R6129/8 Wax Print Blouse and Skirt

Women’s wax print outfit by Angybell, (Museum Accession Number R6129/8)

This outfit, which also includes a matching belt and headwrap, belonged to Saundra Lang, an African American woman who has regularly visited West Africa since the 1970s. The blouse features hand-stitched smocking around the neckline which gives it a sculptural, three dimensional shape. Saundra recalls:

“I love this outfit. I was walking in the Plateau(downtown section of Abidjan) on Rue de Commerce (street with many fabric shops) when I saw this dress in the window at the Woodin Store. It was love at first sight. I went in the store and inquired if the dress was for sale. Not only was it for sale, it was was my size. I was so happy to have this dress. When I returned home and wore it for special occasions, I received so many compliments and I was always proud to say it was made in Africa.”

Collected as part of the Fashioning Africa project.

Creator: Angybell

Place: Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa, Africa

Date: 1985

See more of Saundra Lang’s capsule collection

women's flared trousers in an indigo resist dyed fabric
These trousers belonged to Saundra Lang, an African American fashion enthusiast who spent time in West Africa from the 1970s Read more
Orange and white tie dye kaftan
This woman's boubou gown was made by Jean Kablan, a popular designer based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in the 1970s. Read more
women's white boubou gown and skirt, with colourful embroidery at the collar
This woman's boubou style top and skirt outfit belonged to Saundra Lang, an African American collector and fashion enthusiast. Saundra Read more