African fashion by African designers
The proudly African renaissance is upon us.
Designers have begun looking around and
within for inspiration. Bongiwe Walaza
can be named the current South African
whiz kid in this regard. The Eastern Cape
native articulates her inspiration as being
“where she comes from, (Mqanduli, near
Mthatha) as well as everything happening
around her now”.
BY WEARING
C LOT H E S W E
“ S U B C O N S C I O U S LY
INTERPRET THE
W E I G H T, T E X T U R E
A N D STO RY O F A
P I E C E O F C L O T H .”
She joins a host of labels whose business
success has been tumultuous, from the Sun
Goddess’ to iGugulam and Shifting Sands.
These designers challenge Duro Olowu’s
notion, “a lot of African designers are not
making things that come from the heart”
seeing as they continue to add a modern
twist to the traditionally African patterns
and textiles they’re fond of.
The achievements of these labels are a
testament to the desire of the African
people to wear clothes that speak to their
own culture. This has led; at least among
the 'affluent black middle class', to the
resurgence of traditional weddings.
So, will the trend of celebrating the
importance of traditional weddings have
any social impact?
Perhaps expecting a cultural revolution
is idealistic. But if one lends 5 minutes
of thought to their culture, as they wrap
themselves in their God’s Grace Wedding
creation, we can safely say that we’re
moving in the right direction. For now, a
worthwhile consolation is the effect that
this trend has had on the confidence and
economy of African fashion.
By Nobusi Maqubela
115
IMBO/ ISSUE 32/ '14