On display through January 29 in FIT’s Art and Design Gallery, African Diaspora: Fashion Design AAS Exhibition honors the powerful influence of African culture on contemporary fashion. African Diaspora is free and open to the public daily.
The show, featuring garments created by FIT’s second-year Fashion Design students, takes its inspiration from The Museum at FIT‘s (MFIT) current exhibition Africa’s Fashion Diaspora, on display through December 29. Both exhibitions delve into themes of identity, resilience, and creativity, celebrating the contributions of African-descendant communities to style and self-expression in fashion design. By exploring the interconnectedness of Black culture across borders, the exhibitions invite visitors from all backgrounds to engage in this shared narrative, emphasizing the dynamic role of African influence in the contemporary fashion landscape.
The students’ design process began with in-depth research, which held particular significance for a number of students as they explored their own cultural heritage within the African Diaspora and incorporated personal elements into their work. Once the initial design concepts were completed, students collaborated closely with FIT professors and industry critics to transform their 2D illustrations into fully realized 3D garments.
“My design celebrates Afro-Puerto Rican culture, which is a vibrant blend of African heritage and the indigenous Taino culture,” wrote Fashion Design AAS student Nahomi M. Mercedes De Jesús. “Puerto Rico is rich in folklore, and this design embodies the essence of Afro-Puerto Rican dance and music, known as Bomba and Plena.”
“Rooted in the spirit of transformation, this garment reimagines the African Adinkra symbol Dwennimmen—an emblem of strength and humility, rendered as two rams clashing horns,” wrote Critic Award Winner Emma Van De Wyngaerde. “More than a nod to tradition, it’s a bold statement on the mountains of textile waste sent to Africa and a tribute to the ingenious women of Ghana who rise to the challenge, turning scraps into triumphs.”
“The craftsmanship, artistry, and dedication behind each garment highlight the dynamic collaboration between students, faculty, and industry critics,” said Su Ku, assistant professor and chair of the Fashion department.
African Diaspora also marks the first time that the Fashion Design AAS exhibition also features the work of Photography and Illustration students. FIT’s Photography and Related Media students documented each stage of the project’s development, capturing moments from Fashion Design AAS classes as students refined and prepared their work for the final garment presentations. Illustration AAS faculty incorporated MFIT’s Africa’s Fashion Diaspora into their coursework through student drawing sessions with live models, African sculpture, textiles, and patterns. The faculty was impressed by how the students immersed themselves in the subject matter. The diversity aspect and the African Diaspora touches on so many genres and reached each student in a different way, as each student added their own visual interpretation to the African Diaspora through their line drawings.
“I’m always excited to have our program involved in interdisciplinary projects like this,” said Dan Shefelman, chair of Illustration and Interactive Media. “The Fashion Design AAS Exhibition is always inspiring, and the second-year student work confirmed my instinct that they would rise to the challenge with a high level of creativity and craft.”
African Diaspora: Fashion Design AAS Exhibition is on display through January 29 in FIT’s Art and Design Gallery. The gallery, located in the glass-walled lobby of the college’s Pomerantz Center, is a window into the college and a window out, serving as a space to foster learning and innovation. The gallery is free and open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm daily.
Visit fitnyc.edu/gallery for more information.