GLOBAL – The fourth edition of Vogue World, a lavish spectacle of fashion and celebrity, unfolded on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the historic Paramount Pictures Studios lot in Los Angeles. Dubbed 'Vogue World: Hollywood', the event, masterminded by Condé Nast's Global Chief Content Officer Anna Wintour, aimed to celebrate the symbiotic relationship between fashion and cinema. While the night delivered on its promise of high drama and star power, for many observers in Kenya and across the continent, it also highlighted a persistent question: Where is Africa on fashion's biggest stage?

The event is the latest in a series that began in New York in 2022, followed by London in 2023 and Paris in June 2024. Each iteration has grown in scale, blending runway shows with theatrical performances. The Hollywood edition featured tributes to iconic films, with fashion houses like Balmain and Louis Vuitton presenting cinematic-inspired looks and celebrated costume designers such as Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther) and Colleen Atwood (Edward Scissorhands) being honored. Performers reportedly included Doja Cat and The Beach Boys, with 100% of ticket proceeds benefiting the Entertainment Community Fund to support costume professionals impacted by recent Los Angeles wildfires.

A Disappointing Absence

Despite the event's global billing, preliminary reports and guest lists show a stark lack of representation from Kenya and the broader African continent. While Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o, a multi-time Vogue cover star, has been a significant presence in global fashion, her attendance at this specific event remains unconfirmed. Nyong'o has previously used her platform to champion African stories and designers, making any potential absence deeply felt.

This perceived oversight is not new. While individual African designers and models have achieved international success, their collective presence at marquee industry events like Vogue World remains minimal. Analysts point to systemic barriers, from logistical challenges for emerging designers to a persistent lack of diversity in the highest echelons of fashion editorial and decision-making. The conversation in Kenyan fashion circles often revolves around moving from inspiration and social media trends, like the #VogueChallenge that was popular in Kenya, to tangible inclusion and economic partnership.

The Spectacle and the Business

Vogue World is more than a party; it is a strategic pillar of the Vogue brand, designed to generate massive online engagement and reinforce its cultural authority. The first event in New York was conceived as a way to bring the fashion community together post-pandemic. Subsequent editions have become powerful philanthropic vehicles. The 2023 London show raised a reported £2 million for the city's performing arts organizations. The Hollywood event raised a total of $4.5 million for its chosen charity.

Spearheaded by Anna Wintour, who has been at the helm of American Vogue since 1988, these events are a testament to her enduring influence in media and fashion. Wintour's vision has transformed not only the magazine but also events like the Met Gala into global phenomena. However, this power also brings responsibility. Critics argue that with such influence comes the duty to ensure a more equitable and globally representative platform.

The Path Forward for Kenyan Fashion

For Kenya's vibrant and growing fashion industry, events like Vogue World serve as a double-edged sword. They represent the pinnacle of global recognition, yet their exclusivity can feel like a locked door. Local designers in Nairobi and other fashion hubs continue to innovate, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics, but breaking into the international mainstream requires significant capital and connections.

The Afrofuturism section of the show, which featured Angela Bassett reprising her role as Queen Ramonda from 'Black Panther', was a notable moment. It highlighted the global impact of African-inspired design, yet it also underscored the fact that such representation is often filtered through a Hollywood lens rather than sourced directly from the continent's creators. As the global fashion conversation evolves, the hope remains that future Vogue World events will look beyond established capitals like New York, London, and Paris, and recognize the immense talent and market potential waiting in Nairobi, Lagos, and Johannesburg. Until then, the question of meaningful inclusion will continue to echo long after the Hollywood lights have dimmed.