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.
Labels:
African fashion,
Fashion,
outfit
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Popular Posts
-
Now that’s an absurd question! But for those fashion savvies like me, that’s an interesting topic that would spark excitement and trigger c...
-
Yesterday, I went to this vintage store in the outskirt of Johannesburg and I saw these beautifully-crafted designs of a common African hat...
-
If you have ever tried finding the right wining numbers for a lottery, then you understand how challenging it can be. Similarly, findi...
-
Managing a springy, wavy, spirally and kinky crown can sometimes be a daunting ordeal. With a lot of help from beauty products and media re...
-
African Fashion is a fashion portal dedicated to promote and boost the rich, diverse, and exuberant culture of Africa. You can experience ...
-
Seeing Africa in the eyes of a fashionista may not be as adventurous as that of someone from National Geographic but for fashion lovers out ...
-
“I love prints, oh I love them all, and I can’t get enough of them. But how can I pull off a look that is not revolting and a total boo-boo?...
-
Maybe the fashion show in Ghana which is held approximately one week event is a common event for the African fashion lovers. This fashion e...
-
Collection of long dresses has become a fashion staple for almost every woman. They have in fact become versatile and appropriate for every ...
-
Are you running from end to end trying to keep up with yourself in the middle of all the frenzy? Or do you have a really stressful job keep...
Blog Archive
-
▼
2012
(49)
-
▼
July
(12)
- Unique Features of African Clothing Designs
- The Trendy and Stylish African Clothing for Women
- Ethical fashion now in Africa
- Dakar becomes the Capital of Franco-African fashion
- African print in fashion-a word with Akua Berko
- African fashion taking over London
- African fashion in new shape
- African fashion finds home in Dakar
- Wearing African Clothes
- The Art of African Fashion
- Different Types and Features of African Clothes
- African Wedding Dresses: A Few Facts
-
▼
July
(12)
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.