Fashion items from 25 of the 54 African countries will be on display at this exhibition at the V & A, which is scheduled to open this weekend.
More than 170 years after the V & A began, the gallery will finally showcase an exhibition dedicated to African fashion designers who haven’t received the mainstream attention they deserve.
Designers who worked with Beyonce and architect David Adjaye will appear with shakers from other industries.
The history of V & A has been previously scrutinized for its connection to British colonialism in Africa. Many of its valuables have been secured from behind the scenes of this past. For example, McDara’s treasure was taken out of Ethiopia in 1868.
V & A is currently aiming to include more works by African and African diaspora designers, and this exhibition is one way to do that.
In a statement released by V & A, this new exhibition expands the museum’s permanent collection of works by African and African diaspora designers, using richness and fashion as catalysts for African creativity, culture and history. Diversity.
Two years after its production, the exhibition dates back to the era of liberation in the 1950s and 1960s, when 24 African countries were liberated from colonial rule, to modern designers.
More than 250 objects are on display, 70 of which are new acquisitions of the museum and feature clothing featuring 40 contemporary designers.
V & A curator Christine Checinska said:
“So we hope visitors will feel inspiration and move away, and perhaps some assumptions may be challenged as well.
“So it’s a place where you can think about African fashion, experience the bustling African fashion scene, get inspired and want to know more.”
Christine adds:
“That’s how important their influence is now. So they demand to be seen. They demand to be heard.
“And we see those influences spreading across global fashion.”
African Fashion will be held at the Victoria and Albert Museum from July 2nd..
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