Fashion Correspondent Jen Su bridges SA and USA

Manhattan Avenue Magazine caught up with TV host and style expert Jen Su – to give her take on Met Gala fashion and her continuing mission to bring African stories to the global stage. Su spent nearly 10 years in South Africa, where she was a well-known TV and radio anchor for Sky News’ “The African Business Report”, SABC3 “Expresso” and “Top Billing”, as well as the Hollywood Reporter on Gareth Cliff Mornings on 5FM. My many years in Johannesburg and Cape Town were some of the highlights of my life,” says Su, who is currently an international correspondent for the Sunday Times and a contributor to Forbes Africa and News24 South Africa. “I was fortunate to meet so many prominent personalities through the various events that I covered in my work and I’m grateful that here in New York, I can continue to tell South African stories and showcase their achievements on a global stage.” Over the years, she has covered hundreds of stories on prominent South Africans, from Tyla to Trevor Noah, as well as lesser known yet equally important figures from the African continent making big strides in New York and beyond.

“Tyla’s first huge Met Gala moment when she appeared on the red carpet in that structural ‘sand dress’ gown designed by Olivier Rousteing of Balmain cemented her status as a fashion icon and as a singer,” explained Su. “I have been covering Tyla’s journey from her very early days, and it’s amazing to see her rapid rise to worldwide domination. She and her family are extremely close-knit, which is what grounds her and supports her through thick and thin.

Su, who lives in New York and Philadelphia, has covered every major red-carpet event, from the Oscars to the Grammys to the Cannes Film Festival, as well as New York, London, Paris and Shanghai Fashion Week and the Met Gala.

“What I’m seeing is not just the rise of African influence on a global scale, but that Africa is truly dominating. Last year’s Met Gala theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” and it was a celebration of black excellence. I interviewed Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, who was dressed in David Tlale at last year’s Met Gala, and they presented a gorgeous fashion showcase and talk on ‘Afro Dandyism in New York’ from African Fashion International (AFI).

“This year’s theme is “Costume Art”, exploring the profound, intimate relationship between fashion and the human body, with the Metropolitan Museum of Art Condé M. Nast Galleries exhibition pairing 200 garments with 200 artworks, celebrating the fusion of art and fashion.”