photos: Tom Marshak creative direction: Artsi Ifrach
In the past, African fashion has been viewed through a narrow lens. Some envision bare-breasted women and men in loincloths or sarongs, or simplify it to elaborate beadwork and headscarves. Africa is a massive continent with 54 countries represented, which means there’s a large variation of styles and fashion choices that are influenced by many societies and ethnic groups.
The first forms of clothing Africans wore – like many other societies – were wraparound cloths, bark, grass skirts, and animal hides, and large amounts of skin were exposed because of the warmth of the climate. The rest of the body was often adorned with beautification marks.
When shipping routes opened up between Europe, the East, and Africa during the 15th century, trade increased and items like beads, buttons, and shells were added to garments. In the 19th century, the Dutch adopted the Indonesianstyle of batik patterns on fabric and mechanised it. They traded this bold, colourful, and patterned fabric successfully with Africans and women even began to request specific prints. These prints are still synonymous with African fashion today.