Showing posts with label Dashiki. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dashiki. Show all posts
Saturday, May 14, 2011

Celebrities in African Fashion

Do you know that African fashion is not only for African women?  To prove my point, see how these celebrities have flaunted their dashiki and caftans in an ultra fashionable way.  Thanks to the efforts of the many African designers and non-African designers alike who have dominated the fashion scene inspired by the unique and comfortable features of the traditional African fashion.  And thanks to these stars who have showcased these wardrobes and influenced many of their iconic fashion.

Check out how Mary - Kate Olsen rocked a dashiki, isn’t she just adorable?  The studded belt and high heels makes the traditional dashiki cut looks even more structured and stunning.  Comfortable, elegant, breezy, and super feminine – this is a look that can surely make you a star in your own right.  So what are you waiting for?  Try to replicate this get-up in fabulous ways. I just know where to look for the right dashiki perfect for the coming summer season where you can flaunt with exceptional vibrancy… Start by searching African Fashions online…

Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe below are both really lovely in a long flowing and shimmering caftan numbers.  The floral prints, the vibrant tones, and the amazing cut are without a doubt effortlessly sophisticated.  These caftans are beautifully crafted enhancing the beautiful features of these ladies.  Do you want go get their look?  Check out the many caftan choices online.  You will be surprised at how elegant and charming these pieces are.

For Africans all over the world, it is flattering to see our very own traditional fashion donned by some celebrities.  Yes, it is a great honor when people appreciate the wonderful features of African fashion. And I would be even more ecstatic if the celebrities wearing them are those of African origin, proud of their heritage and flaunting their culture.   I hope next time when I check the internet and look for Tyra Banks or Halle Berry, I can see them wearing something truly of African inspiration. I may have missed them wearing African fashion, but if you did catch them, please oh please do tell me…
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…
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.

Do you want to know more? You can also reach Afrawear thru Facebook and Twitter.  Make a difference now or the moment passes you by!  I want to know your stories.  I want to hear your thoughts.  Leave a note Sista! 

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