Spellbound- The Rise and Rise of the African Print
World, hold on for it seems the print has charmed its way into the limelight! It waltzed from catwalks into look books and finally trickling down to the high streets, waiting for the wandering innocuous eye to snap it up. And this is a revival so timely it can only be called genial, like a breath of fresh air just in time for a spring awakening. Where florals may seem obvious and graphics tried and tested, the print is a bold and dashing fit for damsels in fashion distress. Batik, Ikat, Ankara, and Khanga too, whatever your choice, each weaves a wave of wonder, playing their part in a rather dashing rise of all things Africana.
(l) Louis Vuitton – (r) Rodarte
With every fashion fairy tale, comes an element of surprise. What was once considered tribal, and merely afrocentric, is now deemed avant-garde and luxe, embraced wholly by a number of fashion heavyweights comes as an unexpected turn. Louis Vuitton’s spring ‘09 collection may have paved the way- its heavy use of bold and animal prints seducing the masses and causing a fashion frenzy- but many have since caught on, passing on the torch as it were, from designer to designer. Dries van Noten’s Ready to Wear Spring ‘10 Collection for one, a peek-a-boo game of prints and prints aplenty, seemed to be a true testament of a beckoning love affair. Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Kenzo, and Tibi too; another handful of designers in a seemingly bottomless pit, charmed to no end by the magic of the African print.
Then there it was the turn of fashion front runner Rodarte shaping its entire Spring 10 collection on primitivism alone. Known always for their ingenuity and fashion forward ways, the sisters Mulleavy raised the bar to new heights embracing tribalism in attempt to redefining ethnicity. Models rocked the runway in their knit and embellished designs resembling Ikat and Batik. Natural fabrics were slung nonchalantly over perfectly sculpted shoulders, wrapped and wrapped again to cinch already toned waists—and the highlight of my entertainment—their bodies covered with tattoos native to West African tribes.
And for where print is not in place this season, Africa is definitely on the mind. ASOS.com (my favourite one-stop shop) recently set up a ‘platform dedicated to collections with a story to tell,’ ASOS Green Room. And in this emerald room you will find: optical, graphic, whitewashed or untouched, prints abound from ASOS Africa and Fairtrade to People Tree and Made. As well as household regulars French Connection, Whistles and Motel, each with a separate take on prints.
(l) Diane von Furstenberg – (r) Asos
For London based designer Maame Baryeh of MA:LE design who is known for the embrace of the bold and unexpected , the sudden rise in popularity of the print is anything but expected: “This is where the true spirit of Africa really comes to life through the passion of the designers and the way they translate this into garments which speak to its wearer. Everyone is now keener than ever to embrace the rich and vibrant culture that emanates so effortlessly from Africa, from the textures of the natural cloths to the prints and colours that appear so boldly and combine effortlessly. “
What more to say than it’s time to recline and watch in some amazement as the world falls madly and deeply in love with all things African. And this is a love that is likely to last.
