Viewing Africa Fashion

The capital is abuzz with talk of Africa Fashion, the V&A’s landmark exhibition celebrating the vitality and innovation of African fashion creatives from across the 20th and 21st centuries. It considers how fashion, alongside music and the visual arts, was a key part of Africa’s cultural renaissance, while also exploring the cultural and economic impact of African fashion now.

‘The exhibition presents African fashions as a self-defining art form that reveals the richness and diversity of African histories and cultures,’ explains exhibition curator Dr Christine Checinska. ‘We hope this exhibition will spark a renegotiation of the geography of fashion and become a game-changer for the field.’

There are more than 250 objects on display, from textiles and photography to sketches, catwalk footage and editorial spreads. You’ll also find garments from the personal archives of iconic mid-century designers such as Shade Thomas-Fahm, Chris Seydou and Kofi Ansah alongside daring pieces by influential contemporary designers including Imane Ayissi, IAMISIGO and Moshions. Shown together, they offer new insights into the research process and creative practice of many of Africa’s most pioneering designers.

It’s poised to be one of the summer’s blockbuster hits, so book your tickets before they go.