Ozwald Boateng marked his 40-year career in fashion by dressing celebrities at the Met Gala, themed 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.' Notable figures like Tems, Burna Boy, and Ncuti Gatwa wore his creations, reflecting Boatengâs influence on black cultural identity through his design. He has established a legacy by incorporating West African patterns into men's tailoring and emphasizes the importance of communicating style to a new audience. His work stands out in the fashion industry by challenging conventional norms and celebrating African heritage in contemporary fashion.
"I think it's, in a way, communicating to a new audience," he tells the BBC a few days after the showcase.
"It's all about having a strong concept, having a thorough idea of what you want to achieve from the textiles," he says.
"Being a theme about black culture and black cultural influence, I mean, how can you do that without Africa?" he asks.
"When we were colonised by the Europeans or the Brits, we kept our traditional dress, but tailoring was a big part of how we dressed to look more... effectively more European."
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