CASABLANCA, Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg.

These four compass points of fashion in the African continent will be the inspiration of the first major exhibition of its kind to open in the UK at the end of the month and includes items worn by Michelle Obama.

The styles that emerge from these Moroccan, Nigerian, Kenyan and South African cities will be explored at Brighton Museum and Art Gallery until 2017.

It features the choice of clothing designers, stylists, photographers and bloggers with everything from couture to street style.

A team of researchers visited the cities last summer to explore the fashion scenes.

Helen Mears, the museum's collection of world art, was one of the team.

She said: "There’s been a surge of interest in contemporary African art and design in Europe and the US in recent years, but this is the first major UK exhibition dedicated to contemporary African fashion. We want to reveal the diversity that exists across the continent - and within single cities - and show that wax print is only part of the story of African fashion.

"Each of the cities featured has its own fashion scene. Some African designers are now major players in international fashion, while others are experimenting creatively in the interface between global fashion and local identities.

"The exhibition aims to provide a snapshot of fashion practices in four specific cities and an introduction to some of the stories behind the style, whether it’s the widespread practice of tailoring or the impact of the huge market for second-hand European clothes."

The exhibition will fill three large galleries with clothing, photographs and films. New designs will also be on display alongside accessories as well as apparel worn by Michelle Obama and controversial outfits modelled by one of Kenya's famous current bands Sauti Sol.

Brighton stories of African fashion will be explored in another project on display until August 28.

Fashion Cities Africa is on display at Brighton Museum and Art Gallery from April 30 to January 8, 2017. Entry is included in the museum admission fee or £3.50 for residents. Members and children can visit for free.

There is a book and a host of other events linked to the exhibition. For information visit brightonmuseums.org.uk/fashioncitiesafrica.