Redefining Fashion: Nigerian Artist Malik Afegbua Celebrates Senior Black African Models
Rarely do fashion shows feature older models. More rare is one with senior Black African models. That may explain why Nigerian visual artist Malik Afegbua garnered global notice last month for his social media posts of elders on a fashion catwalk in colourful outfits.
Challenging Assumptions and Celebrating African Features
“The Elders Series,” as Afegbua titled his photographs, aims to challenge assumptions about elderly people and highlight African features and bodies that have been marginalized in the fashion industry. The vibrant outfits and confident poses of the models showcase their beauty and individuality.
“My mum inspired (this series),” said 38-year-old Afegbua. “My mother had a stroke, and we are close. I needed a means to express myself without thinking about her on life support. I wanted to remember her happily.”
Artificial Intelligence Creates a Groundbreaking Fashion Show
What makes these photographs even more remarkable is that the groundbreaking fashion show never actually happened. The images may look real, but they were created using artificial intelligence (AI). Afegbua’s artistic vision and the power of technology have come together to create a visually stunning representation of diversity and inclusivity in fashion.
By showcasing senior Black African models in his “Elders Series,” Malik Afegbua is challenging the norms of the fashion industry and celebrating the beauty and wisdom of older individuals. His work serves as a reminder that fashion should be inclusive and representative of all ages and ethnicities.
