Black Carpet Awards: Naomi Campbell is a Bridesmaid
The third edition of the Black Carpet Awards will take place at the Teatro Manzoni in Milan, Italy, on September 24, 2025, where twenty-two finalists will compete for distinctions in categories such as Culture and Entrepreneurship.
Top model Naomi Campbell was officially announced as the event's godmother during the city's Fashion Week. The Afro Fashion Association, the award's organizer, highlighted the model's commitment to equality in the creative industry, justifying her selection.
Naomi Campbell's choice symbolizes the convergence of historical legacy and inclusive innovation. The British model was one of the first Black women to achieve global prominence on international catwalks and the first to appear on the covers of Vogue Paris (1988), British Vogue (1987), and Time magazine (1991).
Her activism extends to humanitarian causes and supporting emerging African talent. The godmother described the Black Carpet Awards as a "cultural and social affirmation" for underrepresented communities.
The non-governmental organization Afro Fashion Association, founded by Michelle Ngonmo in 2015, operates between Italy and Sub-Saharan Africa, promoting cultural exchanges through fashion and visual arts. The event recognizes individuals who challenge stereotypes in the global creative industries. This year's 2025 edition includes a posthumous tribute to curator Koyo Kouoh.
The municipality of Milan confirmed its institutional support through Councilwoman Alessia Cappello. The representative emphasized the role of fashion as "cultural change accelerator" in multicultural societies. The initiative aims to create spaces where diversity translates into tangible economic value, and the ceremony will include discussion panels and exhibitions on contemporary African identity.
Historical Fabric
Naomi Campbell's rise reflects five decades of struggles for representation in fashion. The model faced racial barriers in the 90s, when agencies favored Caucasian faces. Her pioneering career paved the way for generations of Black models around the world. Her invitation to be the godmother of the Black Carpet Awards crowns this journey of creative resistance.
Founder Michelle Ngonmo created the association after several experiences of "invisibility" in the sector. The director recalls the systematic exclusion of Black designers from European fashion weeks. The event arose as a response to the need for autonomous platforms for diaspora talent, and the phrase "the black is the sum of all colors” became the organization’s motto.
The awards have recognized figures such as Edward Enninful (2023) in previous editions. These figures challenged the established hierarchies of elitist publications and fashion houses. The "Legacy" category recognizes lasting contributions to African visual culture.
This year's Black Carpet Awards will also honor Koyo Kouoh, the curator of the upcoming Venice Art Biennale (2025), who passed away prematurely at the age of 57. Koyo Kouoh revolutionized the African art scene with the Raw Material Company in Dakar by promoting African artists overlooked by traditional circuits, and for this reason the association will support artistic residencies in Senegal.
This posthumous tribute is a way to celebrate creators who dismantle colonial narratives in contemporary art and video “The New Wave” will present ten emerging voices from this aesthetic revolution.
The award winners come from three continents, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. Nine of the twenty-two finalists are developing projects in countries such as Senegal and Kenya. This distribution reinforces the commitment to decentralizing global creative power. The Black Carpet Awards jury includes experts from Burkina Faso, Brazil, and Italy.
The Mechanics of the Prize
The selection process involves two distinct phases with transparent criteria. In the first stage, cultural institutions nominate candidates in five thematic categories. A preliminary committee narrows the nominations to twenty-two finalists based on their measurable impact. The decision-making phase combines public voting and expert technical evaluation.
The recognition is structured in five categories: Leadership in Culture, Creativity, Community, Entrepreneurship, and Legacy. Each category recognizes specific contributions to sectoral equity. The Community category recognizes local initiatives that generate economic opportunities in peripheral neighborhoods, and the Entrepreneurship category recognizes inclusive business models.
The 2025 prize is unique and is for talents under the age of thirty-five. The winner will receive twenty thousand euros and mentorship from the Fondazione Prada. The ceremony will also include the announcement of the ten main winners on stage.
The jury comprises fifty-three experts of twelve different nationalities. The panel includes figures such as photographer Tyler Mitchell and fashion designer Stella Jean. The criteria evaluate originality, sustainability, and proven social impact. The panel's age and geographic diversity ensures greater plurality in decision-making.
Structural Impact
The partnership with the Milan Chamber of Commerce creates concrete opportunities. Previous winners have accessed incubation programs in the city's fashion tech district. The 2024 edition resulted in fifteen contracts for African designers with European retailers. This model transforms symbolic recognition into real economic progress.
The Afro Fashion Association will launch a post-event digital platform. The virtual space will connect winners with investors interested in ethical fashion. The platform will include an online marketplace for products from award-winning brands. Ten percent of sales will fund scholarships for design students in Accra and Nairobi.
In the long term, the event is pressuring traditional institutions to rethink their practices. After the 2023 edition, Milan Fashion Week implemented quotas for African brands, and major groups like LVMH announced the creation of funds for diaspora designers in 2024. This systemic change reflects the mobilizing power of the Black Carpet Awards.
Conclusion
The Black Carpet Awards thus cement their position as a beacon of transformation in the global creative industry. Naomi Campbell's choice as godmother crowns her journey of social resistance against racial exclusion. The event itself transcends celebration to become a mechanism for rebalancing opportunities.
The 2025 Black Carpet Awards will mark a turning point in the appreciation of African narratives, and Koyo Kouoh's legacy will guide future generations in the reconstruction of colonial imaginaries. In this way, the September ceremony will write a new chapter in the history of global cultural diversity.
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Picture: © 2022 Ph. Steven Meisel / Courtesy Press Office
