African attires rule the world. Do you agree?

Famous designers are creating unique attires from African fabrics and preserving their authenticity through high quality designs and sewing. What is more, the attires are available and affordable, writes JANICE NKOLI IFEME.  

An Africa, clothes hold a special place. Besides being items of fashion, they also denote class. Over the years, African designs have gained a prominent place world wide. Many labels now look up to them for inspiration.

In Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Guinea, men, women and children clothes made from African prints, aso-oke (hand-woven), brocade, French lace, lace caftan, ankara, damask and kente, among other African fabrics can befound. 

Local fabrics are popular and can be seen in several stores and markets in almost every locality. Some of the markets are in Balogun and Gutter in Lagos Island, Itoku in Abeokuta, Gbagi in Ibadan.

Many clothing stores such as Dupsie’s African Clothing, Remi Lagos, Oyeog and African Attire’s Clothing are dedicated to providing African clothes at affordable prices. They also provide accessories to go with them. 

The Nation Shopping met Mrs Bridget Okereke buying fabrics at the Balogun Market. She said: “After graduating from my fashion and designing school, I started sewing  clothes for many of my relatives. Among them are my sister and uncle who live in London. When I informed them that I was coming to London two years ago, they told me to buy nice African designs and make some clothes for them. I already had their measurements. 

“Since time was not on my side, I travelled with my sewing machine. Having sewn for them, they introduced me to some of their friends and that was how I started a clothing store in London. So from time to time, I come to Nigeria, buy as many fabrics as I could and take back to London to sell. I can tell you that they are in high demand over there. I have also started buying fabrics from other African countries.”

A dealer in African fabrics, Mrs Titilayo Oluwakemi, whose shop is located at the Balogun Market, said: “Local fabrics are more appreciated these days. Ankara fabric has gained new strength, not only in the exotic designs, it has been made adaptable to most cosmopolitan designs. There is no end to how fabrics could be used. You could use it for any style-gown, skirt and blouse, top, trousers, iro and buba. Men also have various styles to choose from. They display the Africa in us. What is more, it is durable and affordable. They come mostly in six yards”.

According to her, some of the common textiles are Nigerian prints, Hollandais, London wax, Hollywood woodin, Afrique woodin, Akosombo wax, from Ghana and Java Gold among others.

Mrs Joy Uranta, commented on the issue of buying substandard fabrics. “Some of those fabrics are substandard. I had fallen prey to it once and I know that same could be happening to many.” She had a piece of advice for buyers: “If you do not know the fabrics very well, go with someone who understands them. Also, ask questions before you buy. Most of the time, the sellers would show you the fake as well as the original. They are always willing to reduce price from the fake,” she said.

African clothing is the traditional colourful and stylish clothing worn by the black peoples of Africa. In some instances, these traditional garments have been replaced by western clothing introduced by European colonialists.

In Northeastern Africa, particularly in Egypt, styles of traditional dress have been influenced by Middle Eastern culture; this can be exemplified by the simply embroidered Jellabiya, which are similarly worn in the Gulf States. 

The Northwest Africans in contrast, were less influenced by foreign elements and remained more in antiquity. The Djellaba (worn in Northwest Africa) shares similar properties with the Grand boubou, the Dashiki, and the Senegalese kaftan. 

In East Africa, the Kanzu is the traditional dress worn by Swahili speaking men. Women wear the Kanga and the Gomesi.

South Africa is known for the Madiba shirt, whereas, Zimbabwe is known for the Safari shirt. 

In the Horn of Africa, the attire varies from country to country. In Ethiopia, men wear the Ethiopian dashiki and women wear the Ethiopian coffee dress. In Somalia, men wear the khameez with a small cap called a koofiyad.

In Nigeria, the aso-oke, ankara, adire and George material won mostly by people from the Eastern part of the country are richly embellished for a great appeal. For instance, the Ankara fabric is stylishly designed with rich lace materials and accessories to match and often designed with a fusion of western and African pattern.   

They are popular gifts at weddings, birthdays and other milestones.

Many earn a good living by creating African designs. Miss Bridget Oronya, fondly called Bibi, a young and energetic Nigerian artist, combines various styles to create designs that are uniquely African. She works with oil and glue on canvas or with ink and every material that fits her creative boost. What makes them special is that they portray both traditional and modern African style in a colourful and relaxing manner.