Last month, Malik Afegbua staged his first runway show—a Fashion Show for Elders. Cast with classic men and elegant old-fashioned women, the showcase broke every ordinance in the fashion rulebook. Afegbua’s senior models strutted the catwalk in the tones of nature. 

Some wore stylishly folded gele headdress, and others donned overlapping garments layered to perfection. With the dignified air of senior statesmen, the models brought a range of contemporary flair and vintage nobility that is distinctly Nigerian. 

Afegbua’s groundbreaking runway extravaganza met widespread acclaim. For his models, revered for their regal presentation, it was virtually impossible to convince them that their experience wasn’t real. But it wasn’t—and neither were they. The world is not real. The characters are not real. It’s all aspirational,”  Afegbua told ESSENCE.

The models, the fashions—the entire Fashion Show for Elders were figments of the artist’s imagination—or, more accurately, a manifestation of his creativity brought to life through artificial intelligence. 

Exploring the bounds of digital art is one of Afegbua’s many creative passions, but his day job as a filmmaker commands much of his focus. Under his production company, Slickcity Media, the Nigerian-born director produces commercials, films, and documentaries. 

Currently,…