A historic genesis at the Victoria and Albert Museum
It all began in July 2022, under the majestic vaults of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V& A). Under the direction of Dr Christine Checinska, the first Chief Curator of the Department of African Fashion and Textiles, the project was born with a clear ambition: to decolonize the Western gaze.
The exhibition doesn’t just show clothes; it proposes a political intervention. By presenting over 250 objects from 20 countries, the V&A has broken down the monolithic vision of “Africa” to embrace a plurality of individual and collective narratives. It’s a celebration of fashion as a catalyst for complex stories about identity and culture.
A manifesto against clichés
One of the strengths of this exhibition is its ability to link the past with the future. It explores the period of the African Cultural Renaissance, the independence movement and the way textiles served as a vehicle for liberation and national pride.
Pioneers such as Shade Thomas-Fahm, Chris Seydou and Kofi Ansah are featured alongside the contemporary new guard. This narrative rejects reductive labels to show that African fashion is an eclectic, dynamic and ever-changing scene.
A consecration at the Musée du Quai Branly
In 2025-2026, the exhibition will cross the Channel to the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. This Parisian stop is highly symbolic. Paris, the historic capital of fashion, finally welcomes this institutional recognition of African creativity.
The exhibition at Quai Branly offers an immersive experience, combining music, photography and rare textiles. It highlights the influence of the diaspora and the way contemporary designers, from Lagos to Casablanca, are reinventing the codes of luxury and global lifestyle. For French and international audiences alike, it’s an invitation to discover the excellence of “Made in Africa”.
Beyond the event, a structural change
The worldwide tour of the “Africa Fashion” exhibition should not be seen as an ephemeral event. It is the sign of a structural change in the mission of museums. In fact, the V&A has enriched its permanent collections with many of the pieces on display, guaranteeing a lasting presence for African fashion in the world’s art archives.
By institutionalizing these talents, the exhibition validates what enthusiasts and industry experts have long known: Africa is the beating heart of global creativity.
The “Africa Fashion” exhibition is an invitation to travel and reflect. It reminds us that clothing is much more than an ornament; it is a language, an armor and a bridge between generations. Visit the Musée Quai Branly Jacques Chirac from March 31 to July 12, 2026.
photo credit: Kofi Ansah Indigo Couture 1997 Eric Don Arthur, Chris Seydou Nabil Zorkot
Read also
