Documenting changing fashion in Africa post-1960
This shirt was bought by the Kenyan owner Casbery Omurunga as a plain black button down shirt. He had his tailor add dashiki fabric to the front, shoulders and cuffs, and wore the finished shirt to his nephew’s baptism. Dashiki, called kitenge in Kenya, is a distinctive colourful textile which is popular in East and Read More …
This outfit was made by Joma Wellings-Longmore, who wore it as a guest to a wedding in the 1990s. The look included a pink mesh headwrap which matches the skirt (collected but not pictured). Joma spoke to collecting panel member Edith Ojo about the inspirations behind the outfit. Edith explains: ‘It is a bold statement Read More …
This Yoruba groom’s outfit was worn by Shola Bello at his wedding. He wore white to match with his bride, Titi, whose outfit was also collected by the Museum. This intricately woven fabric was bought and made in Lagos, Nigeria, where it is known locally as Guinea Brocade. It was made by a tailor who Read More …
This African lace outfit was worn by Titi Bello, a British Nigerian bride. So called African lace is an embroidered fabric that originates from Austria and is popular across West Africa. Titi explained why she chose this look for her wedding (as told to Collecting Panel member Edith Ojo): ‘The fabric was bought in Austria Read More …
This suit was made for writer Akila Monika Richards by a Ghanaian seamstress based in the UK. She describes the suit and what it meant to her: ‘After my son was born in 1986 and settling into our new family It became increasingly important to connect with my West African heritage. Living in London at Read More …
This outfit includes a tweed suit, red felt hat and brown shoes, styled and worn by Saidi Kanda, Brighton based musician and Sapeur. For Saidi, being a Sapeur means he is devoted to his clothes and sartorial expression. His love of clothes comes from his family, particularly his grandmother, who inspired him to design and Read More …
This vintage kaftan previously belonged to a wealthy American tourist who bought it while on safari in Kenya in the 1980s. It was produced by African Heritage Ltd, a gallery co-founded by former vice-president of Kenya, Joseph Murumbi, his wife Sheila, and American Alan Donovan. The gallery, which expanded from a shop to a huge Read More …
This T shirt was produced to commemorate the deaths of two prominent Kenyan activitsts and martyrs. Activitists such as Zarina Patel and Zahid Rajan, who the Museum acquired this T shirt from, produced and wore these ‘protest’ or ‘struggle’ T shirts as a form of resistance and commemoration. They have amassed a collection of protest Read More …
This T shirt was created to promote political change in Kenya and demand a return to a democracy. Inspired by the events in South Africa at the time, the T shirt depicts Nelson and Winnie Mandela, and celebrates Mandela’s release from prison and the African National Congress Party (ANC). Underground activitists such as Zarina Patel Read More …
This men’s gbariye short tunic is made from aso-oke cloth. Aso-oke is narrow strip cloth woven by Yoruba men, and this type of cloth and tunic has a long and enduring history. It is similar in style and shape to garments like the batakari tunic worn in Ghana. The aso-oke is a classic design that Read More …