Two of Nigeria’s brightest exports, Ayra Starr and Tems, have once again placed the nation at the heart of global pop culture—this time not on a music stage, but on the world’s most prestigious fashion list.
Both superstars have been officially named among The Business of Fashion’s (BOF) 500 Class of 2025, an annual index celebrating individuals shaping the global fashion and beauty landscape.
What began as a music movement has evolved into a cultural revolution—and Ayra Starr and Tems are its new fashion frontliners. With their inclusion on the BOF 500, they join the ranks of fashion visionaries, designers, models, and tastemakers who are redefining style across continents.
For years, Nigerian musicians have been at the forefront of cultural exports through Afrobeats. But with this recognition, fashion finally catches up—cementing their dual influence as music innovators and global style icons.
“The BOF 500 is not just a list,” notes the publication. “It’s a recognition of those transforming aesthetics, commerce, and culture on a global scale.” And in 2025, no two African women embody that transformation more than Ayra Starr and Tems.
At just 22, Ayra Starr has built an empire that fuses sound, self-expression, and fashion. From her breakout hit “Rush,” which has surpassed 500 million streams, to her distinctive Y2K-inspired fashion choices, the Mavin Records star has become the poster girl for Afrobeats chic.
Her unapologetic aesthetic—equal parts fierce and feminine—has attracted major brand partnerships with Maybelline, Pepsi, New Balance, and L’Avyanna Skin. And when she graced the 2025 Met Gala in a custom Ozwald Boateng creation, her presence on fashion’s biggest night was more than an appearance—it was a declaration that African creativity has arrived at the global front row.
If Ayra Starr brings the energy, Tems brings the elegance. The Grammy-winning singer, known for her soulful voice and minimalist mystique, has steadily carved a niche as a fashion force. From her sultry Dior looks to her bold statement gowns, Tems has mastered the balance between subtlety and spectacle.
Her inclusion in the BOF 500 reflects not just her style choices but her quiet power to influence. Over the past year, she has appeared in campaigns for Tommy Jeans, attended global fashion weeks, and stunned at the 2025 Met Gala in another Ozwald Boateng masterpiece—a blend of African craftsmanship and modern couture.
Tems’ look that night, critics noted, “wasn’t just fashion—it was storytelling.” Her minimalist silhouette, paired with traditional fabric detailing, symbolised a confident reclamation of African elegance on a world stage.
For Nigeria—and Africa at large—this recognition represents more than fashion validation. It signals a global acknowledgement of a creative economy in full bloom. Artists like Ayra Starr and Tems are not just participating in global conversations; they are leading them.
Their ascent into fashion’s inner circle affirms the continent’s growing cultural capital, where music, fashion, and identity converge to tell stories that resonate beyond borders. From Lagos to London, from the studio to the runway, these women are proving that African artistry is not a trend—it’s a movement.
As the BOF 500 continues to honour innovators shaping the industry, Ayra Starr and Tems stand out as powerful symbols of what modern influence looks like—authentic, unapologetic, and deeply rooted in culture.
Whether they’re rocking the stage or gracing fashion’s red carpets, both women have redefined what it means to be global icons from Nigeria. Their artistry transcends sound and fabric alike—making them, indeed, the new face of global style.
