African Fashions

Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s most famous freedom fighter also had a reputation of sharp dresser will see people in US soon but clothes inspired by him.

A Dallas based distributor naming itself as Company b says that its 46664 clothing line was named after the prison number assigned to Nelson Mandela and will be in stores for the holiday season. According to CEO Aaron Patton “there’s a global brand which is relevant in Atlanta as it’s in Johannesburg.” Designers have now captured and integrated the best of South African fashion style and global trend.

The company signed a deal with Nelson Mandela Foundation to become exclusive distributor of the 46664 Fashion both in the US and Canada. 10% of the sales will go to the foundation which unveiled the clothing line last year in Nelsons home country. The foundation features many dazzling garments with unique South African touch including the traditional patterned shirts (shweshwe). 

Patton says that US has a huge interest in color and prints, “an intelligent, preppy and yet progressive style among millennial generation”

The first profit margin of the already selling 46664 clothing for everyone; men, women and children were meant to finance libraries in the rural provinces of South Africa. Patton explained that the most of the products is sources and manufactures in South Africa so as to raise the local fashion industry and create employment opportunities.

While Company b is yet to sign the deal with any retailers, Patton has hopes for lots of interest. He has expectations that 46664 will be sold in higher-end departmental stores and some of the independent retailers. Shoppers are also waiting till holidays when they will be able to buy items for the summer, which will be Mandela’s’ 94^th birthday on 18^th July.  This also sounds as good news for the African fashion industry to get some marketing on the international scène, where it has been doing well in the recent times.

Could there be any difference in the fashion of the different regions of Africa?  Or do they meet in the middle and manage to be similar in many ways? Oftentimes when we see magazines, African fashion can either be demonstrated as South African Fashion, West African fashion, and so forth. So in order to answer my insatiable inquisitiveness, I have to check around and see if I can find any distinct differentiation.  Hmnnn, let’s see.  How should we start? First, we have to be familiar with the facets in each region and see if it rings a bell.  Let’s start from there and see where it leads us.

South Africa in itself is the 25^th largest country in the world with a rich diversity in culture, arts, and languages.  It is not only a haven for surfers, safari trails, picturesque landscapes and wine connoisseurs; it has emerged to become a fashion metropolis.  South African fashion is inspired by the style of the women all over town.  Their fashion includes vibrant and upbeat accessories made of intertwined beads and colorful fabrics in bold geometric patterns and deep colors.  This fashion has taken the catwalks and magazines quite surprisingly over the years.

North Africa includes the seven countries of Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara.  This region has been historically and ecologically separated by the rest of Africa by the arid sands of the Sahara.  North African fashion is a fusion of the traditional Sudanese and Egyptian clothing ranging from the dainty head gear to elaborate dresses.  Kaftans with intricate embroideries and detailed patterns are the staple in Morocco.  The splendor of their fashion has influenced many designers to date.

East Africa is home to 19 territories: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles, Réunion and Mayotte.  East African fashion is all about quality, luxury, and exquisite tailoring as well as exuberance in colors and shapes.  Most of the statement and detailed necklaces we see nowadays are strongly influenced by the Kenyan and Tanzanian fashion.  East Africa is also known as a fashion jungle of animal prints, spots and stripes.  Imagine how designers can work wonders out of Zebra’s stripes, wildebeest’s legs, giraffe’s tail, hyena spots, or a buffalo’s horns!

West Africa comprises of 16 countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.  The famous bògòlanfini or bogolan ("mud cloth") fabric is a hand-made product of Malian cultural identity.  Kente fashion showcases the enviable Ghanaian culture and is widely known globally.

All in all, African fashion is a beautiful concoction of the varied styles of the different regions of Mother Africa.  No one is above the rest.  Every African piece is a chef-d'oeuvre that every African should be proud of.

Do you have an African piece and you want to tell the world about it? Share your story and will be happy to take you to a face-off!  For more features on African fashion check also Facebook and Twitter.