Latest news with #OzwaldBoateng
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ozwald Boateng: From reviving Savile Row to dressing Burna Boy for the Met Gala
Ozwald Boateng, celebrating four decades of making his indelible mark on the fashion industry, got his chance to stamp his style on the Met Gala in New York earlier this esteemed British-Ghanaian designer for the first time dressed celebrities - including three of Africa's biggest musicians, Tems, Burna Boy and Arya Starr, as well as actors Ncuti Gatwa and Jaden Smith - at what is seen as his industry's biggest night of the theme - Superfine: Tailoring Black Style - was "completely in my wheelhouse", he says, as it looked at the way that style formed black that he already has a robust legacy in the design world, the 58-year-old saw the opportunity to find fresh adherents to the Boateng look. "I think it's, in a way, communicating to a new audience," he tells the BBC a few days after the his 40 years in fashion, the designer has built a reputation for challenging the norms of men's tailoring. His eponymous brand sells form-fitting, stylish suits, often accented with bold colours and West African-inspired son of Ghanaian immigrants, Boateng reimagined the country's iconic kente cloth to produce his signature "tribal" pattern."It's all about having a strong concept, having a thorough idea of what you want to achieve from the textiles," he Met Gala perfectly matched his outlook. "Being a theme about black culture and black cultural influence, I mean, how can you do that without Africa?" he asks. Considering the link to Ghana, Boateng explains: "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. "My father always wore tailored suits. You had to be smart at all times, that was something I was taught."As if producing outfits for 16 celebrities for fashion's premier event was not stressful enough, Boateng switched up Burna Boy's outfit less than 24 hours before the event."We did his fitting quite literally the night before the Met Gala," Boateng says, adding that everyone in the room got "really excited" when they saw the Grammy-award winning musician in the finished product. The look - a red suit paired with a buttercup yellow shirt and eel-skin cape - was partly inspired by Burna Boy's Nigerian roots. The musician told Vogue: "As a waterside pikin [Pidgin for "child"] from the Niger Delta, the eel and fish in general are the lifeblood of my people - they symbolise survival, spirit and the flow of tradition through generations." The Met Gala was "not unusual", Boateng says, explaining that Africa has been part of his "message" throughout his in 1995, Boateng was the first black designer to open a shop on Savile Row, a London street famed for fine tailoring."When I first started as a designer, Savile as a street was a dying street," Boateng recalls."The concept, it was dying. I effectively moved there in the early 90s and breathed new life into it."Boateng was dubbed the "peacock of Savile Row" - with his flamboyance, 6ft-something frame and modelesque facial features, he stood out among his and flair had long been part of Boateng's psyche. At five years old his favourite outfit was a purple, mohair suit made by his mother, who was a Boateng commandeered his mother's sewing machine and although he initially chose to study computing at college, he switched to fashion after realising menswear was his a teenager, Boateng was greatly inspired by tailoring titan Giorgio Armani - and decades later, Armani would praise the London designer for his "elegance" and "cutting edge" designs. Boateng opened his first studio in his early 20s, dressing the likes of Mick Jagger, Jimmy Paige and Spike then opened his Savile Row store - at the age of 28 he was the youngest to ever do burgeoning designer captivated London's fashion scene initially, but in 1998 he went bankrupt when an economic downturn in east Asia scuppered a major order. Both his professional and personal life descended into disarray - in just 12 months an entire collection was stolen from his studio and his marriage broke the peacock strutted his way back. Boateng gradually rebuilt his business and in 2002 moved into bigger premises on Savile then, he has served as Givency's creative director for menswear, been awarded an OBE, designed staff uniforms for British Airways and branched out into racking up professional and charitable commitments, Boateng was raising two adults, Oscar and Emilia Boateng accompanied their father to the Met Gala, dressed in the suits that made their surname one of the most famous in contemporary British tailoring. They are not, however, keen to follow their father into fashion design."I'm trying to slowly but surely seduce them into the fashion business," Boateng jokes."It is ultimately their decision to decide what they want from their life. If they find something they're passionate about in a way I have, I am happy."And what is next for his own passion? Boateng might have a brain brimming with concepts, but he has a clear vision of where he wants his brand to go next."The future is expansion," he says, "raising capital to really, really push the brand globally"."I think it's the moment in time - and it's the right moment." You may also be interested in Kente - the Ghanaian cloth that's on the catwalkHow luxury African fashion has wowed Europe's catwalksGrandma with chunky sunglasses becomes unlikely fashion iconTurning the iconic Ghana Must Go bag into high fashion Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Ozwald Boateng OBE steals the spotlight at Met Gala 2025, celebrating 40 years of dazzling design
The red carpet just got a seismic glow-up! British-Ghanaian fashion legend Ozwald Boateng OBE storms the 2025 Met Gala, marking his 40th year as a global style icon with a breathtaking showcase of bespoke looks for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. With his signature blend of African authenticity, Savile Row craftsmanship, and fearless innovation, Boateng dresses a roster of cultural titans who light up the night with pure, unfiltered magic. Picture this: Jaden Smith owning the carpet in a futuristic suit that screams tomorrow, with oversized shoulders and flowing wide-leg trousers that channel ancestral wisdom. Tems redefines elegance in a jaw-dropping ball gown suit, its tribal jacquard skirt billowing like a royal tapestry. And Ncuti Gatwa, serving Harlem Renaissance realness in a gold silk jacquard jacket that swings with soulful rhythm. This is Boateng's world, and we're all just living in it. Road to the Met: A Love Letter to Legacy Boateng's Road to the Met is no mere moment- it's a movement. For 40 years, this visionary has woven African heritage into the crisp lines of Savile Row, shattering conventions and redefining what tailoring can mean. As the first eponymous black designer on the iconic street and the first British menswear designer to strut at Paris Fashion Week in 1994, Boateng's journey is a masterclass in staying true to your roots while rewriting the rules. 'This is my heart on the red carpet,' Boateng says, his eyes sparkling with purpose. 'Every stitch carries a story of heritage, rebellion, and joy. This Gala isn't just about fashion; it's about who we are and who we'll become.' Dive into Boateng's world. From his game-changing 2019 AI: Authentic Identity show at Harlem's Apollo Theatre to his boundary-pushing designs for The Matrix and Black Panther, Boateng has always been ahead of the curve. Tonight, he channels the lion-hearted spirit of the Harlem Renaissance, the precision of bespoke craftsmanship, and the soul of African artistry into looks that don't just turn heads - they start revolutions. The Lineup: Icons in Ozwald's Finest Boateng's Met Gala looks are a love affair between past and future, each outfit a story spun in silk, wool, and Kente. Here's the dazzling lineup: Ozwald Boateng: The maestro himself, resplendent in a tribal jacquard suit that radiates regal confidence. Hanna Hultberg (Boateng): A goddess in a tailored gown, its vibrant hues dancing under the Gala lights. Oscar&Emilia Boateng: The next gen, slaying in custom looks that echo their father's bold legacy. Hope Smith: Looking stunning in a striking royal gold-yellow silk jacquard suit, elevated by the house's iconic Kente cloth. Omar Sy: Quietly commanding in a deep green wool mohair double-breasted suit featuring the House's Authenticity Adinkra symbol. Burna Boy: Burna Boy commands in a royal red wool tuxedo paired with a dramatic oxblood eel skin cape. Issa Rae: Issa Rae wears a long, black tailored 3 piece suit featuring the House's Tribal pattern in a silk jacquard. Jaden Smith: A warrior in a sharply contoured suit, oversized shoulders meeting ancient craft. Ayra Starr: A tuxedo dress from the 2022 Black AI collection, with slits and blue lining that scream fierce elegance. Tems: A revolutionary ball gown suit in blue-to-teal jacquard, its puff skirt a bold ode to feminine majesty. Ncuti Gatwa: Wearing the House's signature colour, purple, rendered in a richly textured silk jacquard Kente cloth. Henry Golding: A wears a rich gold silk jacquard three-piece suit, woven with the House's Adinkra symbol for Knowledge. Colin Kaepernick: Colin in a royal red silk suit with a fiery orange overcoat. The Exhibition: A Celebration of Black Style The Costume Institute's Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, curated by Monica L. Miller, is a seminal tribute to Black dandyism's indelible mark on fashion. From 18th-century trailblazers to today's visionaries, the exhibit showcases Boateng's pivotal role with pieces from his 2019 Apollo Theatre show and iconic Savile Row designs in vibrant Vlisco fabrics. Opened by Coleman Domingo, his pink silk jacquard morning suit, his matt black beret, their nod to the struggle still endured and the power of a culture always rising... Step into the exhibit ( Creative Collaborators: Adding Sparkle and Vision Boateng's Met Gala triumph is amplified by electrifying partnerships: Hirsh London Luxury Jewels: 'Working with Ozwald has been a true creative adventure,' says Sophia Hirsh. 'We instinctively understood each other's passion for colour and design. These jewels are full of life and character- capturing both of our spirits in a strikingly original way.' The result? Statement jewelry that pops with Boateng's vibrant aesthetic, adding fire to every look. Discover Hirsh London ( Odette Lunettes: Eline De Munck, founder of Odette Lunettes, beams about their first full collection with Boateng: 'London Savile Row style meets Antwerp design.' Boateng grins, adding, 'Tailoring, but for your face.' After featuring Odette eyewear in his New York and London shows, this collaboration births frames that fuse bold elegance with cutting-edge cool, perfectly framing the Gala's stars. Explore Odette Lunettes ( Afreximbank: Highlighting the Bank's Commitment to Africa's creative economy, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank said, 'The doubling of the Bank's credit commitment to the Global African Creative industry to $2 Billion marks a very important step towards empowering African creatives and building a globally competitive creative industry, with strong participation of Africans.' He pointed to the Bank's support to renowned designer , Ozwald Boateng's 40th design anniversary at the Met Gala as a powerful example of how Afreximbank's Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) is helping global African talents to gain international recognition and inspire a new generation of designers across the Afreximbank ( Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank. For media inquiries, please contact: Press Office, Ozwald Boateng pr@ Social Media: Instagram: @ ozwaldboateng @ OzwaldBoateng Website: About Ozwald Boateng OBE: Ozwald Boateng OBE is a British-Ghanaian fashion revolutionary who's been shaking up menswear for 40 years. Born in London, he launched his first studio in 1991 and made history as the first tailor to show at Paris Fashion Week in 1994. His African-inspired, razor-sharp designs breathed new life into Savile Row, where his flagship - co-designed with David Adjaye - stands as the only Black-owned store. As Creative Director of Menswear at Givenchy (2003-2007), he redefined French elegance. In 2023, he unveiled British Airways' new uniforms, a four-year labor of love. From Hollywood to philanthropy, Boateng's independent spirit and vibrant vision redefine Black excellence. Visit
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Issa Rae Is Absolutely Flawless in Ozwald Boateng at the 2025 Met Gala
Issa Rae is at the 2025 Met Gala looking absolutely unreal. The actor arrived on the red carpet for "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" and interpreted the "Tailored for You" dress code with a gorgeous tailored, three-piece suit by British-Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng. If you think Issa's just wearing a plain black suit, think again. (Not that there would be anything wrong if she was!) Upon closer inspection, the black fabric appears patterned, giving it a hypnotic, textured effect. Speaking to Fits from the Streets before hitting the carpet, the actor described her look as 'dandy, West African style.' When asked what she thought of the Superfine theme, Issa responded, 'It's iconic, it's going to be so black.' Before arriving at the Met Gala, Issa shared a 'Get Ready With Me' video on her Instagram, showing off her skin prep with Merit. In the video, Issa teased that she might be wearing two looks this night, so consider us sitting on the edge of our seats. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Issa Rae (@issarae) "I prefer stress-free outfits," Issa recently told Marie Claire. "When I'm in creative mode, I don't like to think too much about what I'm wearing, so I'm very much into jeans and T-shirts. I have a slew of these form-fitting, long-sleeve shirts that I can wear with any jeans, so I don't have to think about it while I'm out for the day. I've gotten better at knowing what works for me—what looks good on my body type and what makes me feel most confident. It all goes hand in hand. Feeling good makes me more inclined to take risks and, you know, play around with my style because that's part of the fun. Fashion is about how you present yourself to the world, so I ask myself that question every day. I want that to be reflected and to feel confident in who I am." You Might Also Like Here's What NOT to Wear to a Wedding Meet the Laziest, Easiest Acne Routine You'll Ever Try
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jaden Smith Wore an Unreleased New Balance 1906L Sneaker-Loafer to the Met Gala
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Jaden Smith rolled with the sneaker-loafer trend at the Met Gala, and he did so in a pair of New Balances that haven't been released to the public. The rapper and actor wore the New Balance 1906L Monday night in an unreleased croc patent leather makeup. It bears a strong resemblance to other 1906Ls that have released, including a Junya Watanabe collaboration that utilizes patent leather as well, but the crocodile-textured variant has yet to hit the market. More from Footwear News Black patent leather forms the entirety of the upper for Smith's 1906L, save for the black TPU heel counter. The sole unit is also rendered in black, keeping it in line with his black tuxedo, shirt and tie combo. Above his shoes, Smith's look was provided entirely by Ozwald Boateng — checkered cape, headpiece and all. NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 05: (L-R) Jaden Smith, Angela Bassett and Yara Shahidi attend the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/MG25/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue) Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue New Balance launched the 1906L late last summer after the hybrid model was first shown on the runway by Junya Watanabe in January. Polarization on the 1906R's loafer remix has carried through pre-release on through multiple drops for the 1906L, but that hasn't stopped the model from selling out in new colorways and materials. 'The loafer trend should continue as long as brands can stay creative with model and material variations,' Tarek Hassan, founder and chief executive officer of Concepts, told Footwear News in March. 'I think we are approaching its peak in trend and growth but will continue to live on as a unique offering for consumers.' Smith has been a New Balance ambassador since 2019, and he's received two models of his own, the Vision Racer and 0.01, the latter of which he's previously worn at the Met Gala. Two other sneakers stood out at the 2025 Met Gala, as Spike Lee wore the Air Jordan 3 'Black Cat' and George Lucas chose a much more humble pair of Nike runners best described as 'dad sneakers.' Jaden Smith at The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images) Variety via Getty Images Best of Footwear News Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Star
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Met Gala 2025: Henry Golding shines in gold alongside other red carpet stars
Malaysian actor Henry Golding wears a gold suit by Ozwald Boateng at this year's Met Gala, which celebrates menswear. Photo: AP The Met Gala, dubbed "fashion's biggest night out", has always been about making a statement. This year's event however took a different turn. It placed menswear front and centre with a theme focusing on classic tailoring. As always, the dress code is inspired by the spring exhibition at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' is the first to focus exclusively on Black designers, and the first in more than 20 years to have a menswear theme. Read more: What is dandyism? This bold fashion movement has long redefined elegance It looks at the evolution of Black style in the US over the centuries through the lens of dandyism (in the context of men dressing up as a form of self-expression, identity and rebellion). The evening showed how men can step into the spotlight with daring, imaginative fashion choices that challenged norms and embraced artistry. From sculptural silhouettes to opulent fabrics, they redefined red carpet style, proving that modern masculinity can be both expressive and iconic.
