Africa Fashion – the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of fashion from the African continent ever mounted in Australia – presents a dynamic survey of historical and contemporary designs from some of the most influential fashion designers in the region.
Coming to Melbourne from the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London and on display from 31 May 2024, the Australian premiere of Africa Fashion features nearly 200 works, including couture, bespoke and ready-to-wear fashions, and body adornments, from over 50 designers from more than 20 countries and regions on the African continent.
With works drawn from the collection of the V&A, NGV Collection as well as the personal archives of designers represented in the show, the exhibition features outstanding designs from some of the icons of twentieth century African fashion scene, including Shade Thomas-Fahm, Chris Seydou and Kofi Ansah. The exhibition will also profile contemporary designers working today, with meticulously crafted designs by Imane Ayissi, IAMISIGO, Moshions, Thebe Magugu and Sindiso Khumalo.
Through a visually arresting selection of garments, displayed alongside an array of accessories, textiles, film and photography, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, innovation and indelible global impact of African fashions from the mid-twentieth century to the present day. The exhibition reveals a thriving and dynamic fashion culture that is as diverse and varied as the continent itself.
Foregrounding African voices and experiences, Africa Fashion also features personal insights from the designers, together with sketches, editorial spreads and catwalk footage that combined offer fascinating insight into the creativity powering the industry.
For the Melbourne exhibition, the NGV invites members from Australia’s African diaspora to be a part of the presentation by submitting personal photographs collected through a public call out via NGV’s online platforms and local community networks. Many of these digitised fashion stories and images will find expression in the exhibition, or across the NGV’s website and social media platforms.
Africa Fashion curator Dr Christine Checinska, Senior Curator African and African Diaspora: Textiles and Fashion at the V&A, said: ‘We hope Africa Fashion will inspire future generations of creative young people to engage with the arts through fashion and textiles. We are excited to share the exhibition with audiences in Melbourne.