Documenting changing fashion in Africa post-1960
This kente cloth was made by an unknown Ewe weaver from the Volta region of Ghana. Generically known as Asidanuvor in the Southern Volta region, this translates as ‘design cloth’ and refers to the intricate motifs and animals woven into the cloth. This earlier example of kente demonstrates fine, quality weaving, when cloths were woven Read More …
This University of Ghana commemorative cloth features the university colours (dark blue and yellow), crest, and motto: ‘integri procedemus’. Commemorative cloths are a popular way to promote organisations, people and events. This example was made from machine printed cotton by Akosombo Textiles Ltd, and purchased from the Univeristy campus bookstore by Brighton Museum as part Read More …
This kente cloth strip was collected from a shop at the Mokola Market in Accra in 2017. The shop sells numerous examples of these single strips and caters mainly for tourists. Kente refers to a textile that is made by weaving coloured cotton and silk strips in intricate geometric patterns, that are sewn together to Read More …
This narrow woven kente strip was collected from a shop at the Mokola Market in Accra. Its design is fairly new, featuring geometric patterns. It is an example of good quality strips made for general market, rather than being commissioned by specific customers. Kente refers to a textile that is made by weaving coloured cotton Read More …
This Asante kente cloth is made from rayon. The design features a stool motif, alluding to chieftancy and power. Kente refers to a textile that is traditionally made by weaving coloured cotton and silk into varied and intricate patterns. The practice was originated by the Asante and Ewe people in Ghana. It was collected from Read More …
This weaver’s kit comprises 17 tools used to weave Ewe and ‘Nigerian type’ kente strips, which are then sewn together to make kente cloth. It was bought from a stall that supplies equipment to local weavers, located in the Agbozume Textile market. Kente refers to a textile that is traditionally made by weaving narrow strips Read More …
This beater with wooden reeds forms part of a weaving loom. It was made by Clement Gah in Kpetoe, Volta Region, Ghana and purchased from him in 2017. Gah sells these beaters to local Ewe weavers, for use in the production of narrow strip woven kente cloth. Collected as part of the Fashioning Africa project. Read More …
This waxprint cotton fabric piece with floral designs was produced by Ghana Textiles Printing (GTP) at their factory in Accra Ghana. It was bought from Beracah-1 Ent, a fabric shop near Makola Market in Accra, after the World Art Curator saw this same design being produced on a visit to the GTP factory in August Read More …
This piece of printed cotton is from the ‘Woodin’ range, produced at the Ghana Textiles Printing (GTP) factory in Accra, Ghana. Woodin is an African fashion brand, inspired by African culture and art. It is only printed on one-side which makes it a cheaper fabric to produce and purchase. Woodin is a popular fabric range Read More …
This T-shirt in support of UNIP was produced in Zambia for the 1991 election, the first multi-party election in the country since 1968. UNIP is an acronym for the United National Independence Party, a socialist party that had governed Zambia from its independence in 1964. The party comprehensively lost the 1991 election to the Movement Read More …