• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
May 9, 2019

The Best Street Style From the Contemporary African Art Fair

By Paola de Varona Photographs by Melodie Jeng

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin It
Sefa Gohoho at the Contemporary African Arts Fair. Photo: Melodie Jeng

New York City’s Contemporary African Arts Fair is five years old, but this past weekend marked its debut in Manhattan. Galleries around the West Village reverberated with a mix of French and English as artists and art-lovers from the five boroughs to Morocco examined the works. There were metal portraits, African textiles, a blown-up portrait of Cardi B. And of course, there was a huge range of personal style. Below, the Cut talks to some of the best-dressed attendees about the one creative skill they wish they had.

View
1 / 20 Photos
Deborah Bernard: "I'd like to be a painter. I want to leave something that lives forever." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Mouna Traore: "To translate pure emotion using whatever medium I choose." Hannah Traore: "To make what's is in my head with any materia... Mouna Traore: "To translate pure emotion using whatever medium I choose." Hannah Traore: "To make what's is in my head with any material." Photo: Melodie Jeng/Melodie Jeng
Giani Lee: "Patience. I think if I take more time I might make better work." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Emilie Demon: "I would have loved to film direct." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Christian Sulger-Buel: "Being able to paint. I’m a dealer in African art. I know how to choose, I appreciate it, but I'm not able to do it."... Christian Sulger-Buel: "Being able to paint. I’m a dealer in African art. I know how to choose, I appreciate it, but I'm not able to do it." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Melody Downes: "I would love to sew because then I can create some fashions for myself and my daughter." Camille Downes: “I can’t pick becau... Melody Downes: "I would love to sew because then I can create some fashions for myself and my daughter." Camille Downes: “I can’t pick because I can do all those things already.” Photo: Melodie Jeng
Mieyoshi Moore: "To know how to sculpt in marble." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Chris Richards: "To know how to weave, because I study West African textiles." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Charlotte Ashamu: "I would like to knit because I like the intricacy of the patterns you can develop." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Amy Langseth: "African tribal art — that’s got my eyes and my heart." Henri Univers: "I'd like to be a pianist. I love the sound ... it... Amy Langseth: "African tribal art — that’s got my eyes and my heart." Henri Univers: "I'd like to be a pianist. I love the sound ... it’s like a bird." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Annalisa Acreskybn: "To be an illustrator because there’s not enough women like me in imagery illustration." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Terri Thrash: "Photography. The camera releases images the average eye may not see." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Michelene Auguste: "Painting." Jordan Sullivan: "I would definitely be a singer." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Rebecca Moses: "I’d like to sculpt my women, or maybe that’s my next goal in life." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Yukari Niikura: "Dancing because I’m so bad." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Vicki Monteiro: "I would like to paint with flowers." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Jamel Robinson: "Sculpting because I haven’t perfected it yet." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Camelia Chorsi: "I guess the real artistic skill is always creating a connection." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Aaron Ramey: "Working with steel." Photo: Melodie Jeng
Lamia Zemmouri: "Sculpting." Photo: Melodie Jeng
1 / 20

Tags:

  • image gallery
  • gallery
  • style
  • fashion
  • art
  • contemporary african art
  • the art of getting dressed
  • More

More Galleries

campaign trail Apr. 12, 2021
7 Women on Where They’re Finding Hope These Days  A new fashion campaign that focuses on the positive. 
fashion Mar. 15, 2021
Dramatic Wedding Gowns Inspired by Flowers  Danielle Frankel bridges the gap between bridal and fashion. 
campaign trail Jan. 28, 2021
 The Best Fashion Campaigns From Spring 2021  This season’s best from Prada, Versace, Miu Miu, and more. 
By Florence O'Connor
in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.