AS the Metro FM Music Awards draw closer, Africa Fashion International (AFI) is set to elevate the 2026 ceremony with a curated programme blending fashion, music and cultural storytelling.
As the official fashion partner, AFI will headline the Black Carpet on 25 April at the Durban ICC, host a fashion showcase at Oceans Mall on 24 April, and present a masterclass during the awards conference.
Through its House of NALA platform, AFI will dress high-profile personalities and introduce a Best Styled Award, reinforcing fashion as a key element of identity and expression.
"The AFI Metro FM Music Awards Black Carpet will serve as the home of all black carpet interviews with artists, celebrities, and cultural leaders. Designed as a premium broadcast environment, the Black Carpet reflects AFI's commitment to visual excellence, fashion authority and world-class production, positioning style as an integral part of cultural storytelling," they said.
They said their in-house brand, House of NALA, will dress the Black Carpet hosts, Lamiez Holworthy (Metro FM DJ) and Luyanda Zuma (Shaka Ilembe actress and Miss South Africa 2025 runner-up).
"Miss South Africa 2025 Qhawe Mazaleni will also be dressed in a custom garment by the NALA Privé Atelier, reinforcing couture craftsmanship and contemporary African elegance. AFI will also present the Best Styled Award, recognising fashion as a powerful expression of identity, creativity, and cultural influence," they said.
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They said on Friday, 24 April 2026, AFI will stage a fashion showcase at Oceans Mall, next to the House of Nala pop-up store.
"The showcase will present Nala Privé Autumn/Winter 2026 looks, which will be available for purchase at the House of Nala pop-up store throughout the Metro FM Music Awards weekend. The fashion showcase will feature a curated selection of Durban and South
African designer brands alongside a selection of brands from across the Africancontinent, reinforcing AFI's role as a platform for African luxury and designexcellence," they said.
Founder and CEO of African Fashion International and the Motsepe Foundation, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe as African Fashion International, their role is to activate these moments at the highest level of excellence.
"Fashion is a powerful cultural language, and through the Black Carpet, the masterclass, and our curated experiences in urban, we are showing how African style, music, and culture, not only intersect with confidence and global relevance, but is also about enterprise. This is about precision, storytelling," she said.
