Earlier this year, top UK department store Selfridges, had featured an Afro Chic concept - with windows depressingly devoid of any actual African merchandise per se. If the ramp is ours now, I reckoned, with every publication from Top billing to Vogue exhorting us to Go tribal, Fashion Week, would by now be providing the crucible from whence Africa's answers to Prada, Armani and Miu Miu would come.
Fashion is of course, not just about the perfect dress - with hindsight it has always been a snapshot of our political, economic and cultural history. Even without the benefit of hindsight however, judging the impact of African fashion is made trickier in that it treads by necessity, a very fine line - exclusivity is out, inclusivity is in, and designers must ensure their ranges cover all the bases between aspirational and accessible. Hitting the nail squarely on the head, is Frances Andrews, serial fashion award winner, whose label Library, is aptly named for the thinking women's wardrobe and her ability to somehow miraculously do township and uptown, boardwalk and boardroom simultaneously, is no mean feat - perhaps the school shoes have something to do with it.
Anyway, also getting the hang of these delicate issues are many of the well known local labels, as well the Pan African Designers from as far afield as Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Burundi and Ade Bakare who hails from Lagos Nigeria but is based in London. Hopefully we'll soon all be able to enjoy some fashion safaris - Bush in the morning, boutique in the afternoon - the ultimate holiday. But seriously, there is something happening here that works. Beaded bustiers lend a go-anywhere edge to the humble sarong, sophisticated and classic power trouser suits with an African twist, feature the kind of braiding and decoration that only Africa owns. New flowing and draped shapes, natural textures and exhilarating pattern combinations are looking likely to provide the answers to the quest for sophisticated street look that might even ultimately be the death of denim.
Watch out for Menzie Ngcobo's Framed label, beautifully reinventing classics like denim and khaki with warrior twist. In addition we seem to have tapped into something like our own voice with designers such as Sun Goddess, inspired by tribal wear from San to Ethiopian providing clothing reminiscent of a distant and halcyon age of African Royalty and myth, complete with gold, feathers and power jewellery - and with this in mind it becomes clear that it is in the fashion milieu more so than any other that we will have the opportunity to express the very essence of our Renaissance and pride. To speed up the process, just say no to skimpy imports, derivative and cookie cutter fashions and go big in the colour, motif and style that alone are ours.
* headline slogan courtesy of Mother City designer Ge-Maine Christopher
View gallery pics of the Nokia Cape Town Fashion Week:
https://www.bizcommunity.com/Gallery.aspx?l=196&c=11&gi=88
