AFRICAN TEXTILES AND FASHION MATERIALS

 Dashiki

Dashiki is a loose fit multi-colored garment that resembles a shirt, though it might cover approximately half of your body. Most times it’s adorned with patterns and colors that are associated with African culture. Overtime, the dashiki became synonymous with black is beautiful. For the wearer it was ways to show a deep-seated interest and love for your African roots, and a way to consider in and exhibit one's position for full protection under the law in American culture.

Mudcloth

Mudcloth is a normal African textile that was initially manufactured in Mali, Western Africa. It’s typically characterized by white geometric designs on a black, dark brown, mustard, red or renewable record (although other colors are occasionally found).  Often, Mudcloth is folded and bought from sections. Black Mudcloth is the most popular and is mainly when relaying proverbs or telling stories typically. Symbols will in actuality be "built" in to the designs.

Asoke

 Asoke cloth is another important African textile that is wonderfully multi-colored and made in a time-honored fashion by the Yoruba folks of Nigeria. Created by using a variety of color and patterns schemes. This lovely cloth dates far back into the history, having been woven for more than 100 years within the traditional life-style for the Yoruba people. Looms discovered on various archaeological digs have validated the extended background of this cloth and the looms, which these were created. Asoke cloth is appreciated because of its durability and extended life.

George

George cloth is an extremely popular African textile that is adored because of its wonderful silver embroidery focus on fine textile. This textile will involve a very complex embroidery design that is repeated throughout the garment to provide it an extremely elaborate appearance. The gold embroidery often is employed against a very stunning color, which really accentuates both color of the garment and the richness of the yellow metal thread. George cloth is admired because of its fine design and luxurious look. Sales of George textile are especially high during Black History Month because the silver designs are so popular. Throughout Africa's background it was extremely popular for African royalty to adorn themselves with silver.

African Wax

Wax prints textiles are a good example of a material that primarily emerged to Africa from Indonesia via trade, and became area of the African life-style and custom through the adaptation by Africans, through the customization of its designs, symbols and colors. It's now a fundamental element of West and Central African society, with almost all of today's production centered in Ghana or Mali.

Kente

Kente Cloth is seen as a use of a variety of exciting colors in abundant, interesting designs utilizing geometric styles. Colors in Kente fabric stand for various things or periods of life. In the realm of African textiles, Kente cloth holds great significance. With roots in Ghana, it is recognized as the "king of cloths." With a captivating palette of colors, this cloth really represents the of Africa's people and is also closely from the spirit.

Kaftan

Kaftan in Western Africa, this garment for girls is known as a 'Boubou.' It is worn along with a colorful head cover known as a 'Gele' to the Yoruba people. There is also a version of the ‘boubou’ outfit for men, which consists of pants, a shirt, and a cap referred to as a 'kufi'. Worn for many types of occasions, these loose-fitting modest garments, are long (almost touching the floor) and are brightly colored and decorated. They’re convenient because of their form, as they are easy to put on and take off, but they are also easy to purchase since they are not form-fitting, and accommodate a myriad of body types all with a single one size fits all.