Akin Faminu Enters Met Gala Mode in Three Looks That Capture the Theme

The Met Gala 2026 theme this year was “Costume Art,” and while Met Gala celebrated the meeting point of clothing and fine art on the steps of New York’s Metropolitan Museum, Nigeria’s own Dr. Akin Faminu was already working within the theme. He presented three distinct looks, each exploring a different direction of the theme and continues to show that African fashion is not just cultural, it is art.

Photo: Instagram

His first outfit from Dimeji Ilori was a structured, bomber-style jacket featuring multi-coloured geometric panels. The left side displayed a bright pink and purple woven pattern, while the right side was a solid black with intricate lattice-work stitching. It was detailed with traditional cowrie shell embellishments and a gold-tone structural element on the chest. He paired it with tailored black high-waisted trousers with tan fringe running down the outer side seams, with small white cowrie shells visible near the hem. He styled his look with a traditional black Fila hat from Teed Marque designed with silver-tone hardware and rows of cowries. His accessories included a wide, rigid gold-tone choker necklace and rings. He completed his look with black leather Chelsea boots.

Photo: Instagram

For his second look, Akin Faminu chose a Y’Wande-designed Aso-Oke robe, traditional hand-woven Yoruba textile featuring red and off-white vertical stripes. The robe had cream-coloured fringe tassels and textured brown geometric appliqués along the sleeves. Beneath the open robe, he paired it with a matching deep red monochromatic layer that created a continuous silhouette. For accessories, he wore brown gradient aviator sunglasses and carried a Yoruba talking drum and completed with a necklace and bracelet. His footwear was black leather monk-strap shoes from Kiing Daviid.

Photo: Instagram

For his third look, Akin Faminu wore a custom all-black outfit by Nigerian designer Weizdhurm Franklyn, a structured, cropped black velvet jacket with sharp shoulder pads and gold hardware closures, paired with matching high-waisted, wide-leg velvet trousers. His look was styled with an oversized, flat-brimmed black hat with a long, textured trail and a corresponding handheld sculptural object. For accessories, he wore gold hardware, including chunky cuffs, rings, and a gold buckle. To complete his look, he wore black square-toe dress shoes.

If these three looks tell us anything, it is that Akin Faminu’s approach shows strong thematic alignment.