Africa Fashion – the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of fashion from the African continent ever mounted in Australia – opens today at the National Gallery of Victoria.
The exhibition coming to Melbourne from the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London and wide range of old and new fashion designs from top designers.
The Australian premiere of Africa Fashion includes almost 200 pieces, including ornate, custom-made, and everyday clothes, as well as body decorations. It features more than 50 designers from 22 countries and regions in Africa.
The exhibition showcases great designs from famous African fashion figures of the twentieth century, like Shade Thomas-Fahm, Chris Seydou, and Kofi Ansah. It includes works from the V&A and NGV collections, as well as pieces from the personal archives of these designers. It also highlights modern designers, such as Imane Ayissi, IAMISIGO, Moshions, Thebe Magugu, and Sindiso Khumalo, who are making detailed designs today.
For the Melbourne exhibition, the NGV asked members of Australia’s African diaspora to contribute by sharing personal photos online. These images, collected through NGV’s platforms and local networks, are displayed digitally in the exhibition along with personal statements.
Additionally, Melbourne photographer Thomas Suleiman Tumaini created a series of portraits showcasing the African diaspora’s influence on the city’s fashion scene. These portraits, featuring fashion designers, jewelry designers, models, stylists, and hair artists, complement the public submissions, continuing the exhibition’s story from past to present.
Photo: Eugene Hyland
Africa Fashion curator Dr Christine Checinska, Senior Curator African and African Diaspora: Textiles and Fashion at the V&A, said: “We hope Africa Fashion will inspire future generations of creative young people to engage with the arts through fashion and textiles. We are excited to share the exhibition with audiences in Melbourne.”
“The African fashion scene is as diverse as the continent itself – there is a sense of abundance rather than lack, an unbounded creativity, and an exercising of agency that for me is really engaging. We look forward to sharing a glimpse of the glamour and politics of the scene with audiences in Melbourne,” she said.
Highlights over the opening weekend of the exhibition include an introductory talk by Africa Fashion curator Dr Christine Checinska; a performance Hair Dayfeaturing hairstylists Zarah Garbrah and Agata Saka in collaboration with spoken word poets Thabani Tshuma,Chichi Nwokocha and artist Ebony Hickeyalongside Xavier Gibson and dancers from Asanti Dance Theatre; a weaving workshop with Muhubo Sulieman from Qaymi Arts & Crafts; plus, music from DJ Chris NG and performances from Brotha Asanti & Soulectric.
Throughout the season, artist-run organisations Next in Colour and Yo City present monthly programs and workshops as part of NGV Residencies. Taking place on 20 July, 17 August and 21 September, the Africa diaspora led organisations will present free programming for visitors of all ages.
During the exhibition’s opening weekend, you can catch Dr. Christine Checinska, the curator of Africa Fashion, giving an introductory talk. There’s also a performance called “Hair Day” featuring hairstylists Zarah Garbrah and Agata Saka, along with spoken word poets Thabani Tshuma and Chichi Nwokocha, and artist Ebony Hickey, joined by Xavier Gibson and dancers from Asanti Dance Theatre. Muhubo Sulieman from Qaymi Arts & Crafts will lead a weaving workshop, and there’ll be music from DJ Chris NG and performances from Brotha Asanti & Soulectric.
Throughout the season, Next in Colour and Yo City, artist-run organizations, will host monthly programs and workshops as part of NGV Residencies. Happening on July 20, August 17, and September 21, these organizations led by the African diaspora will offer free programming suitable for visitors of all ages.
Africa Fashion is on display from 31 May to 6 October 2024 at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Admission fees apply. Further information and tickets are available via the NGV website: NGV.MELBOURNE
