Showing posts with label African Clothing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label African Clothing. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Big sexy and the fashionable plus size clothing-encouragement to African woman
TLC, a learning channel has done us great by recently airing
an exclusive series which involves five plus size women, their adventures,
struggles, and victories in fashion industry. The big sexy was the best hit for
a good season, and reason, especially considering the African woman. It took
candid look at the fashionable plus size
clothing world and how it has affected the lives of women who are involved
in it.
In the last episode, aired on September, a photo shoot was
made in Miami for the group wearing swim wear and bikinis. One of them, (Nikki)
who despite being a fashionable plus size clothing model never thought of being
shot beside size 2 models, though had reservations, accepted the shot. Fact is
that she also never wore a bikini before, but the shot looks fabulous with her
confident curvy diva, carrying her with poise and grace.
After the shot, these girls headed for the beach and found
hunky guys to play volleyball. The show was entertaining and showed lots of real
moments of the doubts and victory the women went through. All of the big five
were wearing plus size clothing
which made them look good, or should we say better than the thinner women out
there, and above all, they just played the ignorance. One of the girls
disclosed that they had a good time in Miami Beach bar, where they were pulled
up; one-by-one by the hunky dancers on stage. It showed one thing, they looked
superceedingly beautiful with the plus size clothing, despite their size. Or do
you think the hunky dancers would go for them, if there was no attraction
between them?
Confidence is one characteristic that the women shared. They
had looked into the world in the eye and had no excuse nor apologize of what
their size was. They had worn plus size clothing with the style and grace, providing
unique style on each of them. This has reminded me of the African region, which
is fairing well with especially considering the case of the big women. This
series should help you understand and give you confidence in letting the world
know that the big size is what you are, and that you are proud of it. If you
have confidence on the plus size
clothing you wear, and make sure they are the right ones for the best
reason, nothing should make you feel intimidated or down. You will make the
world change, in terms of fashion beliefs and beauty.
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.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
African Clothes: Vlisco Collection
Just like a lady assembles as well as collects items throughout the life, Vlisco has been assembling their own treasures associated with fabrics as well as designs for over 160 years. With this particular wealth and experience accompanied by unique store of motivation, Vlisco is actually launching their own first style, wax block fabric selection, Belle d'Afrique.
Belle d'Afrique refers not just to the actual beautiful Africa continent in most its variety, but towards the elegance as well as stature from the African women and also the treasures women may gather. Precious items, for example ornate decorative mirrors, shells, flowers as well as jewelry containers are discovered within the refined levels of printing. The peaceful but impartial and fun spirit from the African lady is straight reflected on the design from the Belle d'Afrique selection. Every backyard of fabric is exclusive because of the complicated printing process. Every style embodies the actual exclusive plus recognizable Vlisco signature.
This unique signature sometimes appears in a single synergistic tale for the very first time. The stylish color contrasts as well as diversity associated with design combos, endorses the actual talent from the Vlisco in-house creative designers as first class. Not pleased with storytelling in a single fabric design, they've created intertwined tales of cherished mementos, keep-sakes as well as romance. Truth is the romance always goes on.
Vlisco's own treasure container and exclusive romance with their customer and Africa will permit them to repeatedly launch ever inspirational, innovative and elite collections- collections that will be changed into clothes to compliment the womanliness of the African woman. But for now, we wait with abated breathe to heed what original names of kind word each design will be awarded from the customers themselves, in true Vlisco tradition.
African dresses have evolved drastically over the very recent years and the collections of Vlisco are proof to that. The thought of African clothing made by Vlisco inspires images of rich colors and ritual dress but, the truth is, African clothing is as varied as the African continent. Africa's historic civilizations show the continent's lengthy history of making clothing with regard to utilitarian in addition to celebratory as well as symbolic reasons. Despite its many variants, there tend to be several unifying options that come with and information about African clothes.
Monday, April 23, 2012
What Is So Special About African Clothing Designs
African clothing designs are in great demand these days because they are extremely unique in their own right. Though Africans had their own way of wearing dresses for more than 75000 years, the world has only recently appreciated the true beauty of African dresses. The wonderfully crafted dresses will define your personality and stamp your uniqueness.
When you wear ordinary clothes like everyone else you will not be noticed; but when you wear African clothing designs, people will just sit up and take notice. There is a certain amount of charm to these African clothing designs and if you visit www.afrawear.com you can easily observe it.
This is because all African clothing designs are made from the finest fabrics available from Africa. They are made with 100% cotton and they allow your skin to breathe. You can wear African clothing during all seasons. The significant feature of African clothing designs is its design and print. Nobody can deny its uniqueness and each of the African clothing design will signify the culture and indigenous culture pertaining to that area. The prints in African clothing designs are very large and they signify the tradition of the particular tribe that creates these fabrics. Each tribe takes a lot of time and energy to make these clothes.
The traditional African clothing designs with symbolic prints are so wonderful and special. Most of the cultures use the indigo plant for dying the clothes. And they use the mud from the pond to dye the mud cloth. Because the Africans use only natural dyes on their clothes they will last forever. Many of the women wear kaftans because they are extremely comfortable and hence easy to wear and remove. They use earthy tones to create that special patterning. Mostly these tones will be different hues of red and orange. You will be impressed by how many variable designs they can make on a single fabric. This is one of the most common African clothing designs that you can buy in the market.
The biggest benefit of African clothing designs is that you don’t have to wash them after each wear. For example, you can buy fashionable African clothing designs made from Aso Oke and these need to be washed only after three or four uses.When you search for traditional African clothing at www.afrawear.com you will be pleased by the enormous opportunities offered. And all for a good price too.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The Designers behind African Fashions
I was looking through some runway pictures and that gave me an inspiration on what to write today. I’m not talking about the interesting dresses that rocked the runways; I’m talking about the people behind African fashion who have made it a mainstream in the fashion industry? I give kudus to all the designers out there who have really made an exceptional effort to showcase the beauty of the African style in their choice of fabrics, prints and designs.
With my inclination towards simple cuts, prints, and vibrant hues, obviously enough, I want to go first with those designers that has captivated me with their take on the fusion of colors and created a striking balance in giving a modern touch to the traditional African fashion.
Korto Momolu, the fashion designer who won first runner-up on the fifth season of the hit show Project Runway has always caught my attention with her expert taste in the selection of fabrics and rich hues. Her designs are truly inspired by her African roots and she has shown this in many glorious ways. Check out a few of her designs that never went out of style.
Syl Anim has done many creative designs that are always awe-inspiring. With her passion for intricate handmade weave designs, she has showcased a style that is also uniquely African. For her creations, she uses authentic African fabrics, beads, wood, wool, and many other embellishments that she sets her eye on. See one of her work below.
Gloria Wavamunno creates a fashion statement that is uniquely inspired by the culture, music, and colors of Africa. See how she has brought a fresh take to the African prints.
These few designers have made excellent contributions in bringing African fashion to what it is today. Not only are they big on talent, they have a big heart. They have supported many charitable institutions with their work. I hope to see more of their designs showcased in the runways. There are still a lot more I want to feature and many designs that a want to talk about next time. It’s really amazing how talent can help the world.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
What is an African Brocade?
The African Brocade is a special kind of fabric with raised pattern that is usually made of colored silks. It is a luxurious type of fabric with exquisite designs and elaborate details which are intricately shuttle-woven for a shiny and starchy effect. Some designs can be uniquely subtle and some may feature a wide array of floral patterns, plants or other aesthetic elements.
Typically, brocades are made by a draw loom using a combined standard weft and supplemental weft in the weaving process. The dual weft technique gives out a weave that looks embroidered on like a raised design. This technique can also furnish an ideal degree of stiffness to the fabric creating a material that is thicker and sturdier. The decorative brocading is normally produced by the supplemental weft technique that shapes out the design on top of the main fabric, also giving in a tightening impact to the entire cloth.
African Brocades are also called Basin or Bazin fabrics and is widely popular in West Africa. It displays the beautiful and vibrant features of the African culture. It is frequently woven with numerous types of silks that are accentuated with metallic threads to add texture and interesting effect. Brocade is a fabric for special occasions and a wonderful ensemble for a traditional African wedding or formal event. This Brocade Pleated Skirt Set below is the perfect number you can wear for an all out African glamor.
Aside from the traditional African way the brocade has been used, it has come to evolved and used by many fashion designers. With the quality and design of each fabric, it can generate a myriad of creations and inspirations that can surely look stunning for everyone – black or white. The evolution of the African textile has surely prevailed in the fashion industry in so many ways. Hopefully soon, we can see many of our African – American celebrities out there rock this fabulous fabric. For a varied touch on the brocade fabric, check how these famous celebrities like Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, and Kristen Stewart looked so marvelous in richly colored brocade ensembles. If they can look fabulous in this classy fabric, so can you!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The African Fashion Day: August 6, 2011
“African Fashion Day is a day to encourage us to wear African attire and to inspire us to be more involved in African attire a step more than we already are. It is a day to let us believe that our talent limited by regional boundaries, and that we should be comfortable with sharing our beautiful talents with the foreign world and encourage them to wear Africa as well as introducing them to embrace African fashion more. Stand proud in your African garms when you go shopping, on a date, to a meeting or to a club or party event.” – Shireen Benjamin, the International Beauty Queen of West Africa
While the splendid growth of the African music has dominated the music industry worldwide, Shireen has noted that it was appalling to see on national media that despite this conferring glory of African talent, rarely can we see the artist neither wearing the African attire nor promoting any African designers. In her heartwarming words, it is downright true that “African fashion from all regions of Africa is beautiful and we can’t wait for the people and media abroad to appreciate it before we become more confident with wearing it.”
A day to celebrate the remarkable fashion and style of Africa is about to come on August 6, 2011. So mark your calendars now and join the heritage rocking experience. It is aimed to celebrate every first Saturday of August as the African Fashion Day. I have high respects for Shireen Benjamin who is the advocate for this movement and dedicate her time in the support of the African Fashion all over the globe. Kudos to her and the glorious efforts of the Miss West Africa event organizers!
Universal exploration and expression of the many facets of the African fashion will be heightened on this day. It is the moment to expose the myriad of interesting styles, colors, and textiles of the African continent for the Africans and the friends of Africa alike. Isn’t it just wonderful that someone has stepped up and launches this movement for a beautiful cause?
Be part of the answer, strike a difference, and make a statement. To know more and to support the cause of the African Fashion Day, follow this link.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Print Overload that Works!
I found this picture online at Optimum Media and I am really amazed at how these ladies rocked the vibrant African prints – a classic print overload that works! It was a feature on African Fashion designs and how these garments can be availed online. I find it really impressive as it is very difficult to pull off different prints all at the same time. But look at them have fun with all these prints! And have your noticed the shoes and the accessories? Wow! It is an ambitious parade of colors, prints, and patterns. Being a savvy on arts and prints, this is one image that is utterly a captivating African Fashion – a get-up that is perfect for the breezy months of spring and the balmy weather of summer where you can stand out and rock the prints. African prints can come in different designs ranging from wax prints, kente prints, gold prints, and the list goes on. The ladies in the picture are using the African wax print fabrics, so I want to delve more on that.
Historically, African wax printed fabrics can be traced back to the batik wax-resist textiles from Indonesia in the 1800’s and it evolved throughout Africa mainly by the Dutch traders. With its uniqueness and versatility, it has captured the African interest since it is a fabric that is suitable for the African weather and culture. Through time African prints has emerged to be of refined quality with may customizations and has since then reflected the true African heritage and traditions. These prints represent many events and stories as well as reflecting the beautiful facets of Africa like their landscapes, flora, and fauna. These fabrics are widely found and created in Ghana, Senegal and Nigeria.
Most African wax printed cloth is made by using a mechanical resist called batik during the cloth dying process. The prints are created by printing the patterns in wax on the cloth and before dyeing the fabric. The wax is spread and broken off by the machine. Varying patterns may require the fabric to be printed many times over until the desired design is attained.
Remember, these prints might look good on the ladies above, but you have to be careful in the mix and match of colors and patterns… So have fun with those prints and show me how you rock them…
Monday, May 9, 2011
Rock your Heritage
Exploring the many facets of African fashion has led me to the discovery of many terminologies that are uniquely African. These are the words that have brought meaning and intensified the evolution of African Fashion all over the globe. I may have mentioned them several times in my previous blogs but I want to put more emphasis now to these words that have rocked the African-American heritage and paved the way for many African inspired designs.
Adire – a tie-dye cloth using a variety of resist die technique
Adinkra cloth - a kind of hand printed fabric divided into squares by dye lines and stamped with traditional symbols
Buba – a set of garment that consists of a loose shirt and elasticized trousers
Bògòlanfini – also referred to as the bogolan or mud cloth, a handmade cotton fabric traditionally dyed with fermented mud and employs a century old process using innumerable applications of diverse plant juices and mud to dye a cloth
Dashiki - a loose-fitting tunic, pull-over upper garment
Djellaba – a traditionally long, loose-fitting outer robe with full sleeves
Gele – a woman’s elaborate head wrap
Gomesi - a floor length, brightly colored woman’s dress with a square neckline and short, puffed sleeves, and tied with a sash placed below the waist over the hips
Kanga – colorful garment similar to a kitenge, about 1.5m by 1m, often with a border along all four sides
Kaftan– also spelled as caftan, a full length and loose dress that comes with loose wide sleeves
Kente – a colorful fabric hand woven on a horizontal treadle loom where strips are sewn together to create a larger piece of cloth
Kitenge – similar to a sarong, often worn by women wrapped around the chest or waist
Takchita – a Moroccan two-piece garment consisting of a fine dress as the first layer and second layer with elaborate embellishments that usually has buttons up closures
These may just be words to you, but from where they come from, these words are a way of life and a source of inspiration. Have a left out anything that’s uniquely African? Please feel free to post a comment so I can feature them next time…
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The Spirit of Africa in a Piece of Cloth
The African fabric has stirred the fashion industry and has gained worldwide popularity by rocking the international runways and fashion magazines. Celebrated designers have grown to favor the intricate and rich designs of this fabric to give glory to their creations. Most of African fashions can be rooted and highly influenced by the amazing artistry of the African fabrics. It is unique and embodies original creativity like no other fashion style can.
The African textile has been a significant part of African history. According to ancient accounts, the textiles of Africa were used as their form of monetary exchange. The value and width of every strip of cloth was standardized in each region making it easy in the business trades. Other than that, textiles were also used to identify the members of the tribe.
Every fragment of African fabric is an embodiment of African culture, arts, wealth, and history. Every weave and spin of the thread was believed to have profound symbolic and spiritual meanings. Today these fabrics remain to be celebrated and appreciated for its unequalled craftsmanship, vibrant colors, and elaborate patterns.
Among the most popular fabrics known to many are the kente, adinkra, and bogolan. The kente is a beautiful piece of cloth hand-woven on a loom wherein about four inch strips are sewn together to form a larger piece of cloth in various patterns, designs, and colors. Adinkra textile is a kind of hand printed fabric divided into squares by dye lines and stamped with traditional symbols. The bogolan (or sometimes called as Bògòlanfini) is a traditional fabric dyed with fermented mud featuring exquisite designs. These fabrics have played very important roles in the many social and religious gatherings of the African regions.
Although the textiles have much great societal and spiritual relevance to Africa, nowadays, it has been the primary source of occupation and income to the absolute majority of Africans. Do you know that we can see many textile manufacturers who have gone out of their way not only to sell and market their fabrics but to help Mother Africa as well? Find out more at http://www.afrawear.com/.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Beyond Fashion
African Fashions: A beautiful reality
It’s not just about clothes and accessories that represent Africa…
It’s not just about geometric prints, vibrant colors, and dazzling patterns…
It’s not just about being stylish and fashionable…
It’s about the people who wear them…
It’s about the people who made them…
And it’s about mother Africa where it all started…
In a continent that offers a variety of clothing, jewelries, colorful wraps, and wearable art, much is still left unveiled. A beautiful reality is to know that African fashion encompasses the desire to be patronized and flaunted. African fashion exists to instill pride, to unite, and to open doors for African talents and trades. The compassion of the people behind every garment or accessory is beyond compare.
If you, in all your stylishness want to be a part of a culture and heritage that’s uniquely you, then do not be forever distraught in finding ways how to be truly grateful to mother Africa. Support Afrawear’s cause and be one of the many fashion savvies who strive to promote Africa through its fashion, style, history, music, and geography. Afrawear was created because of two people’s desire to promote and encourage African-Americans out there, not only to be in style or trendy or in fashion, but to reach out and be heard.
Do you know that many suppliers from Africa are united to donate a part of their profits to realize the dreams of many African artisans? Everybody has dreams and everybody wants to be beautiful, but not everybody has the chance to be charitable. You share because you can and you care because you have so much more to give. Your caftan or dashiki is not just an attire to show your ethnic affiliation, or because it is suiting and dainty, it is to show the world that there are many skilled people in Africa who are yet to be given all the privileges.
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