African prints like kente and ankara have really blown up in western fashion over the last 5 years. This has a lot to do with the African diaspora in countries like Great Britain and the USA.
It’s about time we got some credit and love. Don’t you think?
African prints are bright, colourful and vibrant, perfect for the summer. The material is mostly hand designed and hand dyed, using tie-dye, wax and other techniques.
The material can be cut into all sorts of pieces; clothing, jewellery and shoes, everything, very versatile.
African culture has been used as inspiration before. Safari inspired fashion has graced the catwalks many times. Also South American prints like Aztec prints have been all the rage in past seasons.
African prints have a rich history and have a soul and a heart behind the fabric. The mix of African material with modern garments is simply beautiful.
The likes of Christopher Kane and Burberry Prorsum have used African prints in their collections!! Smaller boutique labels like Boxing Kitten have found real notoriety by specifying in African prints.
Celebs like Salonge,
and Beyonce Knowles,
Kelis,
Angela Simmons,
Fergie
and Nicola Roberts
have been seen out and about and getting in touch with their African roots!
Specifically with Salonge at the 2013 Met Gala,
and Beyonce during her romantic holiday in Cuba with hubby Jay Z.
It’s summer, nothing more summery than African prints, popping in the sun.
Words: Ruth Fajemirokun
