MEMPHIS, TN.- Memphis Brooks Museum of Art will host the exhibition Power Dressing: Fashion and Prestige in Africa from March 10 through May 20, 2007. The show features 49 spectacular examples of African men's dress spanning from Morocco to South Africa and representing over a century of fashion.

The New York Times calls Power Dressing, "Perfectly gorgeous...bewitching...an unforgettable experience." It consists of traditional and modern men's attire that is beautifully crafted of exquisite materials such as gold, feathers, satin, and quills, and features intricate beadwork and embroidery. The works explore the artistry of men's dress as it relates to and embodies social, political, and spiritual power on an ever-changing continent.

Chief curator Marina Pacini says, "Clothing has long been, and continues to be, a traditional marker of power and status, from the stylized wigs and sumptuous clothes of Louis XIV to the baggy pants and jewelry worn by hip-hop artists. The garments in Power Dressing are no exception; in materials, design, and execution, they are visually stunning. They also attest to the rich traditional culture of Africa and to the ways in which those traditions are being adapted by contemporary artists and artisans."

In conjunction with the exhibition, the museum will present family programming, award-winning film, live music, dance performances, and fashion shows.

Power Dressing: Fashion and Prestige in Africa is organized by the Newark Museum and made possible by The Coby Foundation, Ltd., the Prudential Foundation, The LINKS of Essex County, and the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. The exhibition is sponsored locally by AutoZone with additional support from Baptist Memorial Healthcare Foundation, International Paper, and Macy's Fund of the Federated Department Stores Foundation.