Documenting changing fashion in Africa post-1960
This kanga was made in Mombasa, Kenya from machine-printed cotton in 2017. The design features a green, white, and black circle motif. Kangas are bought in pairs and worn as an outfit with one wrapped as a skirt and one as a top, shawl or head covering. They usually feature a slogan which is used Read More …
This pair of unseparated kangas was made in Mombasa, Kenya from machine-printed cotton in 2017. Traditional kanga designs are inspired by guineafowl, a speckled bird found across sub-Saharan Africa, – ‘kanga’ is the Kiswahili word for guineafoul. Kangas are bought in pairs and worn as an outfit with one wrapped as a skirt and one Read More …
This kanga was made in Kenya from machine printed cotton in the early 1990s. The design features palm trees. Kangas are bought in pairs and worn as an outfit with one wrapped as a skirt and one as a top, shawl or headcovering. They usually feature a slogan which is used to make a statement, Read More …
This kanga was made in Kenya from machine printed cotton in the late 1980s. The design features a map of Africa with Kenya highlighted in green. Traditional kanga designs are inspired by guineafowl, a speckled bird found across sub-Saharan Africa, – ‘kanga’ is the Kiswahili word for guineafoul. Kangas are bought in pairs and worn Read More …
This book by an American author and illustrator who spent time living in East Africa contains coloured illustrations showing different ways to wear kangas, the popular East African textile which is sold as a pair of cloths and often worn as a wrap skirt and a shawl or head covering. Collected as part of the Read More …
This portrait is of Mayembo, a member of the ‘Sapeurs’ sartorial subculture from Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Daniele Tamagni was Italian, and specialised in photographing stylish subcultures around the world. He became famous for his portraits of these Congolese dandies. Colour pigment print, collected as part of the Fashioning Africa project. Creator: Daniele Tamagni Read More …
This fila was worn by Martin Sholagbade in his role as the Father of the Bride to a wedding. A fila is a Yoruba man’s cloth cap, worn with a matching agbada (large robe), and sokoto (trousers.Aso-oke translates as ‘top cloth’ or ‘high status cloth’. It is a formal cloth that is traditionally handwoven by Read More …
This man’s aso-oke agbada was worn by Martin Sholagbade in his role as the Father of the Bride at a wedding in 2009. It is an example of sanyan, a classic style of aso-oke, typically worn by celebrants and close family at weddings. Aso-oke translates as ‘top cloth’ or ‘high status cloth’. It is a Read More …
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 …
This white African lace buba (blouse), iro (wrap) and pele (shawl) was made in Nigeria and worn by Fashioning Africa Collecting Panelist, Edith Ojo, to a friend’s wedding in 2014. A buba and iro is a matching outfit worn by Yoruba women. African lace (actually industrially produced embroidery originally imported from Austria) is very popular Read More …