Exhibition: Mandela: The Inspirational Style of a Revolutionary Statesman and World Leader — Closes

October 13–November 7
Fashion and Textile History Gallery

Nelson Mandela’s “Madiba” shirts were dramatically different from the conventional western suits worn by most politicians in South Africa and around the world. They were also the opposite of the hateful, drab prison garb that he was forced to wear for almost three decades. Made of brightly-patterned silk, Mandela’s Madiba shirts became emblematic of post-apartheid freedom, and were particularly meaningful to the Black majority of South Africans.

Several of these shirts and one of Mandela’s suits will be on view at The Museum at FIT before they will be auctioned off at Guernsey’s Auction House with other historic objects to raise funds for a Nelson Mandela Memorial Garden in South Africa.

Visit fitnyc.edu/museum for new museum hours and for visitor protocols.

This exhibition is free and open to the public.