For the first time in Met Gala history, black fashion is being celebrated, and black women are at the forefront.
For the first time in the Met gala’s 77-year history, black fashion is being celebrated. Black women such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Tyla Doechii, Janelle Monáe, Simone Biles, Angel Reese, Sha’Carri Richardson, Regina King and Ayo Edibiri are at the forefront.
No longer just attendees or muses, they are part of the architects of the night, shaping its vision and deciding whose designs take centre stage. They will also ensure that black creativity is acknowledged and honoured.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the literary powerhouse who has long championed African identity, and Tyla, the South African musician redefining global pop culture, are among the black women at the helm of this year’s gala. This time around, not just as attendees but as part of the influential Met Gala Committee. Their roles in shaping the event go beyond walking the red carpet; they are helping to curate the guest list and influence the night’s overarching narrative. They will also ensure that black fashion is not just present but central to the conversation.
For African fashion, this moment is groundbreaking. Having Chimamanda, a vocal supporter of Nigerian designers, on the committee means greater visibility for African craftsmanship on a stage that has historically favoured Western couture.
Additionally, Tyla’s presence introduces a new wave of Afro-futurist and Y2K-inspired African fashion to a global audience. Their influence could mean more African designers dressing A-list celebrities and more African textiles and silhouettes on display. It could also mean a shift in how luxury fashion acknowledges and incorporates African aesthetics—not as an afterthought, but as a driving force in global style.
Joining them are style disruptors like Doechii, Angel Reese, Janelle Monáe, and Sha’Carri Richardson. These women have continuously pushed the boundaries of fashion, culture, and identity. Their presence signals a long overdue shift: black women are no longer just muses but the architects of fashion’s future.
A seat at the table: What the chair committee means
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The Met Gala’s chair committee plays a crucial role in shaping the night’s vision, from the guest list to the themes that influence the exhibition. Traditionally dominated by Hollywood elites and European fashion powerhouses, this year’s committee reflects a seismic shift. With Chimamanda, Tyla, Doechii, Janelle Monáe, Angel Reese, and Sha’Carri Richardson on board. Black and African storytelling will take centre stage. Their presence ensures that African designers, aesthetics, and narratives won’t just be referenced—they will be revered in a way that acknowledges their depth, influence, and innovation.
Janelle Monáe has been a long-standing icon of androgynous, avant-garde fashion, while Doechii’s boundary-pushing style brings a fearless, experimental energy. Angel Reese, with her unapologetic confidence, and Sha’Carri Richardson, known for her electrifying presence on and off the track. Prove that athleticism and high fashion are a match made in heaven.
Black women and the Met Gala: From guests to gatekeepers
We are excited about the involvement of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Tyla, and many more black women in the 2025 Met Gala. For years, black women have defined some of the event’s most iconic moments—Rihanna’s imperial yellow Guo Pei gown, Zendaya’s Cinderella transformation, Beyoncé’s Givenchy nude illusion. But there’s a difference between being the face of a night and having a seat at the table. This year, black women aren’t just wearing the gowns; they are deciding which stories are told, whose designs are celebrated, and how fashion history is rewritten.
Beyond Chimamanda, Tyla, Doechii, Janelle Monáe, Angel Reese, and Sha’Carri Richardson, other black women on the host committee include Regina King and Ayo Edebiri, each bringing a unique cultural impact. This isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about power, legacy, and how black women have shaped global fashion for centuries.
What this means for African fashion
Undoubtedly, with African women helping steer the event, expect African designers to receive long-overdue recognition. Will we see Chimamanda in Lisa Folawiyo’s intricate beadwork? Tyla in a Thebe Magugu masterpiece? Doechii in a bold, Rich Mnisi design? The possibilities are endless. But one thing I hope for is that African fashion won’t just be an afterthought—it will be celebrated as an essential force in global style.
This year’s Met Gala isn’t just a celebration of fashion—it’s a rewriting of black fashion history. Black women are not only present; they are leading. And with Chimamanda, Tyla, Doechii, Janelle Monáe, Simone Biles, Angel Reese, Sha’Carri Richardson, and a powerhouse of cultural icons on board, one thing is certain: the perception of African and Black fashion will be revolutionised.