AFRICAN FASHION DESIGN

For a long time, African fashion has been misconstrued as ‘tribal’ or ‘exotic’ and simplified to leopard skins and mud cloths. Many times, it is a point of reference. However, the source is never regarded as much as the derivative.

Africa is a large continent. As a result, the variation of the African fashion story that exists is influenced by a myriad of societies, and the status of individuals or groups within that community. The majority of Africans did not dress for warmth, due to warm climates of the continent. Loin cloths or aprons were sufficient for men, while women wore wraps around their waist or breasts.