African Fashion Went Global: What is the style all about?
What fashion speaks visually the most, though all kinds of interesting patterns and colours? African fashion is for sure one of them, highlighting the rich cultural heritage in modern settings, which is why it has gone viral, with leading designers inspired by this interesting style. African fashion has captured worldwide attention, becoming a global trend.
African fashion is much more about creating clothing articles, as this style also tells a story and highlights how far this culture has evolved. Additionally, African culture highlights the importance of diversity and how well it can blend with other cultures worldwide. Africa is home to an immense continent, which includes many countries that have brought unique textiles and styles. Even though the fashion industry is facing many crises, including the impact of fast fashion, African style has emerged and become a valuable part of individuals’ wardrobes worldwide.
In this article, we will explore more interesting information about African fashion. Ready to explore more? Let’s take a journey through the fascinating world of African fashion.
How did traditional African fabrics go viral?
Many African fabrics have surged in popularity and have become the foundation for a range of clothing. The African fabric has a vibrant, colourful design and looks fantastic in the fashion landscape, resulting in outstanding skirts, tops, and dresses. Here are some of the most common African fabrics, which are so popular today.
Wax-printed fabric
The wax-printed fabric is one of the most important pieces of African identity and has served as a great source of inspiration for designers. Wax fabrics originated in the 19th century and were inspired by batik fabrics worn in the former Dutch East Indies. At first, these fabrics were sold only in the markets of the Dutch East Indies, but they didn’t sell well there. However, they attracted the attention of people from West Africa, and then they became popular in other regions of African countries.
This is why, in the end, these African fabrics have become a statement and a symbol of African culture as a whole. They didn’t stop at attracting only African people’s attention, and now they benefit from global popularity. So, this fabric is used to create clothing articles and accessories, such as a headwrap or a scarf. You can recognize this pattern for its bright colours and geometric patterns.
Le bazin
Bazin, also known as damask, is another very popular African fabric. In the traditional setting, this fabric was only used for special occasions, which is why it was associated with luxury and elegance. This material is used to create both traditional and modern clothing items. So, you will see this fabric used in both bridal dresses and evening gowns. This material has emerged as a current fashion trend, yet it still pays homage to its rich heritage.
The role of the vibrant colours and patterns
The colours and patterns of African culture are also an essential reason this style has become so popular. The most common patterns in African culture are geometric shapes. What’s more, each model has an interesting symbolic meaning and spiritual and cultural significance. These patterns carry a story that has contributed to their growing interest among others. It is no wonder that so many designers are now using these patterns to create amazing accessories and clothing items, such as t-shirts, jackets, and more.
Colours are bright, and you will mostly find yellow, red, and blue, which are synonymous with African culture. Each of these colours has a symbolic meaning and is associated with celebration, joy, and vitality.
African fashion has started to be present on the international stage
African fashion is not limited to African borders; it has gone global. This is why these garments have stolen the spotlight on international stages, from New York to London. In this way, African designers could expand their offerings into new markets and present their collections, highlighting the essence of African culture to global audiences. The fact that more designers are inspired by African culture to create masterpieces shows that African culture has significant potential to become present in other regions as well.
Plus, not only are regular people interested in these prints, but celebrities have also worn them at significant events. Some of these celebrities are Naomi Campbell or Beyoncé. They played a role in further popularizing African garments.
African-inspired clothing articles are more accessible right now with online stores and social media
African fashion also went global thanks to technology. For instance, now many African designers are selling African-inspired clothing items on their online stores, which has sparked a lot of interest in buying amazing pieces. Plus, many websites pay homage to their amazing culture, where you can buy both fashion items and other interesting pieces from Africa, like net sponges or waist beads.
Social media also has a great merit in making African fashion more popular. There were many trends centred on African culture on Instagram and TikTok, further promoting African fashion. Plus, if a post goes viral, the products or people promoting African fashion can attract even larger audiences.
African fashion is emerging everywhere
African fashion is the perfect blend of showcasing this culture’s tradition and heritage and placing it in a modern setting. African fabrics have a fascinating history and are reshaping African fashion. Even though this fashion first attracted only the attention of people from Africa, that is no longer the case, and this style has taken the world by storm. African fashion is trending right now, but this style is here to stay, and does not represent just another fleeting trend. This occurs because African culture is a statement of the identity of people from this region, and showcases their identity and creativity.
