AphroChic Magazine: Issue No. 13.

Fashion
Over the years, I have attended many fashion exhibitions
at the Brooklyn Museum, but none of them have made me feel
as connected to fashion as this one. The exhibit is deeply rooted
in culture, diversity, and history and left me feeling inspired
and more proud to be a part of the African Diaspora. The works
felt unique and powerful; offering a sense of connection and
intimacy. I was struck by the beauty and intricate details, and
couldn't help but reflect on how long our stories, ingenuity,
beauty, creativity and craftsmanship, especially in fashion,
have gone hidden and ignored.
Africa Fashion celebrates the creativity and global
impact of African fashions in the present day and retrospectively
from the 1950s through 1990s, which coincides with
the African independence era. This era was a time of great
upheaval, but also one of hope and possibility. It inspired
dramatic political, social, and cultural shifts throughout the
continent with a surge in Pan-Africanism that embodied the
belief that all Africans, regardless of their nationality, share a
common history and destiny.
This gave rise to a united sense of identity with fashion
and artistic expression at its core. The exhibition highlights
the role that fashion, music, and art played in revitalizing
African culture during the continent's liberation years and
how these creative expressions helped to lay the foundation
for the fashion revolution that is happening today.
Organized by themes, Africa Fashion is a multisensory
exhibit that explores the history and future of fashion in
Africa. It features immersive displays of garments, textiles,
photographs, literature, sketches, music, catwalk footage, and
film, as well as works by over 40 designers and artists from 20
African countries. The exhibition is organized around seven
major themes: Cultural Renaissance, Politics and Poetics of
Cloth, Vanguard, Capturing Change, Cutting Edge, Through
the Photographer’s Lens, and Global Africa.
There is also a special curated shopping experience
created at the Exhibition Shop via a partnership with ALÁRA,
a Lagos-based luxury lifestyle concept store. This store was
founded in 2015 by Reni Folawiyo and showcases the rich
diversity of African culture through fashion, design, cuisine,
and other forms of expression. It was awarded a spot on the
Financial Times' list of the world's best boutiques.
Africa Fashion is on view through October 22. You can
secure tickets and learn more by visiting The Brooklyn
Museum’s website at BrooklynMuseum.org. AC
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