The African fashion industry and literacy has come a long way ever since Africa commenced in nurturing its development. Lots of artists and fashion experts are exploring the African attires, fabrics and the different designs which fit the African Physique. Some popular African designs include:
Dashikis:
This colorful and unique garment that covers the upper part of the body.
Boubou :
A boubou is a type of Dashiki that is generally worn with matching pants and a long robe that covers the outfit.
Kente, a Modern handwoven Yoruban patterned fabric used to tailor different African designs.
Importance of African Clothing.
Garments were worn to mark the status of an individual or to mark a special ritual or passage of time as people moved from one state to another. Young girls or maidens started with just a skirt or apron while married women wore full body wraps and cloaks as statement pieces to showcase their status.
The Colourful Africa Clothing
Many people across the globe ask why African clothes are so rich in colour?.This ist to showcase the diversity in mother natures‘ colors. Nature in Africa is vibrant and upbeat in ist people have adopted this color diversity into their clothing,traditional heritage and as a way of acknowledging God abundance in color variety. It’s more than just a fashion statement. Designers and Tailors don’t make these clothes simply for appearances‘ sake; each colour, texture, shape and ornaments have a very symbolic meaning or purpose, depending on the ethnicity or traditional setting being represented.
Clothes worn in different regions of Africa:
East Africa the Kanzu -is the traditional dress worn by men in the coastal region. It’s not unusual to spot men in the humid heat at the coastal region in a Kanzu whilst Women adorn Kangas and or Deera.s. ( A long shift Dress).
In sub-saharan Africa,distinctive shirts are worn, that would resemble a long-like dress shirt. For instance, South Africa is known for the Madiba shirt, whereas Zimbabwe is known for the safari shirt
Article by Caroline Atieno