African styles have evolved over the years due to its rich cultural heritage which transcends its prints and fabrics. Over the years, our African designers and stylists have taken to preserving our rich dress sense, while still imbibing a bit of the western culture.
This goes to prove that there is beauty in diversity, and our cultural heritage as Africans lives on. African styles across the continents has become adopted by other races due to our rich prints and colorful fabrics.
Each African country has their signature fabric that has made their mark in fashion, and are now used internationally and even by foreigners who want to know more about our African root, and way of life.
This article would expressly talk about the African styles of different countries across the African continents, and how these fabrics and prints are being rocked in modern times, for any and every occasion.
1) West African Styles
The west african countries although diverse in languages and cultural values, is filled with rich and colorful fabrics that make each country distinct. From the Kente fabric of Ghana, to the Bogolanfini literally woven from the cotton cloth with a narrow loom and dye. Also we have the Khasia home to the nomadic fulani people, to the Ankara and Adire fabric native to the Nigerian fashion industry.
Here is how these styles native to the West African people, have been designed and worn over the years.
2) East African Styles
East Africa, home to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia, and other beautiful countries, is filled with rich fashion prints and beautiful diversity. The East Africa plays home to the diverse traditional fabric from the Maasai Shuka which is a cotton plaid fabric, to the Kitenge fabric, to Kanga fabric are among the many fabrics worn by men and women of East Africa.
Over the years, these fabric have gone from being the traditional fabric of our African heritage to the modernized and international styles worn by diverse people irrespective of where they are from.
3) South African Styles
The south african people famous for their madiba fabric which is deeply rooted in their history, and other peculiar fabric as well. They are also famous for their Shweshwe fabric which is printed dyed cotton fabric widely used for the traditional clothing in this part of Africa.
These prints can be used to make lovely and modernized style to showcase your roots while making you stunning.
4) North Africa
This set of countries are known for their Zerhivas called knotted pile carpets. This fabric strongly suggest that the North African people have origins as well as functional pieces in the Middle East. The fabric pattern, diamond shape, and the triangle all bear resemblance to the middle east mode of dressing.
Africa is not just blessed with rich skin color, diverse people and languages, natural resources, but also blessed with deep cultural heritage and lovely fabrics to represent our fashion sense.
Our diversity especially in fashion, with its colorful fabric would make you stay connected to your roots, while making you stand out to that event.
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