What To Look For In African Designs

You will find that African designs define African fashion and that they are quite different from what other people use in other parts of the world. Moreover, they are what makes African fashion different from the rest of the world. Instead of using natural and synthetic products, African designers use natural products for most of their accessories and clothing.

African people love the play of colours, so they include many colours in their wardrobe. Not everybody can use loud, yet exquisite colours and portray them effectively the way Africans can. Most of their clothes are made of 100% cotton because the climate there demands it. You will see that cotton looks alive once African fashions designers are done with it.

Traditional African designs were mostly prints because the ancient textile makers did not have the modern equipment of today. They used natural dye, so it was good for the skin and lasted long on the clothes too. They had access to unique varieties of mineral peats and even used certain kinds of soil for their designs. You will be surprised at the amazing play of colours that originated on African soil. With the correct use of dyes and soils, dressmakers came up with beautiful hues such as deep red, pepper red, indigo and saffron. They embed many stones and shells into their clothes and incorporate them so beautifully that everything looks meaningful and appropriate. Stones and shells were used in ancient times and they are major items in African fashion even today.

Image courtesy:NYTimes & Vlisco

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