For decades, the global Fashion Industry has referenced African fashion, but it has not always done so in the right way, African Fashion has been simplified to leopard skins and mud cloths.
Many times, it is a point of reference we discuss the source of African Fashion, and what African designers can do to capitalize on the current movement.
Africa is a large content, as a result, the variation of the African Fashion story that exists is influenced by a myriad of societies, and the status of individuals or groups within that community. Garments in Africacommunicated status or made a ritual or passage of time as people moved from one state to another.
According to some traditions, young women wore just skirts and when they got married, they would wear full body wraps and cloaks.
Soon Africans began using raffia to sein separate pieces of bank cloth together in time, grass skirts were the rage likewise, they used accessories to adorn the uncovered parts of the body.
This consisted of more intricate jewellery and headgear fashioned from seashells, bones, ostrich eggshell pieces and feathers. Colours and patterns, created in printed and dyed clothes, woven fabric strips, and beaded attire distinguished one ethnic group from another.
Tribe prided themselves on the quality of their handmade cloth. They used techniques handed down generation by generation to continue.
The wax prints that are ubiquitous and synonymic to African Fashion today, began to find their way to Africa’s colonization of Indonesia, the Dutch adopted this style of pattern-making from the Indonesians and mechanized the process.
They initially tried to sell it back to Indonesians but were unsuccessful. They traded it to Africans who converted it. Women began to ask for specific designs and particular designs became a form of secret communication among groups of people. And so the trade became very successful. It continues to boom till today.
Colonization enforced a massive change in daily wear in Nigeria. Even after independence, traditional garments were not encouraged in many corporate scenarios. Consequently, traditional robes were replaced or influenced by the Western dress code, which became popular.
However, they remained prevailed in rural areas. Today, people in urban cities are warming up to traditional garments outside of special occasions an example would be a woman who opts for Ankara dress for work wear for dress down Friday.
Clothing can be transformative. This historical moment was when nearly an entire continent skied its colonialist attire and stepped onto the world stage.
The Nigerian Fashion Industry plays an important cultural role and contributes clothing that incorporates a variety of colours, Fabrics and embellishments. Many of the component cultures of Nigeria wear styles that are characteristic of their tribal society and customs.
Nigeria produces Fashionable textiles and finished garments and has designsthat have achieved international recognition. One of such designer is Farouk Adekunle Adepoju, he is one of the most forward-thinking designers in Nigeria, providing the most accessible way to dress for the majority of people with his Brand Titan Luxe, and with precious little cultural heritage in termsof dress practices to draw attention of the fashion world to the dramatic revolution taking place in Nigeria.
His new 2022, collection the HOT-AFRO-CHIC collection is an exciting time for Nigeria’s Fashion Scene. HOT-AFRO-CHIC collection and lifestyle through fashion, the collection is about dressing the modern woman through colourful clothing.
The woman who wants to stand out in any formal occasion. HOT-AFRO-CHIC collection is stylish, cool, and proper yet unapologetic. HOT-AFRO-CHIC collection is a collection that represents the various ethnic groups and diverse lifestyles and cultures.
The collection includes casual, formal and elegant pieces made from vibrantly coloured African prints. This collection range aims to rediscover and revalue African Traditional cultures through contemporary styles and designs.
Think HOT AFRO-CHIC collection, where you embrace and flaunt your African roots in African Fabrics while adding a modern twist in the form of style, fabrics and futuristic statement accessories.
READ ALSO: Life & Style
Whatever look you decide on don’t be afraid to explore by mixing and matching clashing prints and fabrics. It is okay if you are not ready for bold prints style your muted hues with subtle printed detailing as displayed in the collection.
Whatever you decide on, make sure that you are comfortable enough to enjoy and be confident in your looks. For HOT-AFRO-CHIC collection is a true statement of classic and comfort.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.