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 stamping the fabric with wax before dying. Saundra notes that at the time she bought these, the matte finish on the damask fabric was fashionable, but today shimmer finishes are popular. Collected as part of the Fashioning Africa project.
Creator: unknown tailor
Place: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Date: 1971
See more of Saundra Lang’s capsule collection
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