African feast of fashion at Black Panther premiere

African-inspired fashion exploded on the black carpet rolled out for Wednesday night’s private screening of the blockbuster movie Black Panther.

Leading local proponents of black consciousness and activists for acceptance and recognition of the African heritage turned out at the Olympus Theatres, where the Ministry of Culture in association with the Commission for Pan African Affairs, hosted a packed theatre of guests to view the movie.

The predominantly young audience responded in what was a celebration of African fashion, mimicking the wardrobe in the film, which features prominently among the cast fashion-forward Mexican-Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o.

Styles worn by the entire cast represent the dress of Africa’s Maasai, Taureg, Akan, Ndebele and other tribes and the majority of patrons at Olympus appeared to have taken inspiration from the array of ethnic dress from across Africa, with all the distinctive nuances.

Prominent figures from the cultural arena strutted and posed, lighting up the black carpet in colourful short or full-length skirts with matching tops, an array of exquisitely designed dresses, finished off with the Gele or African headdress in many instances. Other women accentuated their outfits with authentic African scarves worn over the shoulder.

Not to be outdone, men donned Nigerian-styled dress, some wearing intricately embroidered tops and some opted to add a Fula (cap) to complete the look.

It was an African fashion feast indeed. (GC)