Documenting changing fashion in Africa post-1960
These trousers belonged to Saundra Lang, an African American fashion enthusiast who spent time in West Africa from the 1970s onwards. Saundra bought these trousers during her first trip to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in 1971, from a local tailor. The pattern represents cowrie shells as well as abstract geometric designs. The design was created by Read More …
This T shirt was produced to celebrate South Sudan Independence Day on July 9th 2011. It features John Garang de Mabior, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army during the second Sudanese civil war. He was influential in the movement which led to the founding of South Sudan but did not live to see it, Read More …
This circle cape known as ‘Kobo Ea Bohali’ or ‘Kobo’, was created by Thabo Makhetha, a luxury South African womenswear label established in 2009 by designer Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana. The cape is made from a traditional woolen Basotho blanket made by Aranda Textiles Mill, based near Johannesburg. Coats and capes made from these Basotho blankets form Read More …
This T shirt was produced for a South African presidential election. These were worn by supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) party and their candidate Thabo Mbeki. Mbeki became South Africa’s second black head of state in 1999, preceded by Nelson Mandela. It belonged to Dr. Catherine Elliot Weinberg, a UK-based South African who Read More …
This skirt is made from shweshwe fabric, printed by da Gama and tailored by ‘Alfalfa’ clothing label. Shweshwe is a printed cotton fabric that is so ubiquitous in southern Africa that it has been called the denim of the region. The skirt belonged to Dr. Catherine Elliot Weinberg, an African heritage researcher. She is a Read More …
This cardigan was made by the South African knitwear brand Maxhosa by Laduma, founded by designer Laduma Ngxokolo. This garment is part of the brand’s Apropriyeyshin spring/summer 2017 collection. Laduma was taught to knit by his mother in his teens, and founded Maxhosa when he was just 24. To produce high quality knitwear and support Read More …
This wax print shirt was given to the donor as a gift by his hosts when visiting the University of Ghana. The design is an example of traditional Indonesian influenced wax print. Also called Dutch wax or Ankara, wax print has a history that is tied up with colonialism. Originally inspired by Javanese batik designs Read More …
A three piece mens occassion wear outfit, consisting of a large agbada or boubou gown, undershirt and trousers made from damask satin or bazin riche fabric. The owner came from a Muslim family and the Islamic influence of this outfit can be seen not only in the shape of the gown, but also in the Read More …
This T shirt was produced for the ‘Salt March’ that took place in Durban in 2005. It pays tribute to three non-violent protest movements: the 85th anniversary of the original Salt March led by Mahatma Ghandhi in 1930, instrumental to ending the British Empire in India, and the 50th anniversary of South Africa’s Freedom Charter Read More …
This T shirt was produced to celebrate the first Soweto Marathon that took place in 1993, a politically momentous time in South African history when the apartheid system was ending. This was the first marathon to take place in a township and it has now been running for 27 years. This type of T shirt Read More …