Brooklyn Talks: Africa’s Global Rise in Fashion

Before Africa Fashion closes, four vanguard designers take the stage to reflect on the global impact and innovations of African designers today. Taofeek Abijako, Jacques Agbobly, Sarah Diouf, and Abrima Erwiah discuss their respective journeys into fashion, their recent projects, and the significance of the current cultural renaissance on the continent and beyond. Moderated by curators Annissa Malvoisin and Ernestine White-Mifetu.

Presented in partnership with Black Fashion Fair  and ALÁRA .

About the designers

Taofeek Abijako is the creative force behind Head of State, a clothing brand that represents postcolonial youth culture. The Nigerian-born, Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist and designer conceptualized Head of State as a high school student and became the youngest designer to show at New York Fashion Week.

Jacques Agbobly, who hails from Togo, is the founder and creative director of Agbobly (f.k.a. Black Boy Knits). They are known for emphasizing Black, queer, and immigrant design codes, highlighting a global perspective.

Sarah Diouf is the founder of Tongoro, an entirely made-in-Africa, digital-native label designed, sourced, and produced in Dakar, Senegal. Promoting local artisanship and investing in training, the brand’s long-term goal is to contribute to the development of garment production across West Africa.

Abrima Erwiah is a cofounder (along with Rosario Dawson) of Studio 189, an artisan-produced fashion brand based between Ghana and the United States. Studio 189 specializes in sustainability and traditional techniques, including plant-based dye indigo, hand-dyed batik, and kente weaving. Erwiah is also a professor and Founding Director of the Gromek Institute for Fashion Business at The New School / Parsons School of Design.

Tickets are $30 and include after-hours access to Africa Fashion (last entry: 9:30 pm). Member tickets are $18. Not a Member? Join today!

For access needs, such as ASL interpretation, email us at access@​brooklynmuseum.​org .