UCLA’s Fowler Museum will celebrate the opening of “African-Print Fashion Now!” with exhibition curators Suzanne Gott and Betsy Quick from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Fowler’s Lenart Auditorium on Saturday, March 25.
Presenting the dynamic story of exhibition textiles, Gott will discuss African-print cloth's inspiration in Indonesia, its manufacture in Europe, its African identity and current status in the global marketplace.
Quick will moderate a conversation with Ghanaian-Nigerian fashion designer Titi Ademola and British-Ivorian designer Alexis Temomanin, while runway models demonstrate some of their recent designs.
“African-Print Fashion Now!” will introduce visitors to a dynamic and diverse African dress tradition, as well as the increasingly interconnected and globalized fashion world. The exhibition will display popular African-print styles created by local seamstresses and tailors across the continent; international runway fashions designed by Africa’s newest generation of couturiers; and boundary-breaking, transnational and youth styles favored in Africa’s urban centers.
All will feature the colorful, boldly designed and manufactured cotton textiles that have come to be known as African-print cloth. “African-Print Fashion Now!” will be exhibited at the Fowler Museum from March 26 through July 30.
After the opening program discussion, the Fowler will host informal modeling of African designer fashions along with African music, dancing and more until 9 p.m.
The exhibition opening celebration is free to attend. RSVP by March 20 via email at fowlerRSVP@arts.ucla.edu, or call 310-206-7001.
