as women’s fashion and the AMVCAs are giving it the space to shine.
Prince Nelson in House of Vieve. Photo via @princenelsonenwerem on Instagram
Elozonam in Joe Parson. Photo via @elozonam on Instagram
Saga Adeolu in Am Diddy. Photo via @sagadeolu on Instagram
More Than Style: A Multi-Sensory Cultural Experience
Beyond the fashion, the event itself pulsed with African tradition. Guests were treated to live talking drums and indigenous bands, while dancers adorned in traditional attire moved gracefully across the venue. There were curated servings of authentic African cuisine, celebrating the culinary diversity of Nigeria and beyond. Every element, from décor to entertainment, was designed to immerse attendees in a holistic cultural experience.
Even the afterparty held symbolic meaning: money spraying, a popular celebratory tradition in Nigerian culture, was preserved with a modern twist. In place of actual naira notes (now protected under EFCC regulations), ethically printed, non-monetary paper was used to maintain the joyous custom without breaking any laws. It was a brilliant adaptation that balanced tradition with compliance, something that should inspire many future events.
Hawa Magaji in Burgundy Atelier. Photo via @hawa_magaji on Instagram
Catch the Best Dressed Looks!
While this piece celebrates the cultural essence of the night, we’ve also put together a curated list of the Best Dressed Celebrities at AMVCA 2025 Cultural Day, from regal royalty to boundary pushing style. [Click here to view the full best-dressed feature].
With this unforgettable cultural showcase now behind us, all eyes are on the AMVCA Awards Night, happening May 10th. If the Cultural Day is anything to go by, we’re in for a breathtaking evening of storytelling, style, recognition and celebration.
