Conversation
November 12, 2025 | Noon to 1 p.m.
As part of the Africa Fashion exhibition, the McCord Stewart Museum is partnering with the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and the Centre culturel afro-canadien de Montréal (CCAM) to present a virtual conversation on fashion design in African cultures. The event will bring together three internationally acclaimed designers whose work is featured in the exhibition.
From Cameroon, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, these designers will share their perspectives on three major themes: the creative process, design as a bridge between cultural heritage and future vision, and engaging with Western audiences.
Speakers
Host and co-conception of the activity, Audrey Bartis, Professor in Théorie, culture et valorisation de la mode, École de design, UQAM
Dive into the world of fashion and design
Through an exploration of their journeys—rooted in both personal histories and cultural traditions—the conversation will delve into each designer’s creative process, from conceptual or narrative sources to material and technical choices that bring their collections to life.
The discussion will also reflect on fashion design’s role as a bridge between tradition and the imagination of possible futures, with particular attention to African contexts and their relationship to the global fashion scene.
Finally, the panel will examine issues of accessibility and visibility for African fashion in the context of the exhibition: beyond cultural celebration, what challenges remain in terms of international recognition and commercialization? And can fashion serve as an effective ambassador for African design cultures in the world today?
Information
- Free activity in French, presented on Wednesday, November 12, from 12 to 1 p.m.
- Online, reservation required
On Vimeo: register here to receive the link (an email will be sent before the event). After the event, you will receive a recording of the talk.
You can also watch live on the Museum’s Facebook, LinkedIn or YouTube page, by registering for the online event. - Duration : 60 minutes
Exhibitions
Until February 1, 2026
Africa Fashion
Organized by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, 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, 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.
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