Traditional Attires: Aso Oke
Aso oke is a traditional cloth made and mostly worn by the Yoruba tribe, the Western part of Nigeria. Aso oke, literally translated to the English language means ‘cloth up’, a cloth of good standing. It means that the aso oke is a traditional fabric made and worn for important events: weddings, funerals, birthday […]
Kenneth Ize Is Styling the New World in Hand-Woven Aso Oke
Fashion narratives are beginning to change in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Contemporary designers fuse locally woven fabrics and traditional motifs with unconventional styles to create talk-of-the-runway pieces. These designs are a union of global cultures, a blend of heritage and avant-gardism; this is the future of African fashion and Kenneth Ize is certain […]
Adire Designs by ‘Maki Oh’ That You’ll Love
The adire-making tradition has been in existence since the early 19th century. Famously practised by the Yorubas, the art involves creating hand-drawn patterns on fabric with resist-dye techniques. Oyo and Osun are renowned for these indigo-dyed cloths. Top Nigerian fashion brand, Maki Oh, is keeping alive this indigenous textile tradition by projecting contemporary designs with […]
Did You Know? Iseyin Is Nigeria’s Biggest Producer of Aso Oke
Iseyin sits about a hundred kilometres to the north of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. It’s a significant town in its own right; with a population of well over 300,000 persons, it’s the state’s fourth biggest urban agglomeration. While Iseyin doesn’t match the sprawl and sheer economic power of Ibadan, the town’s people take pride […]
10 Types of Fabrics Available in Nigerian Markets
It might mean no big deal for the seasoned cloth merchant or the up-to-date tailor, but those that are not quite conversant with Nigerian fashion may not fully comprehend the variety that greets the eye in local Nigerian cloth markets. Various designs and grades of fabrics have been developed to satisfy wide tastes and suit […]
KikiKamanu Spring/Summer 2014 Collection “THE ABYSSINIAN ADVENTURE”
Designer Kiki Kamanu proudly brings you the culture of Ethiopia with her Spring/Summer 2014 ‘Abyssinian Adventure”. As she drove six to ten hours daily between villages throughout the Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia, her travels led to her discovery of Menen fabric. ‘Menen’ which means ‘the finest’, in Amharic, the centuries old language of Ethiopia, […]