Documenting changing fashion in Africa post-1960
This gele was was bought by the owner in Nigeria in the late 1970s. She remembers wearing it to a party when she was a university student in the early 1980s. It is made from woven blue striped fabric. A gele is an elaborate headwrap worn by Yoruba women as part of a matching outfit, Read More …
This aso-oke fila was worn by Shola Bello, a British Nigerian man, at his wedding. Aso-oke translates as ‘top cloth’ or ‘high status cloth’ and was traditionally narrow strip-woven by men. It is a popular choice for special occasion outfits for Yoruba people in Nigeria and in the UK. While some groom’s outfits are entirely Read More …
These white kitten heel shoes by Karen Millen were worn by Titi Bello at her wedding in 2004. The strappy style and glamourous embellishments complemented Titi’s African lace bridal outfit, which the museum also collected as part of the Fashioning Africa project. Creator: Karen Millen Date: 2000s
This pair of sandals are made with leather uppers and rubber soles. They are a classic style of sandal that feature soles made from recyled car tyres; these smart sandals are often bought by tourists. In Kenya, and many other countries in Africa, the practice of making leather sandals has a very long history. Since Read More …
This wax print hat was produced as a promotional item by ABC textiles in the 1990s. Wax print, also called Dutch wax or Ankara, has a history that is tied up with colonialism. Originally inspired by Javanese batik designs from Dutch colonies in Indonesia, Dutch manufacturers began mass producing printed textiles which mimicked the look Read More …
This Nigerian women’s fashion magazine showcases contemporary styles of aso-oke and African lace outfits. Collected as part of the Fashioning Africa project. Creator: Fashion & Style Magazine Place: Nigeria, West Africa, Africa Date: 2018
This gele forms part of an occassion or bridalwear woman’s outfit. It is made of hand woven aso-oke fabric, tailored and embellished with crystals. It was designed and made by Abiola Aso-oke, a generational aso-oke fashion business in Lagos. It took eight weeks to produce and was woven on a vertical loom by a female Read More …
This poster features a photo montage of contemporary hairstyles. It was collected from the Agbozume textiles market in Ghana by Brighton Museum & Art Gallery for the Fashioning Africa Project. Creator: unknown Place: Ghana, West Africa, Africa Date: 2017
This poster features a photo montage of contemporary hairstyles. It was collected from the Agbozume textiles market in Ghana by Brighton Museum & Art Gallery for the Fashioning Africa Project. Creator: unknown Place: Ghana, West Africa, Africa Date: 2017
Description: This aso-oke gele was made in Nigeria and worn by Fashioning Africa collecting panelist, Edith Ojo, to a friend’s wedding in 2014 with a coordinating outfit made from African lace. Aso-oke, which translates as ‘top cloth’ or ‘high status cloth’ is a formal textile, traditionally woven by men. It is primarily made from cotton Read More …