Africa’s Fashion Diaspora at The Museum at FIT is Stunning

The Museum at FIT located in the heart of the Fashion District is an innovative gem.  With free admission, it affords guests the opportunity to see exhibitions that are truly superb. And now through December 29, “Africa’s Fashion Diaspora” is on display. Expertly curated by Elizabeth Way, it is not to be missed.

Africa’s Fashion Diaspora asks a pressing question that has been posed by many experts. “Do black people across Africa and its diaspora create and maintain shared or related cultures?” Through illuminating, colorful displays of clothing and accessories, visitors will have an opportunity to explore and understand critical fashion influences.

We are especially impressed by the way that the fashions have been grouped in nine pertinent themes that include: Reaching for Africa; Mothers and Motherlands: A Black Atlantic; Homecoming; History is Political; Transcendent and Supernatural; Monumental Cloth; Tun Yuh Han Mek Fashan; and Ubuntu.  Each of these themes is suggestive of how designer’s narratives can be best understood and related to other Black designers’ inspirations. 

Fashion is a source of history, storytelling, and culture. A visit to Africa’s Fashion Diaspora is an opportunity to appreciate the concept of how Black people around the globe add to a cultural dialogue that transcends differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, sexual orientation, and locality. There’s an incredible array of styles on display across generations. Engage and enjoy! 

Our readers will like to know that The Museum at FIT offers interesting Special Programs. Upcoming ones include “Fashioning the Beatles” and “Black Designers: Leading New Fashion Models.”  For more information on the Museum, and Programs visit the website.

Photo Credit: Marina Kennedy