Africa's Top 5 | Elements in African Fashion

AfricasTopFiveThere has always been a thing for exotic fashions, but today, African fashion seems to have people immersed within its’ bosoms.  It’s now, more than ever, a fashion that’s IN fashion; it has evolved to become something more than each individual who chooses to clothe themselves with it.

Designers today in African fashion combine elements that really bring these garments to life.

Let’s explore what these key elements are!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.      Mixed Prints

This can be a very tricky and confusing trend to grasp, even outside African fashion.  This can be difficult because mixing prints can easily be mistaken for mismatching.  Catherine Addai from AFWNY shows how to execute this trend well!

Catherine Addai
Catherine Addai

 

2.     Fun Silhouettes

Other than colors, shapely silhouettes add vivacity to a garment.  Admas Mahdere’s designs show that you don’t have to show much skin to be sexy.

Admas Mahdere
Admas Mahdere

 

3.     Colorful Accessories

African clothing may not always be as vibrant as we picture it to be.  Your dress may have a sleek and subtle design that when paired with the right accessories, can be taken to another level.  On the other hand, you may just want a purse that brings out a certain color in the garment you’re wearing. We love how MAFI, Cinnamon & Pearl, and Catherine Addai execute this notion.

MAFI, Cinnamon & Pearl, and Catherine Addai
MAFI, Cinnamon & Pearl, and Catherine Addai

 

4.     Prints + Solids

Another fashionable way to wear African fabrics is to pair them with solid (uni-colored) tops OR bottoms.  Watch and learn from AFWNY designers Sydney Davies and Farai Simoyi.  

Sydney Davies & Farai Simoyi
Sydney Davies & Farai Simoyi

 

5.     Ruffles OR Wraps

One thing that we adore about African fashion is that most of the traditional designs are utilized today.  Ruffles and wraps have ALWAYS been used for design; whether it’s on the sleeve of an elegant blouse or at the bottom of a mermaid skirt. Look at how Aliakim does it!

Aliakim
Aliakim
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Disrupting Narratives & Creating Communities In Style

Cut off (verb): the act of stopping the movement or supply of something.

Cut off (adverb): the time when something must be done or completed.

Cutoffs (noun): short pants that are made from long pants by cutting off the legs at the knees or higher.

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