Every year, the Met Gala brings fashion’s biggest stars together for one unforgettable night — and in 2025, the spotlight shone brightly on Africa. This year’s theme, “Tailored for You,” wasn’t just about custom suits and sleek cuts — it was about honoring the power of Black style, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling. And right at the heart of it all were African designers who stole the show with their creativity, boldness, and pride in where they come from.
From the streets of Lagos to the fashion houses of Johannesburg, these designers have been shaping the global style conversation for years. But at the 2025 Met Gala, they took things to the next level — dressing icons, celebrities, and changemakers in looks that told stories of heritage, identity, and elegance.
Designers like Thebe Magugu, who brought a couture vision to life for Aurora James and Ivy Getty; David Tlale, whose regal design made Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe’s Met Gala debut unforgettable; and Hanifa, whose powerful look for Savannah James blended Harlem history with African luxury. Others, like Ugo Mozie and Ozwald Boateng, dressed stars across music, film, and fashion with effortless sophistication. Let’s not forget Orange Culture NG, — a dynamic designer who made a statement on the red carpet with their art.
In this article, we celebrate these incredible African creatives who made history at fashion’s biggest night — proving that African fashion isn’t just rising; it has fully arrived.
Ugo Mozie (Nigeria)
Nigerian-American designer and stylist Ugo Mozie made a significant impact at the 2025 Met Gala, crafting bespoke ensembles that honored heritage and personal narratives.
Diana Ross’s Triumphant Return
Music legend Diana Ross returned to the Met Gala after a 22-year hiatus, captivating attendees in a white gown adorned with crystals and beads. The ensemble featured a dramatic 18-foot feathered train embroidered with the names of her five children and eight grandchildren. Designed in collaboration with her son Evan Ross and Ugo Mozie, the gown was a heartfelt tribute to family legacy.
Evan Ross’s Coordinated Ensemble
Evan Ross complemented his mother’s look in a custom outfit also styled by Ugo Mozie, showcasing the designer’s ability to create cohesive family ensembles that blend elegance with personal significance.
Khabane Lame’s Suit
Social media sensation Khabane Lame made his Met Gala debut in a striking suit styled by Ugo Mozie, reflecting the event’s theme of Black dandyism and tailored excellence.
Alton Mason’s Modern Elegance
Model Alton Mason donned a chest-baring tweed suit with a matching coat, styled by Ugo Mozie, exemplifying a modern take on classic tailoring.
Kwame Onwuachi’s Culinary Chic
Renowned chef Kwame Onwuachi, who prepared the evening’s dinner, was styled by Ugo Mozie in an ensemble that merged culinary artistry with fashion sophistication, aligning with the gala’s celebration of Black excellence.
Ozwald Boateng (Ghana/UK)
British-Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng, renowned for his Savile Row tailoring, made a significant impact at the 2025 Met Gala by crafting bespoke ensembles for a diverse array of celebrities.
Burna Boy
Nigerian artist Burna Boy collaborated with Boateng to create a regal red wool tuxedo paired with an oxblood eelskin cape. The ensemble, finalized just a day before the event, symbolized cultural continuity and survival rooted in Nigerian heritage.
Tems
Singer Tems donned a custom Ozwald Boateng design that blended African-inspired tailoring with contemporary elegance, aligning with the gala’s theme of Black dandyism.
Ayra Starr
Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr wore a Boateng creation that showcased her dynamic musical style.
Issa Rae
Actress and producer Issa Rae’s ensemble, designed by Boateng, featured sharp tailoring, embodying the essence of modern Black excellence.
Jaden Smith
Actor and musician Jaden Smith made a bold statement in a tailored black suit by Boateng, complemented by an intricate wire headpiece that artistically looped around his hair and face and a striking black and white Kente tweed cape.
Henry Golding
Actor Henry Golding honored African symbols in a gold suit designed by Boateng, merging cultural motifs with contemporary fashion.
Omar Sy
French actor Omar Sy’s Boateng-designed attire combined classic tailoring with modern flair, reflecting his versatile acting career and African heritage. He wears a deep green wool mohair double-breasted suit featuring the House’s Authenticity Adinkra symbol. A yellow silk shirt and hand-finished green Chelsea boots add contrast and richness.
Hope Smith
Entrepreneur Hope Smith wore a Boateng ensemble that highlighted intricate detailing and luxurious fabrics, epitomizing sophistication and cultural pride.
Colin Kaepernick
Activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick collaborated with Boateng for a bespoke burgundy three-piece suit with a cape and Kente print, celebrating Black pride and artistry.
Ncuti Gatwa
Actor Ncuti Gatwa’s Boateng-designed outfit featured bold patterns and sharp tailoring, showcasing his vibrant personality and commitment to representation.
Orange Culture NG (Nigeria)
Nigerian fashion brand Orange Culture, founded by Adebayo Oke-Lawal, made a significant impact at the 2025 Met Gala by designing a standout ensemble for actor Brian Tyree Henry.
Brian Tyree Henry
Brian Tyree Henry graced the red carpet in a custom Orange Culture creation that masterfully blended traditional Nigerian aesthetics with contemporary menswear. The ensemble featured a richly hued red suit paired with a patterned cape, black boots, and black gloves, embodying the gala’s theme of Black dandyism and tailored excellence. The look was further elevated with accessories like brooches and a leather tie, showcasing the brand’s commitment to detail and cultural storytelling.
Thebe Magugu (South Africa)
South African designer Thebe Magugu made a significant impact at the 2025 Met Gala by debuting his first-ever couture pieces, dressing both Aurora James and Ivy Getty in ensembles that celebrated African heritage and storytelling.
Aurora James
Canadian creative director and activist Aurora James wore a custom Thebe Magugu gown inspired by the female muses of Central and West African sartorial photographers from the 1950s and 1960s, such as Seydou Keïta, Malick Sidibé, and Mama Casset. The ensemble featured 12 meters of chemically crushed thorn-tree brown chiffon, meticulously pleated over 120 hours, and was paired with an engineered tulle-and-mesh gele, a traditional West African headpiece. Magugu described the look as a tribute to the powerful blend of vintage elegance, cultural pride, and subtle sensuality captured by these photographers.
Ivy Getty
Socialite Ivy Getty also donned a custom Thebe Magugu creation, a sandy tiered gown that embodied the rich tapestry of Black fashion. Magugu’s designs for both James and Getty emphasized that while the suit has historically been a symbol of respectability and power, Black style encompasses a broader vocabulary, drawing from ancestral textiles, streetwear ingenuity, church elegance, Afrofuturist visions, diasporic remixing, and gender-fluid experimentation.
David Tlale (South Africa)
Renowned South African designer David Tlale made a significant impact at the 2025 Met Gala by styling Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe in a custom creation that seamlessly blended traditional elegance with avant-garde sophistication.
Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe
Making her Met Gala debut, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, founder and CEO of Africa Fashion International (AFI), wore a structured suit featuring an off-shoulder neckline, sculptural tailoring, and a dramatic train. The ensemble, crafted from opulent jacquard in soft cream and gold hues, reimagined 70s-inspired bell-bottom pants through a couture lens. A bold, sculptural headpiece introduced a touch of Afro-futurism, making the entire look both regal and fashion-forward .
Tlale expressed that dressing Dr. Moloi-Motsepe for the Met Gala was a dream come true, marking a significant milestone in his 22-year career. He emphasized the importance of representing South African fashion on a global stage and the affirmation this opportunity brought to his brand’s journey.
Hanifa (USA/Congo)
Anifa Mvuemba, the Congolese-American designer behind the brand Hanifa, made a significant impact at the 2025 Met Gala by dressing Savannah James in a custom ensemble that paid homage to Black sartorial history.
Savannah James
Making her Met Gala debut, Savannah James embraced the evening’s theme with a bold interpretation that honoured cultural heritage and contemporary design. She wore a custom burgundy pinstripe gown by Hanifa, inspired by the Harlem zoot suit. The ensemble featured a sharply tailored silhouette with a button-up and matching tie, complemented by a dramatic 40-inch hairstyle and a statement lip. Savannah’s solo appearance was celebrated as a powerful representation of Black elegance and resilience.
English