South African actress, producer, and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Nomzamo Mbatha made a big impression as she attended her very first Met Gala on May 5, 2025. The event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, followed the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, which honoured the history and creativity of Black fashion and self-expression.
Nomzamo didn’t attend just as a guest—she walked the red carpet as a correspondent for Africa Fashion International (AFI), representing South African fashion on one of the world’s biggest stages. And she made sure to do it in unforgettable style.
Nomzamo wore a bold deep red outfit that blended modern fashion with African heritage. Her look featured a beautifully tailored two-piece set designed by South African fashion label MmusoMaxwell. The outfit included a fitted long-sleeve blazer with a small keyhole cutout on the chest, paired with a matching floor-length skirt. Both pieces were decorated with unique circular beadwork that added a cultural touch to the outfit, making it stand out in both elegance and meaning.
She completed her look with a dramatic and sculptural hairstyle made of braided rings stacked on top of one another—a clear tribute to traditional African hairstyles. The combination of her outfit and hairstyle showed the richness of African identity, craftsmanship, and pride.
Sharing her feelings about the experience on Instagram, Nomzamo wrote: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. A taste of my first Met Gala. Cannot put into words the deep gratitude of this experience – to have been present and corresponding for @afi_sa during such a poignant theme is nothing short of diving alignment. Thank you for trusting me with AFI’s ‘first Monday in May.’”
She also gave credit to her designers, saying: “MmusoMaxwell have shown their incredible craftsmanship over the years when it comes to tailoring – with short notice they went above and beyond and we made it to the Met! We remain thankful.”
While her fashion moment was unforgettable, Nomzamo also took time on the red carpet to highlight other stars and creatives. She shared interviews and moments with big names like Alicia Keys, Tracee Ellis Ross, Halle Bailey, and South African star Tyla. One memorable encounter included a warm moment with Rihanna and a thoughtful discussion with filmmaker Ryan Coogler about his movie Sinners and the power of Black storytelling through fashion and film.
Though her role at the Met Gala was to report and connect, Nomzamo’s presence, voice, and outfit made her one of the highlights of the night—representing not just herself, but African excellence on the global stage.
