Showing posts with label African fabric. Show all posts
Showing posts with label African fabric. Show all posts
Sunday, June 24, 2012

Some Of the Best Women’s African Dresses

9:05 AM | Posted by M. Zahir Hossain (Dauler) | | Edit Post

The same way in most of the countries of the world, African women also wear expensive and fashionable dresses on any special occasions. The Western African wrapper set is put on widely in marriage ceremonies. It includes a buba -a conventional African shirt- and an iro -an extended wrap dress. Also another good type of African dress is gelee –a head-wrap. As the wrapper set itself isn't considered official attire, sets put on for weddings are constructed with fine, stitched fabrics. Gelees put on for wedding ceremonies can really be big and sophisticated. You might have heard of the boot-cut pant.  These pants go well with the platforms or heels but must never been worn with the flat shoes. The last thing to consider is wearing tapered pants as they only works for the model-thin figure women. Pair of black dress pants is definite plus size dresses apparel essential. It works best with fitted suit jacket and button-down short with a collar. It can also work out with sexy camisole and cardigan set.

Large African women should try avoiding stretchy black pants which have elastic waist lines. Instead, they should select pants tailored to fit for their bodies. However, you should always pay heed to colors and prints of the African attire you are about to buy because some of the traditional features of African clothing relate to colors and prints. The modern age has taken a hugely popular, however highly questionable, type of clothing to Africa. Recognized in Far eastern Africa as mitumba, or even white male's clothes, they are the second-hand clothes delivered to Africa in the Western globe. Although mitumba is really a popular customer item, even offered in areas where it's been outlawed, it's ravaged the neighborhood textile producers who cannot contend with the marketplace of donated items which are after that sold for gaining from companies.

If you are planning on putting on African dresses on any special occasion, you must consider the religious facts too. Know beforehand about any religious obligations relating to any African dresses before putting them on. Know about the material used to make the dress. Normally locally grown cotton is used mostly in producing the fabrics but sometimes camel and sheep wool are used instead. You can know so more things and buy Africa fashionable dresses from www.afrawear.com
Labels: , , , | 0 comments
Tuesday, May 24, 2011

What is an African Brocade?

12:12 AM | Posted by African Fashions | | Edit Post
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!

Do you have a brocade dress hidden somewhere? It’s about time you shine with them with a proper way of mix and match.
Labels: , , , , | 0 comments
Sunday, May 22, 2011

The African Fashion Day: August 6, 2011

8:58 PM | Posted by African Fashions | | Edit Post
“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.
Labels: , , | 0 comments
Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Beat the Summer Heat

7:59 AM | Posted by African Fashions | | Edit Post
How to Dress in the Hot Weather

In the months where the days are longest and the nights are shortest, there’s no better time to dress up and enjoy the outdoors than summer.   So let’s do a heads start and shift our focus to the amazing days ahead.  Here are a few tips on how to stay cool, have fun, and look as hot as ever to celebrate the best of summer.

Stylish and Comfortable Basics
Cotton and silk are the greatest fabrics for the hot summer months.  As much as possible, try to stay clear from synthetic fabrics and stick to something made of natural fibers.  Of course, never compromise style by adding a few pops of accessories to your comfy basics.  You can either add an exotic and elaborate necklace or an embellished belt to complete the look.

Whites and Colors
White will always be the coolest color to beat the heat.  It reflects the light while staying crisp and fabulous.   Summer is also the best excuse to wear some of your favorite vibrant colors.  If you have been meaning to wear that bright yellow top, it is the best time to wear that.  You can never go wrong with the mix and match of colors, whites, and neutrals at this time of the year.

Show Some Skin
The key to showing some skin is balance.  Never ever reveal too much just because of the very hot weather.  With this, I mean you cannot parade around showing off your stomach, cleavage or even your entire back.  If you want to show off your legs, strike a balance with the top. I guess you know by now what I mean.

Play up with Tops
Look stunning in tops which are not too tight and clingy but not too loose and sloppy.  You can be dressier in thin knit tops in cotton or silk rather than T-shirts, just take note that they are pristine and crisply pressed.  If you opt for sleeveless tops, make sure it is the perfect fit and not leaving plenty of room around the armholes.

Skirt it Up
Isn’t it just cool and feminine to skirt up?  I always find it romantic when the breeze catches the hems gracefully and lifts the skirt up a little… Think about it…

There’s more to summer fashion… watch out for my next feature on the summer hair and make-up…
Labels: , , | 0 comments
Friday, May 13, 2011

Print Overload that Works!

10:34 PM | Posted by African Fashions | | Edit Post
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…

Labels: , , , , | 0 comments
Sunday, April 3, 2011

The Spirit of Africa in a Piece of Cloth

8:12 AM | Posted by African Fashions | | Edit Post
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/.
Labels: , , , , , , | 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Popular Posts