Documenting changing fashion in Africa post-1960
This is a Kanga from Kenya, East Africa, made from machine-printed cotton in the 1980s. The design features blue and yellow gourds and a yellow leaf motif. The centre panel depicts a kora – a harp-like stringed instrument from Western Africa. Kangas are bought in pairs and worn as an outfit with one wrapped as Read More …
This is a Kanga from Kenya, East Africa, made from machine-printed cotton in the 1980s. The design features red scallops, dove motifs, and the ‘Venus’ (female) symbol. 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 Read More …
This is a Kanga from Kenya, East Africa, made from machine-printed cotton in the 1980s. The design features red scallops, dove motifs, and the ‘Venus’ (female) symbol. 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 Read More …
This is one of a pair of Kangas from Kenya, East Africa, made from machine-printed cotton in the 1980s. The design features red and green flowers, and its central motif is an encircled map of Africa. The red, green and black spots on this design are inspired by guineafowl, a speckled bird found across sub-Saharan Read More …
This is one of a pair of Kangas from Kenya, East Africa, made from machine-printed cotton in the 1980s. The design features a blue and yellow floral motif. 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 Read More …
This is one of a pair of Kangas from Kenya, East Africa, made from machine-printed cotton in the 1980s. The design features indigo spots and a green and yellow feather-like motif. Traditional kanga designs are inspired by guineafowl, a speckled bird found across sub-Saharan Africa, – ‘kanga’ is the Kiswahili word for guineafoul. Kangas are Read More …
Description: This is a strip of aso-oke fabric. Aso-oke translates as ‘top cloth’ or ‘high status cloth’. It is a formal cloth that is traditionally handwoven by the men of southwestern Nigeria using a narrow strip loom. It is primarily made from silk and cotton and comes in thin strips that are then sewn together. Read More …
Description: This is a piece of aso-oke fabric. Aso-oke translates as ‘top cloth’ or ‘high status cloth’. It is a formal cloth that is traditionally handwoven by the men of southwestern Nigeria. It is primarily made from silk and cotton and is woven in narrow strips that are then sewn together. Aso-oke remains poplular with Read More …
This aso-oke strip is from a wedding attendee’s outfit worn in 2014. Aso-oke translates as ‘top cloth’ or ‘high status cloth’. It is a formal cloth that is traditionally handwoven by the men of southwestern Nigeria using a narrow strip loom. It is primarily made from silk and cotton and comes in narrow strips that Read More …