Sunday, July 22, 2012

Unique Features of African Clothing Designs


These days, African clothing designs are in outstanding demand since they are tremendously exclusive. Although Africans had their individual way of putting on clothes for over than 75000 years, the earth has just lately respected the true attractiveness of African clothing. The magnificently crafted and designed clothing will represent your personality and at the same time stamp your individuality.  When you put on normal clothing like everybody else you won’t be highlighted; but while you will put on African clothing designs, then people will be attracted as well as take notice. Moreover, there is a precise amount of charisma to these African clothing designs.

These African dresses are indeed beautiful and unique since all African clothes designs are generated from the best fabrics from Africa. In fact, they are made by 100 percent cotton fabrics as well as they let your skin to take breaths. You are quite capable to put on African clothes throughout all weathers.  The important aspect of African clothes designs is its print as well as design. No one can refute its exclusivity and all African clothing designs will show the society and local traditions pertaining to that region. The prints of African clothes designs are extremely big and they imply the tradition of the precise people that makes these cloths. Every tribe takes lots of time as well as energy to craft these clothes. 

The usual African clothing designs with emblematic prints are indeed special as well as wonderful. Most of the traditions utilize the cobalt plant to dye the fabrics. Moreover, they utilize the mud of the pool to color the mud fabric. Since the Africans utilize just organic colors on their fabrics they will last evermore. Lots of women put on kaftans since they are very relaxed and thus simple to wear as well as take away. They utilize earthy tones to make that unique patterning. Generally these tones will be diverse hues of orange as well as red.

You will be surprised by how many erratic designs they are able to make on a particular fabric. And this is one of the most familiar African clothing designs which you are quite capable to purchase in the market. However, the largest advantages of African clothing designs are that you do not need to wash down them after every wear. Just for instance, you are quite capable to purchase stylish African clothing designs that made from Aso oke as well as these have to be washed down just after 3 or 4 uses. So you don’t need to spend your time washing down the dresses.

The Trendy and Stylish African Clothing for Women


When you are planning to find some trendy and fashionable African attire for women, then you need to consider lots of things like your skin tone, eyes, hair color, stature, and figure. In fact, these are all very significant issues. Having African clothes to put on for any event is a outstanding plan. Moreover, they are not extremely costly, as well. You are quite capable to purchase African attire for women by lots of online stores. You will be amazed by the amount of opportunities offered there since you will get lots of African clothes there.  Do you like to wear the dresses that adorned with beautiful and gorgeous lace? If so, then there is good news for you. There is some gorgeous African attire for the women adorned with gorgeous lace.

You may know that the African people are extremely particular regarding the lace that they utilize and you will get the voile lace in all the stylish African clothing for women. You should know that they exploit the thinnest cotton to craft this lace as well as it contributes to its eye-catching loveliness. The base that they utilize for African attire for women is 100 percent cotton, as well. It will not get smaller or lose its quality even if you do machine wash. Furthermore, they take a wonderful deal of concern to craft the lace as well as maintain its beautiful color as well as texture. These lovely laces on the African clothing for women will stay evermore and devoid of any alterations in their size or shape. You will find these laces in all the African clothing for women.

Mainly, you will get it in the traditional Iro and Bubo, but the African people apply it on other costumes, as well. People in the nobility used to put on these laces long ago. However, now you will find it in lots of African attire for women. Costumes made from Western Africa include additional lace than in other costumes made from other portions of Africa. Moreover, you will be surprised at the variation of the colors in this African dress. The rich, exciting colors as well as the sophisticated stitching are all features of African attire. Most of the renowned materials applied for crafting African attire are kente cloth, Aso oke, Adire, mud cloth and so more. These costumes are made with different tribes living in Africa. 
Friday, July 20, 2012

Ethical fashion now in Africa


Some term it as Eco-fashion, while others call it Ethical fashion, whichever way, the main point is that they talk about the social and environmental conscious fashion.

In 2000, a report was released that the world’s consumers spent 1 trillion dollars buying clothing outfits. This shows that fashion world has some power on the economic, political, social and environmental sectors. Though eco-fashion industry in Africa is still in its infancy, it will be great to see more of the African fashion manufacturers and designers start using sustainable processes and materials. We might go a level higher an overlook the issue and say- clothing is clothing and fashion is fashion, but is there ay difference? Maybe when you realize that the beautiful bag you bought recently was made after an animal was streamed alive, you will understand things better. Ethical fashion is one way of the many we (consumers) can use in reducing poverty while improving the environment and make world a better and safer place.

Ethical fashion-definition


According to EFF-ethical fashion forum, ethical fashion describes the design, retail, production and retailing of items. It covers range of issues such as pay and working conditions, sustainable production, fair trade, environment and animal welfare and such. Ethical fashion in Africa is aiming to address various problems such as environmental damage, animal cruelty, waste, exploitative forced labor, use of dangerous chemicals. In a bit to make consumers updates of how such outfits are produced, manufacturing partners through ethical brands such as ASOS Africa and SOKO Kenya offers traceability and transparency.

An eye on Africa


From research, mostly from the international brands that make use of plethora of raw resources we have in the fashion scene, you should realize that most African designers don’t use these raw materials, and instead prefers buying, cutting and sewing the materials.

More ethical industrialists and designers have recognized that organic cotton can be used as a sustainable alternative. Organic cotton helps in cutting cost, eliminating need for harmful and expensive chemicals and demand for higher price which in addition helps in reducing poverty. Scualternatives can be tapped to get more ethical African fashion practices.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Dakar becomes the Capital of Franco-African fashion


It may not have all the allure of New York or Paris but Dakar is quickly making its name as a force to be reckoned with in fashion stakes.

The recent 10th annual Fashion week in Dakar attracted an international audience to showcase what they got in terms of African collections. It is a decade since Senegalese designer Adama Ndiaye unveiled first show. The city has now earned itself a unique title-Capital of Franco African Fashion.

This is a very important milestone for this country and everyone who is an associate of high-end African fashion.

Helen Jennings, fashion analysts says that 2012 event was attended by the godfathers of the African fashion who cemented the Dakar’s reputation.

Jennings who is also the editor of Arise, A London-based fashion magazine that campaigns for the African fashion, pointed the important difference between English and French inspired fashion in Africa.
“The Anglophone Africa is more westernized on the whole and hence gets more attention from the international community, while Francophone designs, though still contemporary, veer towards more traditional styles, especially the North African kaftans and Senegalese Boubou.”

If you are an African fashion enthusiast, you understand well that this must be a refreshing change to see such influences on the catwalk. It also helps the same collection to have a placer in international markets.

However, Jennings added that Dakar was not the capital of African fashion. There are other capitals such as Nigeria and South Africa which are the host of Arise Fashion magazine and Africa fashion week runners respectively.

It’s very interesting to see how growth has taken place in the African fashion industry in the recent past. In fact it as become a wider economic boom on this continent, as Jennings says.

While Africa was previously seen as a source of anthropological inspiration for international brands only, the homegrown talents are now standing up to be counted too and riding wave of interest in Africa’s cultural and economic ascension. 

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

African print in fashion-a word with Akua Berko


MABM (Maa Akua Berko-Mensah) is a clothing label for all women of any shape and size. MABM was founded in 2011, as Berko tells us. Responding to the inquiry of how heritage influences or inspires his design, Berko says “as a Ghanaian born and raised, my culture and upbringing has the largest influence on what I design. Hence I use the African prints.”
APiF: if your label was a person, what kind of a person would it be?
Berko: that person would be an optimistic woman with character and dreams.
ApiF: what is your favorite closet piece in your collection and why?
Berko: I have a couple of pieces which I adore. Ine is the Limelight from my new collection. I love it because of its uniqueness and combination of the African Print and pastel cotton fabric. Apart from that, it works well with it. It’s a pencil skirt and peplum top.
People need to get fashion collections easily and with comfort, at least. How do you market your design and make them accessible to your audience out there?
Berko: I currently have a Facebook page and a website which I use to showcase and carry some of my ready-to-wear pieces.
What tips do you have for the start ups and new designers in this fashion industry?
Berko: my advice is that no one should bring you down. Have less room for obstacles and rather focus on your dreams and aspirations. It may not be easy, but as long as you have the capability to place yourself in a position of making it, no matter what, you will still make it.
ApiF: plans for this year?
Yeah, this year is great for us to move higher. We have a major show-Africa Fashion Week New York expected to take place on 13th July, where we shall be showcasing our new outfits and collections. In September, we shall also take part in a major show in Las Vegas Ankara Festival and some of our collections will be available for sale.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

African fashion taking over London


Flowing unprecedented success of last years event, AWFL (Africa Fashion Week London) has now relocated to London Spitalfields, the recent winners of Best New Open Space award. 2012 event is scheduled to take place from the August 3rd-4th and is set to be bigger and better with larger venue, tons of exhibitors and fashion designers. It will also be featuring catwalks showcasing designs from the casual wear to elegant evening outfits, garments and accessories too.

AFWL is a teamed up exhibition which highlights the fashion industry premier, African designers and prints. It’s the first large event to showcase in UK and non-UK based seasons and emerging fashion designers from Africa. This event is open to all fashion designers from all nationalities who are inspired by the Africans designs. The glowing press reviews and high attendance in last years event have boosted the AFWL profile top captivate winder audience come this years event.

Last year’s show debuted with an impressive turn-out of over 4,000 attendees. The two day extravaganza created unparallel platform for more than 50 international designers to showcase their fashion collections. With the Olympics this year, its estimate4d that 7 Million London visitors are setting into the capital, with every one from every corner of the world focusing on what London has to offer.

AWFL is now at the front of capturing the surge of African inspired trends in fashion industry and time has come to highlight Africa as a front runner in international fashion community. This years event is hoped to each a higher magnitude. Be promoting African outfits globally, AWFL is hoping to integrate different African countries into the fashion industry and contribute to reducing the rate of poverty by developing fashion and textile industry, says Ronke Ademiluyi AWFL  CEO.

With a capacity of above 10,000 visitors, Spitalfields is seen as the perfect location for the 2-day fashion display.


Monday, July 16, 2012

African fashion in new shape


The days when settling on a skirt that was too baggy around the waist because it fits around the hips may be facing an edge for many African women. Thanks to mother-and-son team who are cracking a sizing system that is conforming to the black women unique contours.
“The shape of the clothing in the shop doesn’t solidify, compared with the shape of An African woman” Fikile Nxedlana says over the phone from Vunula fashion workshop (Her House) in Durban.

Ask most of the African about fashion and they will tell you, from a mother of sixty, that since they were teenagers, if they are lucky to get an outfit that was fitting, that would either be a fitting top but unfitting bottom. Either it’s too baggy or stands out at the back such that you can never find pants. Jamal Nxedlana agrees with this wholeheartedly “the problem is usually the hip-to-waist ratio”.

Western patterns have no room for natural hourglass figure. Facing facts, women have more dramatic curves than what the stores suggests.

It’s through such things that young fashionista, styled with the likes of Loyiso Bala and Spoke Mathambo, and his traditional mother have teamed to create new label called the misshape. The label was instantly aimed at the young professionals, boasting chic silhouette courtesy of Jamal and new sizing system, a basic reality of the African measurement, developed by Fikile.

“I would buy clothes and change them” discloses Fikile. “Soon I was modifying all my friends’ outfits. I then took a design course and started to make clothes. That is what inspired me to push Jamal and let people know that there is a market here. In trying to correct the patterns, I came up with new ways of working things out.”

Fikile creates the look while the mother creates the pattern. He chooses the fabric while she produces the outfits at her factory. It’s the same place that she trains the unemployed women to help them make a living out of fashion.

African fashion finds home in Dakar


Dakar fashion week last month celebrated its 10 years with biggest lineup yet. Organizers of the event aimed to reach the heights of fashion weeks in New York and Paris while maintaining African. High fashion is not as new thing in Africa. According to Adama Ndiaye “the fashion had its own special quality.”

“We do one by one. We do not send it to the factory because we lack a big factory. This is a thing we’ve been doing forever.” Continues Ndiaye. However, like any other industry in the continent, African fashion is still developing.

To assist in make some milestones, Ndiaye started the Dakar Fashion Week. Ten years along, the event has drawn attention of industry notables from different parts of Africa and the entire world as well.

Originally, Marcial Tapolo from Cameroon came from Paris to participate for a 2nd time. “Its like one of those high-class shows she’s trying to do a very sophisticated and rare fashion show in Africa.” Puts Marcial.

Despite the presence of international designers, most of the talent is local, in deliberate effort to showcase models and designers from Senegal. Arame Sarr is another person who has been attending both the Paris and New York fashion weeks, but in her view, “I prefer this one because I myself am a Senegalese. So for me, its one of the best because we can show to everyone in this world that fashion is great in Africa and it began here.”

Everybody should understand that fashion is not for people who can afford it. Fashion is like music, it’s like painting. Fashion makes you feel good and it’s the same here in Dakar” Diaye says.

In the marketing of 10th year and confront the exclusivity frequently found in the fashion industry, the first show of the week was open to the public thousands of people came to the middle of Dakar to view different African fashion collections.

Since it’s entirely self-sustaining, the fashion week is a net boost to the economy of Senegal and fashion scene as well.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Wearing African Clothes


Wearing African clothes is very prestigious to the black people of Africa and America. Most of the clothes that African and African American people wear are vibrantly colored and nicely designed. However, it is to admit in some countries where black people reside, there has been a replacement of these traditional clothes by European dresses. This is a big question if the other parts of the world where black people reside are going to adopt these western dresses casting away the thousand year old African clothes. However, in the northern part of Africa (Egypt for one) the conventional pinkish thongs worn by women there are basically influenced by the Middle Eastern culture and it will be obvious to you when you see the embroidered Jellabiya dresses. But the northwestern part of Africa is actually less influenced by the western culture and is still contented with antiquity. The very common and popular African clothe Djellaba has the same properties as the Dashiki, the Grand Boubou and the Kaftans.

Within Sahelian African continent, the actual Dashiki, Senegalese kaftan, and also the Grand boubou tend to be worn much more prominently, although not solely. The Dashiki is actually highly stylized and it is rendered by having an ornate V-shaped collar. In comparison with that, the Great Boubou is very simple, even much more than the actual Djellaba, although the color styles reach amazing proportions, especially one of the Tuareg, who are recognized for their superbly dyed indigo robes. The great majority of fabric produced within the African continent in the centuries had been simple designs made by combining the actual natural whitened (as well as sometimes beige) of the cotton fibers with stripes of numerous shades of indigo azure. Depending upon the relative density of the warp as well as weft posts, the ensuing cloths might have stripes down to the strip- warp faced-or over the strip –weft faced. They mainly wore the skin of the pet and a few times wove the actual fur right into a piece of clothing. You should remember a few things when you are planning on wearing African clothes. For example, putting on African clothes having socks in your feet has a tendency to expose a person and make you a beginner in your dressing design. You can all kinds of fashionable African clothes at www.afrawear.com

Saturday, July 7, 2012

The Art of African Fashion


There are so many women who have already figured out how to master the art of African fashion. However, I have seen a lot of women who are still trying to figure this out and they keep worrying about how to look beautiful in African dresses. There are actually no exceptions to looking beautiful everyday in whatever dresses you wear. All women do want to look beautiful wearing the perfect African dresses for them. As children, many women were dressed up by their parents. As teens, you probably just followed the style. But when you are adult, the alternatives are ceaseless for the reason that options are generally so substantial, how could you possibly go to your individual method? In fact, pretty much like the same way as you often find your one real love after dating a dozens of people, you can fall in love with a dozens of pairs of shoes at a single shop by yourself. And you will also be astonished by the play of colors throughout these African dresses and accessories for females. The prosperous, vibrant colors plus the elaborate embroidery are common hallmarks involving African clothes for females. Some of the extremely famous fabrics used by making African attire for females are Aso oke, kente towel, mud towel, Adire and the like. These clothes are produced by distinct tribes residing in Africa and perhaps they are all side woven with a great deal of love along with care.

Now, the excellent conclusion for many would always be to appoint a private shopper and leave your decision-making to expert hands. Unluckily, few people have enough money for that option. So the subsequent best strategy should be to gain a greater understanding of tips on how to develop your own style. These alternatives of editorials gives you all the details you'll want to begin that will process. And you can find all the latest and fashionable African dresses and accessories at www.afrawear.com

It is kind of hard to find the best fashionable dresses that are in vogue right now since each fashion season brings out new dresses and accessories. If you feel confused and do not know which dress to choose, you are not alone in this. Factually thousands of African clothes designers all over the world are creatively turning out mountains of threads. So pick the best African dress for you.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Different Types and Features of African Clothes


One can find thousands of types of African dresses and there will be more to find. Because of the vastness of the African tradition, African dresses come in different types and with numerous features. There can be countless categories of African fashionable clothes, but various styles that differentiate yourself for ones’ own popularity and their symbolic significance comprise of dashikis, brightly reproduced tunics which will become popular in north America during the Black Power movement. Another very popular type of African cloth is stitched yoruba aso oke, worn for clelbreation; and princess or queen kaftans, which normally are reproduced in precisely designed patterns. Designed for men, a standout Africa ensemble has a four-piece matched babariga outfit having a hat, long-sleeved t shirt, agbada bubu (a little like an important flowing cape) and even pants. All thses types of African clothes are available at www.afrawear.com

You can find excessive vivid shades in African attire, but select them only when you have a mild caramel appearance. Brilliant colors are not going to look that best for African colors. Caramel complexioned women should go for African American attire with light white, soft yellows, lilacs and also ivory. In case you are of African descent, you then are blessed, because you will have warm gleam about you it doesn't matter what season it really is. You can easily choose African attire that may enhance this kind of glow inside you. Try several velvety shades to get a change, it's going to make an individual absolutely beautiful. Among different features of African clothes, rich colors and prints are the most important and emphasized. Creative designers can create different patterns out of tie dye and batik (a method to apply wax to textile before dying). Some other features that are applied to African clothes are brocade, embroidery and beading. Surprisingly enough, there are still out there who still prefer hand weaving for any kind of special occasion and expensive clothing. Weaving has got many religious and mythic meaning associated with it. An individual is that within the Dogons who assume each place of spinning and weaving thread may be a symbolic analogy to our reproduction together with resurrection. Utilizing this type, they assume the systems of spinning and weaving may be well only if finished in daylight hours. To weave at night means to weave the quiet and darkness within the cloth.
Sunday, July 1, 2012

African Wedding Dresses: A Few Facts


On a wedding day, African brides and grooms wear different traditional dresses that look dashing on them. We will look at some of the facts regarding the clothes the African brides should wear. The conventional African bride-to-be wears a marriage ensemble that includes a long wrap-around dress, loose-fitting shirt, shawl as well as headpiece emblematic of modesty within African custom. Most of the fabric that is used for creating the marriage ensemble is actually graceful, ornate and constructed from textiles found most suitable for unique occasions for example weddings. Generally worn by the brides in West African tradition, the wrap-around skirt and the matching blouse would be the iro ati bubba--a two-piece garment constructed from brocade fabric onto that symbols of fertility as well as longevity tend to be embroidered. The headpiece consists of coordinating or even matching material, and is a fundamental element of African conventional attire, for unique occasions as well as everyday wearing too.

On any special occasions like wedding, you should dress in a stylish way because there will be guests looking at you. In accordance with the African tradition, marriage is seen by others as the uniting of two families, observed by friends and even entire tribes. This is an occasion where guests show off their deluxe clothes, plus certain pieces of clothing specially reserved for weddings. It is mainly because marriages are one of the most formal events that everyone invited attends and this is when everyone from the bride to the youngest guest puts on dresses befitting the tradition.

On formal wedding ceremonies, suits along with other items could be hired or even purchased whereby should you hire them, you may save a great deal of money especially regarding suits. In neck scarves, it might be more difficult since the shop might have a limited quantity of ties or even cravats. Typically the most popular wedding neck of the ties is available in plain polyester silk or man-made fiber fabric that you could hire for any fair value. If you aren't sure where you can shop for bridal purses, you will find a number of styles at www.afrawear.com moreover, other wedding accessories for example tiaras, diamond ring cushions, jewelry, and much more are available there. Use these pointers to locate a lovely wedding handbag for the special day time!

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