Every year, an event is held where some of the world’s most innovative fashion designers get to dress celebrities in outfits that showcase unique designs and pioneer new creative ideas. This is not the Met Gala; this is the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA). This event is an annual awards ceremony hosted by media company Mutichoice in Lagos, Nigeria. The award ceremony celebrates outstanding achievements in African television and media, and has been dubbed “the African Met Gala.”In recent years, the official Met Gala has fallen flat when it comes to fashion,leaving people to wonder what the point of the event truly is. This year, the AMVCA had some of the most clever and original styles, and did what the Met Gala has been incapable of doing.
One of the best outfits of the night was Stan Nze, a Nigerian actor, producer, and model. He wore a striking black-structured piece inspired by traditional Igbo attire,with small silver detailing down the midline to match his hat. He also held an Akupe Igbo hand fan, paying more homage to his culture. Another amazing outfit was worn by Deyemi Okanlawon, a Nigerian actor best known for his roles in the Netflix original series King of Boys, and Blood Sister. He wore a floor length black coat with red beaded embroidery going down its front,paired with red gloves and shoes.
These two looks alone were widely considered to be more impressive and original than the vast majority of men’s outfits at the Met Gala. Prime examples of the Met Gala’s shortcomings are Jaafar Jackson and Paul Anothony, who both showed up to the event in a basic black suit and tie. At an event that’s main purpose is to showcase unique fashion, many men come with unremarkable looks that have been seen numerous times before.
Another highlight of the AMVCA was Nana Akua. The Ghanaian actress wore an elaborate dress made to look like a cathedral,with its towers climbing up the skirt into one large tower that made up the bodice of the dress. The outfit was created by Lagos-based designer Mohammed Abbas Ossu. This look stood out especially because of its creativity and dramatic shape.
The problem that happens year after year at the Met gala is that celebrities don’t try, and even when they do try, the outfits don’t deliver. This year at the Met Gala, actress Sarah Paulson wore a dollar bill over her eyes as a statement against “the 1%.” But Paulson’s net worth is over $12 million, and the Met Gala is inherently an event for the high class, making her statement appear tone deaf and fall flat.
The event that is supposed to feature creative and innovative fashion ends up pointless when celebrities treat it like just another award show. The Africa magic viewers choice awards outshined the Met Gala in every way possible by doing what the American event fails to do year after year. Make interesting fashion which is the whole point of the event. Will the Met Gala be able to catch up, or will they continue to miss the mark?
