Lets have a chat about African Print. I really love the fabric and am interested in the continent as a whole. I use this fabric a lot. Authentic African print is 100% cotton but due to its expensive price, knock-offs have been made that are normally 100% polyester. So be sure to read the fabric content as most African print sold in the states is the polyester variety. The polyester variety is used if not more often than the cotton due to its pricing. Vlisco is a well known company that sells African prints. I have recently read that they are trying to partner more with African designers to I "assume" enhance their marketing to there target populace which of course would be their African buyers. I am excited to see the partnership and creations.
I normally buy my prints from Here and another online store called AfricanPremier which is no longer in business. More recently I have been purchasing from amazon. A couple of years ago it was really hard for me to locate these prints. I'm happy to see there are more resources available especially for african print in different fabrics such as chiffon and knit.
After reading female Monarchs and Merchants I learned about the Mama Benz's of Africa. These are business women( textile wholesalers) who excel at selling African print. They do so well they are able to buy a Benz. Often cutting out the middle man and purchasing fabric directly so that they can sell at a cheaper price. The purchasing is usually through Chinese textile manufacturing. One notable woman is Mama Benz Lawson you can read more about her Here. The business acumen of these women is very inspiring. The book also goes into African women owning businesses across the continent. Not a top read for me but definitely gained some insight from it.
Although intended for Indonesians, it became the fabric that is distinctly African. What I like a lot is that the markings on the fabric sometimes tell a story. According to Adaku Parker you have Ripple Effect,
represent a stone being tossed into water creating a ripple effect. Irons, is a middle class status symbol, one can also find other electronic motifs computers etc
. Candelbra and light bulbs
the design style is circa 1950's and a status symbol for the wealthy, Animals, pretty self explanatory and Adinkra, these feature Adinkra symbols
I am crazy about Adinkra symbology. Of course this is not all the patterns that the fabric holds.
These are the resources used for this information.
Adaku Parker-Sewing with African wax and print fabric. You can check out her blog Here
Female Monarchs and Merchants-Nwando Achebe
African Textiles today-Chris Springs, is simply a wonderful book that goes over African fabric, fashions and some of the meanings behind both. I adore this book and have learned so much.
SewVintageBunny
