Dirndl a L'Africaine

Sisters Marie Darouiche and Rahmee Wetterich have taken their diverse cultural background, German and Cameroonian, and used it as the inspiration for their clothing line Dirndl á L'Africaine. Their collection is based around taking the silhouette of the dirndl, a traditional German dress worn in Bavaria, and giving it a colorful makeover by using African print fabric. 


For more information visit dirndlalafricaine.com

Images: Florian Harrer

This Week's Most Wanted

Bantu printed triangle bikini, $60  outnet.com

Bantu is a swimwear brand inspired by and manufactured in Africa. Its founder, Yodit Eklund, hopes that the brand's swimwear  that features bright traditional  prints will generate interest in both the continent's undiscovered surf culture, as well as Africa's manufacturing industry. For more information visit bantuwax.com

This Week's Most Wanted

Forwood shoe, $90, aldoshoes.com

Inspiration: Africa

Global Citizen Teen Vogue

Global Citizen Teen Vogue

Global Citizen Teen Vogue

Dimanche a Bamako Mixte Magazine

Dimanche a Bamako Mixte Magazine

Gossip Girls Pride Magazine

Gossip Girls Pride Magazine

Queen of the Night  Zink Magazine

Queen of the Night Zink Magazine

Smarteez

Photo: Chris Saunders

It was a few months ago that I became really interested in the youth culture of South Africa, which resulted in my post on street fashion in Johannesburg . My curiosity lead me to a group of renegade South African fashionistos known as the Smarteez (pictured above and below). The four DIY fashion designers, Kepi, Sibu, Floyd and Thabo, pride themselves on having no restraints, which means that in addition to experimenting with colors and prints, they also use unexpected materials, such as curtains and tablecloths.  

Another thing interesting about the Smarteez, they refer to themselves as a design collective; and their focus is on group collaboration, rather than working independently. The Smarteez, aptly named as their unapologetically exuberant style has made them international indie fashion darlings, and will hopefully foster a sustained interest in up-and-coming African fashion labels.

Photo:  Nontsikelelo Veleko

Photo: Chris Saunders

Photo: Chris Saunders

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

What's Next in Fashion

Vogue Africa

Photographer Mario Epanya's proposal to create a Vogue Africa edition has been officially declined by Condé Nast. Epanya had been campaigning for several months and even created mock-ups of possible magazine covers, but unfortunately it was not enough to convince Condé Nast to open an African outpost.  In response to this, several bloggers have commented that the decision has racist undertones. This seems like a strong accusation considering that Vogue Italia published  The Black Issue in 2008 and has subsequently devoted a section of their site to black stylemakers called Vogue Black.

The decision not to greenlight Vogue Africa might have more to do with the fact that Africa is a continent rife with political strife and low consumer spending power. China, with a population greater than all of Africa, did not launch its own edition of Vogue until 2005. Although it would be wonderful to see a new edition of Vogue that focuses on Africa, we should not assume that Condé Nast is not considering this as a future possibility. Also, unless visits to Vogue Black and similar sites increase, it it is difficult to make a case for the success of a large-scale glossy devoted solely to African fashion. It is definitely time to see more diversity of not just color, but also culture in fashion magazines and as readers and creators of fashion content, we do not have to wait for Vogue Africa in order to make that a reality.

See more of the proposed Vogue Africa covers here

All images: Mario Epanya

Fashion from the Streets of Johannesburg

All images: Nontsikelelo Veleko

All Eyes on Africa

It's hard to say if the World Cup in South Africa is having an influence on fashion, but designers are definitely looking to Africa for inspiration.

Missoni Resort '11 style.com

Zulu Royalty from eshowe.com

Thakoon Resort '11

Jean-Paul Gaultier Fall '10 style.com

Some Like It Hot: Vlisco Spring Collection

Photos: Vlisco

Vlisco Transitions from Textile to Clothing

Vlisco: Beautiful African Wax Fabrics

 

In case you've ever wondered where the distinct beautifully-patterned fabrics associated with Africa are produced, their origins can be found in a factory in the quiet suburbs of Holland. Vlisco has been designing and manufacturing the brightly-colored textiles for nearly two hundred years, but has recently decided to take a more modern approach to its fabrics. The company has become more daring with its textile designs and color palettes, and beginning this year is working with African tailors to develop a line of clothing. 

Take a look at Vlisco's fresh approach to African fashion:

The Return of the Muse: Shingai Shoniwa

There has been something missing from fashion for quite some time. I couldn't quite put my finger on it until I saw Shingai Shoniwa, lead singer of the Noisettes, in a photograph wearing a hot pink vintage bolero and a pair of orange jean shorts a few months ago, an odd combination and yet, she made it work. It was then that it occurred to me what fashion needs more of- individuality. If you look at photos of Shigai she is an absolute individual, and unafraid to take chances: she wears everything from established designers like Vivienne Westwood and Matthew Williamson, to newbies like David Koma, Ana Sekularac and Georgina Hardinge. She also mixes in vintage and afro-centric pieces into her wardrobe, and is unabashed about being photographed twice in the same piece- daring indeed.

I think back to great style mavens like Jackie O or Audrey Hepburn and wonder what this generation's equivalent might be. I know that it's not possible for everyone to create their own interesting style of dress, but with the availability of new trend information from street fashion blogs, and access to independent designers on site like Etsy, we certainly have the opportunity to express ourselves with our clothing.

What do you think- in an age of stylists who carefully curate celebrity images and a sea of trends has the sense of individuality in fashion been lost? 

GET SOME SHINGAI-INSPIRED STYLE

Boxing Kitten

 Vintage-inspired silhouettes made from African fabrics.

Market Publique

Well-edited selection of vintage clothing and accessories- think eBay without all the junk.

Elizabeth Cole Jewelry 

Unique costume jewelry.

The Noisettes 'Wild Young Hearts' from Philip Clyde-Smith on Vimeo.

A New Wave of Afrocentrism in World Style

Suno Fall 2010

warm fall colors   a mix of ethnic prints  

all about the mini dress

 

photos: Thomas Iannacconne (Women's Wear Daily)