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Beauty/Fashion

The Dandy Met Gala

Every year, the Met Gala is a dazzling ode to fashion, art, and culture, but 2025 was different. It wasn’t just another glamorous evening in the Untitled Sky of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was a cultural milestone. The theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” was a sweeping tribute to Black fashion, identity, and the enduring legacy of Black dandyism. This wasn’t just fashion for fashion’s sake but heritage, defiance, and elegance in motion. Black Elegance on Center Stage Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s influential book Slaves to Fashion, this year’s exhibit broke boundaries. For the first time in 22 years, the focus was solely on menswear, but not just any menswear. This was Black suiting reimagined through a dozen themes: Ownership, Look, Disguise, Freedom, Presence, Cosmopolitanism, and more. Each room in the exhibition felt like a different heartbeat of the diaspora. The accompanying dress code, “Tailored for You,” wasn’t just about custom fits; it was an invitation to bring your full, unfiltered self. To wear a story. As co-chair Pharrell Williams put it: “You throw it on Sunday after working all week.” And that was the spirit. Effortless cool born from effort. Faith meets finesse. Joy meets struggle. Inside the World of the Black Dandy So what is Black Dandyism, really? Think velvet blazers, ornate brooches, and wide-brimmed hats. Think of walking into a room like it owes you a round of applause. At its heart, it’s about style that says: I see your rules and I’ll raise you some silk brocade and a killer hat.  Inspired by icons including British dandy Beau Brummell, who once said, “Don’t talk about your clothes, let your clothes do the talking,” the Black Dandy is intentional. A Night of African Creatives What made this year’s Met Gala particularly noteworthy was the undeniable presence of African designers and artists.  Patience Torlowei, the Nigerian designer known for storytelling through textiles, brought a gown that shimmered with tradition and avant-garde flair. Ozwald Boateng, Ghanaian-British tailoring legend, proved once again that heritage and haute couture go hand in hand. Agbobly, the Togo-born innovator, married West African weaving with modern silhouettes. From Iké Udé to Paradis of Côte d’Ivoire, African fashion wasn’t just included; it was central. And the stars? They wore the continent with pride. Tyla, South Africa’s breakout star, floated down the carpet in a structured white Jacquemus gown styled by the iconic Law Roach. Minimalism, meet majesty. Tems wore Ankara like armor, while Burna Boy, styled in a bespoke look by Ozwald Boateng, redefined red carpet suiting with cultural fire. One of the most striking looks came from Brian Tyree Henry, who appeared in a maroon suit with a regal brocade cape by Orange Culture, the Nigerian label known for gender-fluid tailoring. His walk? A love letter to Black royalty. Savannah James stunned in a striped corset and fishtail skirt by Hanifa, a silhouette that echoed tradition and power. And then came Diana Ross, styled in bold by Ugo Mozie, proving that the legends never miss. It wasn’t just a red carpet; it was a parade of pride. The Details Were the Drama Because sometimes, it’s not just what you wear, it’s how. Khaby Lame wore time like jewelry, a waistcoat dotted with vintage watch faces, stitched by BOSS, styled by Ugo Mozie. Every tick was tailored. Ayo Edebiri showed up in coral power. Her Ferragamo look fused Edo royalty with downtown edge — beaded, belted, unforgettable. Adut Akech shimmered like starlight in motion, 25,550 Swarovski crystals on a gilet mini and feather-lined tailcoat. Precision met poetry. Anok Yai turned heads in a black brocade bodice with optical sleeves by Thom Browne, part suit, part sorcery. Chimamanda blazed in scarlet Prabal Gurung, crowned in feathers and fire. A whole statement, no footnotes needed. The Power of Intentional Dressing To center Black culture on this global stage was to right a historical imbalance. It signaled a shift from appropriation to appreciation, from marginalization to celebration. It was an acknowledgment that Black fashion is a foundation. Even Anna Wintour, the longstanding Met Gala chair, has seen the fashion industry undergo significant changes over the years, but this year, she is inspired by how much it means to the black community. Her take on how Men’s fashion has changed in the last two decades: “It’s become so much more imaginative, risk-taking, fearless, and fun, which is what the exhibition is all about,” she said.  The 2025 Met Gala marked a pivotal moment. From the Silk & Sound Choir’s opening to the final flashbulbs, the night announced that Black fashion isn’t a one-off. It’s a turning point. The message was clear: the fashion is tailored for us.

May 8, 2025
Beauty/Fashion

It’s More than Skincare: A Blueprint for Ethical Beauty

Written by: Oluwakemi Adedoyin What if beauty wasn’t just about glowing skin but about fairness, culture, and sustainability? What if every drop of oil and every dollop of butter had a special origin story; one that empowers communities, sustains traditions, and celebrates Black beauty all over the world? Beauty is not only what is in the jar, but where it is from, whom it benefits, and the story it tells. For decades, African beauty routines have used impressive traditions and nature’s best, including Ghana’s golden shea butter and Southern Africa’s fertile marula oil. But, as beauty becomes global, ethical beauty has to be the new standard. After all, what’s the use of beautiful skin if it harms people and the planet? The True Cost of Beauty It’s an uncomfortable truth: Some of the most popular skincare items like shea butter, baobab oil, and black soap are from Africa, yet the profits frequently don’t accrue to the women who manually harvest them. Major beauty companies slap “organic” or “natural” on their labels, but are they uplifting the very women who harvest these ingredients by hand? Are they compensating the laborers adequately? Are they supporting traditional methods, or just making a profit from them? Clean beauty is about shifting the way you think. It’s about knowing where your skincare is from, who made it, and whether they were treated fairly. It’s about celebrating African beauty, not just as an aesthetic, but as a movement.   A Blueprint for Ethical Beauty   Support Ethical Sourcing: Know Your Ingredients, Know Your People Your skincare should be as rich in story as the earth it comes from. Get behind brands who directly source their products from African cooperatives, where farmers and artisans receive fair compensation.  Be curious. Read labels. Be a conscious consumer. Honor Ancestral Knowledge: Our Grandmothers Knew First The West did not discover shea butter, our grandmothers did. Before there were beauty aisles, there were family recipes. Traditional African skincare relies on knowledge that has been passed down through generations. Rather than searching for the next lab-created miracle cream, utilize what has been proven effective for centuries. 2. Dismantle Eurocentric Beauty Standards Ethical beauty is not only product-related; it is also about representation. Dark skin, curly hair, and African features must be celebrated, not hidden. Patronize brands that celebrate and affirm diverse beauty. 3. Invest in Black-Owned Beauty From Lagos to London, Nairobi to New York, African and diaspora entrepreneurs are redefining beauty standards and ethical production. Invest in what you believe in. Beauty in Action   The discussion of ethical beauty is not just theoretical; it is currently being realized by innovative brands that invest in fair trade, sustainable practice, and cultural integrity. Not only are they reworking industry expectations, but they are also demonstrating to the world that luxury and responsibility can exist together as beauty. Hanahana Beauty, for example, is pioneering sustainable skincare, promoting fair trade practices, and empowering women shea producers in Ghana. Their focus on honesty and quality is creating a new gold standard for the beauty industry. Other innovative brands like 54 Thrones, LIHA Beauty, and Nolaskinsentials are showing that beauty can be ethical, luxurious, and strongly connected to African heritage. This isn’t just a trend, it’s a revolution. The next time you reach for that face mask or body butter, consider this: Is this beauty, or is this exploitation? For beauty isn’t only skin deep. It’s cultural. It’s ours.

April 30, 2025
Culture

They Took Our Art, But Not Our Genius: The African Artists Redefining the Global Stage

For centuries, Africa has been the world’s favorite muse. Its sculptures adorn European museums, its fabrics inspire haute couture, and its rhythms set the pulse of global music. Yet, for far too long, the world consumed African art without acknowledging African artists. They looted the masks but ignored the makers. They auctioned the bronze but erased the blacksmith. They sang our melodies but silenced our voices. Not anymore. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the art houses of Paris, from Accra’s design studios to Hollywood’s sound stages, a new wave of African artists is reclaiming the narrative. They are not just participating in the global cultural conversation; they are leading it. This is not about playing catch-up—it’s about setting the pace. The Renaissance is Black and Bold Walk into any contemporary art fair, and you’ll see it—works by African artists commanding center stage, not tucked away as an “ethnic” afterthought. Names like Amoako Boafo, Toyin Ojih Odutola, and Laetitia Ky are making the world take notice. Their art isn’t a postcard version of Africa wrapped in safari aesthetics. It’s bold, modern, unapologetic. It speaks of identity, resilience, and the complexities of being African in a world that once tried to define us without us. Take the rise of Afrobeats—no longer just a niche genre but a global cultural force. Artists like Burna Boy, Tems, and Rema aren’t merely exporting African sounds; they are dictating the sound of global pop. And it’s not just music—Nollywood is rewriting the rules of storytelling, with films like Aníkúlápó and The Black Book gaining international acclaim. These aren’t just success stories; they are statements: Africa is here, and Africa is thriving. Let’s talk about restitution—not just of stolen artifacts, but of respect. While Europe debates whether or not to return Africa’s looted art, African creatives have moved on to a bigger question: What happens after the return? The real power lies not in reclaiming what was taken, but in proving that African creativity never stopped. Institutions like the Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town and the Museum of Black Civilizations in Dakar are ensuring that Africa curates its genius, rather than waiting for external validation. Meanwhile, digital art platforms and NFT marketplaces are empowering African artists to bypass traditional gatekeepers and sell their work directly to a global audience. Beyond Borders, Beyond Labels African artists today refuse to be boxed in. They are African, yes, but they are also universal. They are avant-garde, experimental, futuristic. Kenyan fashion designer Thebe Magugu doesn’t just make African clothes; he makes high fashion that happens to be African. The Sudanese model Adut Akech isn’t just a “black model”; she is a supermodel, period. This shift is not about asking for a seat at the table—it’s about building a new table altogether. Platforms like AfriNolly, Afrochella, and the Lagos Biennial are creating spaces where African art, music, and storytelling thrive on their own terms. And with social media as the new global gallery, African creatives no longer need permission to be seen. They show up, and the world watches. For decades, the global narrative framed Africa as “emerging.” But let’s be clear: Africa has emerged. It has always been here, creating, innovating, inspiring. The only thing that has changed is that the world is finally paying attention. So let them take the artifacts if they must. Let them debate over restitution. But they can never take the genius. Because Africa is not just the past—it is the present, and more importantly, it is the future. The world isn’t ready? Too bad. Africa isn’t waiting.

April 25, 2025