The McCord Stewart Museum in Montreal is hosting the Africa Fashion exhibition from September 25, 2025 through February 1, 2026. Originally organized by London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, this is the only Canadian stop on its international tour. The exhibition features over one hundred garments, accessories, textiles, photographs, and videos that highlight the evolution of African fashion from the early 1960s to the present day.
By framing African fashion as a powerful medium of postcolonial self-expression, the show elevates designers, makers, and photographers from across the continent.
What to See and Why It Matters
A Rich Tapestry of Designers Across Generations
The exhibition spotlights forty-five designers, from mid-20th-century pioneers to current disruptors. Names like Naïma Bennis, Chris Seydou, Kofi Ansah, Alphadi, Imane Ayissi, IAMISIGO, Moshions, Thebe Magugu, and Sindiso Khumalo are featured. Their work traces how traditional fabrics and textile practices became symbols of identity and independence, while today’s designers challenge boundaries of culture, race, gender, and aesthetics.
Photography: Witness to Fashion, Identity, Change
Twelve photographers contribute key visual narratives. From the postcolonial euphoria of the 1960s to contemporary reinterpretations of self-identity, their work documents the layered fashion consciousness of Africa.
Representation Through Mannequins
One of the most symbolic aspects of the exhibition is the way garments are displayed. Curators developed mannequins designed to reflect African features, with four different skin tones and three hairstyles, based on digital sculpting and consultation with South Sudanese model Adhel Bol.
Adhel Bol herself commented on the importance of visibility: "I had never seen a brown or black mannequin in my life … to see myself brought to life in this way … I hope it can inspire young Black boys and girls to feel represented."
The intent is not to create a single African look, but to evoke diversity and inclusion, reinforcing that fashion thrives in plurality.
Behind the Scenes & Sustainability
Creative Leadership and Team
At the heart of the exhibition is Dr. Christine Checinska, Senior Curator of African and African Diaspora Textiles and Fashion at the V&A, and lead curator for Africa Fashion. She is supported by curators, designers, project managers, and exhibition staff from both the V&A and the McCord Museum.
Eco-Design & Waste Reduction
The McCord Museum implemented strategies to minimize waste. Most display elements were taken from existing stock. New wooden structures were designed for reuse in future exhibitions. Graphic panels were printed on sustainable materials, and all multimedia equipment came from existing inventory. Through reuse and careful planning, sustainability was integrated into the exhibition’s design.
Related Events & Cultural Context
In addition to the exhibition, the McCord Museum collaborates with the Centre culturel afro-canadien de Montréal to present Bal Afrikana, a gala celebrating Black creativity through fashion, performance, and arts. Guests wear African or Afro-Caribbean attire and enjoy performances from local talent.
The inaugural edition in 2024 was praised for its elegance and cultural importance. In 2025, under the theme Renaissance, over 300 guests attended, strengthening the spirit of inclusivity and unity in Montreal.
Final Thoughts
The Africa Fashion exhibition is more than a showcase of garments. It is a narrative of cultural resilience, creative voices, and changing dynamics in global fashion. With its visuals, representative mannequins, and thoughtful curation, it invites visitors to rethink how fashion history is told. It also highlights the role museums play in sustainability and in amplifying underrepresented voices worldwide.
