Trailblazing African women lit up this year’s Met Gala with their creative garments that not only stuck to the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” theme but also dazzled on the red carpet.
The glamourous MET Gala again unveiled its annual spectacle on the first Monday of May, transcending mere red-carpet fashion to embody an artistic concept that shapes the spring exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Significantly, this year’s Gala showcased beautiful displays of African representation, with both models and designers leaving their mark although greater inclusivity and recognition still remains. As the fashion world continues to embrace diversity, African voices, design, and art hold the power to redefine red-carpet narratives.
African fashion and representation were certainly not out of place this year at the theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” which unleashed historically significant garments too fragile to be worn again and yet still offered a glimpse into a bygone era’s sartorial splendour.
The Gala’s dress code transcended the theme, embodying the essence of “The Garden of Time,” inspired by J.G. Ballard’s short story. In the tale, a count and countess live in a villa in paradise, their tranquil garden concealing flowers with the power to reverse time when plucked. Their idyllic existence is threatened by a chaotic mob, reflecting the fragile balance between time’s passage and humanity’s impulses.
Many fashion critics predicted that attendees would be drawing inspiration from the garden’s beauty, flowers, nature, vintage aesthetics, and the abstract concept of time itself. This year marked a significant shift, with an increased presence of African women at one of the world’s most exclusive events. Here’s a closer look at some of these trailblazers who captured hearts and headlines with their memorable interpretations of the theme on the illustrious carpet.
1. Adwoa Aboah
Adwoa Aboah surprised the Met Gala crowd with a bold and contemporary take on maternity style, proudly debuting her baby bump in a custom two-piece by H&M. The ensemble featured a fiery red silk organza capelet with cascading tulle ruffles that mimicked flower petals, framing her baby bump beautifully. Beneath the capelet, a delicately embroidered bralette added a touch of unexpected sparkle. This dramatic top was paired with a structured taffeta bubble-hem skirt, creating a striking silhouette.
2. Adut Akech
Supermodel Adut Akech stunned in a breathtaking LaQuan Smith design. The outfit, an all-lace ivory catsuit inspired by the organic, natural, and sometimes sensual shapes of flowers, was a sleek foundation elevated by a flowing full lace skirt overlay. This combination created a silhouette that was both elegant and sophisticated. The crowning touch was the interplay between the ivory fabric and Akech’s signature velvety dark skin, which shimmered through, creating a stunning contrast.
3. Aya Nakamura
Aya Nakamura shimmered in a custom Balmain gown, a vision of modern glamour. The silver dress featured intricate floral embroidery, possibly depicting delicate lilies, cascading down the bodice and skirt. A daring mid-thigh slit added a touch of sensuality, perfectly complementing her Old Hollywood blonde up-do.
4. Ayo Edebri
The actress stunned in a backless halter-neck gown adorned with hand-painted, hand-embroidered floral lace and 3D appliqué flowers designed by Loewe, a sponsor of the event. This look, chosen by both her stylist Danielle Goldberg and designer Jonathan Anderson, perfectly captured the gala’s theme. Loewe’s influence also extended to Anna Wintour, the chair of the exhibition, who wore a tuxedo in wool with a silk satin shawl collar decorated with tulip bouquets using hand-dyed feathers, showcasing the brand’s creative flair.
5. Anok Yai
The South Sudanese-American model joined a group of fellow models representing elements of nature, all dressed in Swarovski. Embodying the element of water in the custom creation, marked the debut of Swarovski couture. The ombre blue catsuit flowed seamlessly over her figure, creating an almost liquid illusion. This mesmerizing effect was achieved through the meticulous application of 98,000 sapphire and aquamarine crystals meticulously hand-sewn onto a delicate silk tulle base. The shimmering crystals seemed to melt into her skin, further emphasizing the watery theme.
6. Chioma Nnandi
Head of editorial content at British Vogue Chioma Nnandi embodied a timeless elegance with a captivating Burberry co-ord set. The sandstone-hued ensemble consisted of a ruffled sheer jersey dress layered over wool-silk blend tuxedo trousers. This unconventional yet sophisticated combination played with textures and shapes. The floor-length dress was adorned with delicate floral crystals that shimmered like dewdrops in a garden. A luxurious shearling trim added a touch of unexpected warmth and a subtle nod to the theme’s focus on evolution.
7. Cynthia Erivo
The singer and actress embraced the theme with a captivating Thom Browne creation. Her ensemble featured a classic black silk faille tailored jacket and skirt, transformed into a whimsical garden scene with sequins mimicking dewdrops, silk petals adding a touch of floral flair, and 3D green beaded insects creating movement and life. Erivo completed the look with diamond earrings featuring blue gems and a chic pink handbag with gold accents.
8. Imaan Hammam
Model Imaan Hammam, also, shone bright in a custom Swarovski ensemble that embodied the sun as part of the ensemble. The golden sunshine motif was meticulously crafted using a combination of satin and a mix of gold crystals. This dazzling display not only showcased the brand’s return to its roots of intricate handcraft, dating back to 1895 but also paid homage to Hammam’s Egyptian heritage. The outfit aimed to reflect the grace of Ra, the sun god and was painstakingly handcrafted over two months using over 133,450 crystals.
9. Léna Mahfouf
The French author of Algerian descent made a statement in a Schiaparelli Haute Couture design. The sculpted gold bodice resembled a blooming flower, a signature Schiaparelli touch. The black skirt, in contrast to the structured bodice, flowed freely with a soft, ruffled texture. A flowing shawl completed the look, adding a touch of elegance.
10. Tyla
Tyla stunned in a custom Balmain gown crafted from sand and micro-crystals, tailored to perfection based on a cast of her body. The delicate dress, complemented by jewelry from Alexis Bittar and John Hardy, featured an hourglass-shaped Balmain purse, emphasizing the evening’s theme. Due to the gown’s fragility, the South African musician was carried up the museum steps to avoid damaging its sand-and-organza train. Inside, Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing was seen cutting the dress with a pair of scissors to a mini length for ease of movement. The 22-year–old singer later shared images and videos on Instagram, revealing she ended the evening with a deep slit from her left armpit to her waist and some splitting in the center back of the zipper.
Article written for African Female Voices published 11 May 2024