Temporary exhibition

From September 25, 2025 to February 1, 2026

Africa Fashion

The McCord Stewart Museum will present Africa Fashion—in an exclusive Canadian showing—from September 25, 2025, to February 1, 2026. Created by the V&A, this exhibition—one of the largest ever dedicated to African fashions—invites audiences to experience the creative energy of designers from across the African continent.

From the turn of the 1960s to today, the exhibition features men’s, women’s and gender fluid fashion and accessories, jewellery, textiles, photographs, music and art that together bear witness to both the foundational role that textiles, clothing and body adornment have played in African cultures, and how fashion became a powerful force for post-colonial self-expression, drawing international attention for its limitless creativity, just like Africa itself.

The exhibition celebrates the talent and influence of pioneers such as Naïma Bennis, Shade Thomas-Fahm, Chris Seydou, Kofi Ansah and Alphadi, while also featuring contemporary designers including Imane Ayissi, IAMISIGO, Moshions, Thebe Magugu and Sindiso Khumalo.

  • <em>Models holding hands,</em>. Lagos, Nigeria, 2019 by Stephen Tayo. Courtesy of Lagos Fashion Week
  • <em>Gods of the Wilderness</em> collection, IAMISIGO, Kenya, Spring/Summer 2019 Courtesy of IAMISIGO. Photography by Ines Valle
  • MAXHOSAAFRICA, IAMISIGO, Imane Ayissi © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
  • <em>Intsinzi</em> collection, Moshions, Rwanda, Spring/Summer 2018 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
  • Self-portrait, Gouled Ahmed, <em>Addis Foam</em>, Ethiopia
  • <em>Dakala Cloth</em> ensemble, <em>Who Knew</em> collection, Abuja, Nigeria, Spring/Summer 2019. Image courtesy of Nkwo Onwuka © Kola Oshalusi
  • <em>Alchemy</em> collection, Thebe Magugu, Johannesburg, Afrique du sud, automne/hiver 2021, Photographie: Tatenda Chidora, Stylisme et mise en scène: Chloe Andrea Welgemoed, Mannequin: Sio
  • <em>Mbeuk Idourrou</em> collection, Imane Ayissi, Paris, France, Autumn/Winter 2019. Photography by Fabrice Malard / Courtesy of Imane Ayissi
  • Design by Chris Seydou, Grand-Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire, 1991 © Nabil Zorkot
  • ANC Nelson Mandela commemorative cloth   South Africa, 1991 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
  • Sanlé Sory, <em>Je Vais Décoller</em>, 1977 © Sanlé Sory/Tezeta. Courtesy David Hill Gallery
  • <em>Freedom in my hand I bring</em>, dress fabric   Manchester, England, c. 1960 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
  • Kofi Ansah ‘Indigo’  Couture 1997, Emmanuel Narh “Taller”  Gaduga and Linda Tsirakasu -  Photo © 1997 <a title="" href="http://www.EricDonArthur.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eric Don-Arthur</a>

Not to be missed!

Created by the V&A – touring the world.
Thanks to our partners
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Not to be missed!