Nigerian music star, Temilade Openiyi, well known as Tems didn’t just walk the 2025 Met Gala red carpet—she owned it, draped in a tapestry of heritage, elegance, and pride.
The Grammy-winning Nigerian singer used fashion as her canvas, telling a story that transcended aesthetics. Dressed in a regal, sharply tailored ensemble by British-Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng, Tems embodied the gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” with unapologetic African flair.
Boateng’s design—a fusion of Savile Row precision and West African textile traditions—wrapped Tems in a visual celebration of Black identity and culture. The structured silhouette, rich textures, and culturally resonant patterns weren’t just fashion statements; they were declarations of origin and artistry.
More than a red-carpet moment, Tems’ appearance amplified the presence of African voices in global style conversations. With every camera flash and headline, she spotlighted not only herself but the continent’s enduring influence on creativity, craftsmanship, and culture.
Her collaboration with Boateng wasn’t just about fabric and fit—it was a symbolic handshake between heritage and haute couture. In stepping onto the Met Gala carpet, Tems didn’t just represent Nigeria or Africa; she represented a global renaissance of rootedness and reinvention.
