Cameroon Designer Making Clothes From Banana Leaves

Solange Nana is a designer in the town of Bafoussam in Cameroon, who has been able to make clothes from banana leaves.

Solange who had previously been making dresses out of straw, got the inspiration to make dresses out of banana leaves from her husband.

She said:"One day, my husband remarked how I like traditional clothing, like made out of straw. I liked straw clothes a lot, and I made them too, but he asked me 'Why don't you sew using banana leaf?' He went and got some banana leaves for me and asked me to make him a jacket out of banana. I liked the idea, so I tanned and stitched it and I did it."

The process of making the dresses involves; stripping the dried leaves from the banana plant, tanning and drying. When they get dry, she then sews them together.

She adds that it is a time consuming process and takes about a week or two to complete a dress like "kaba".

kaba made out of banana leaves

 The couturier says it is washable, durable and comfortable.

This is creativity at its best. How spectacular!!!

For more information, go to CCTV by visiting www.cctv.cn

Clone Multimedia

Clone Multimedia is a Media and IT Company based in Buea Cameroon.
Clone Multimedia has existed for six years and offers services such as, graphic design, website design, web hosting,  publication layout, online marketing and IT consulting. For more information on Clone Multimedia, go to; www.clonemultimedia.com

African Print On Everything

African prints are no longer limited to dresses only.

Other aspects of fashion are having a touch of the prints in them. This can be seen on shoes, bags, beads, caps, purses and even phone covers. . Its really cool matching up all these things together through print. I don't know about you but I think creativity and originality are more important than technical work. Way to go Africa!!!

You can check these cool designs in the following links:

fashionforensicafrica.me

www.kaymu.com.gh

uberduka.com

luxuriousbling.com

www.pinterest.com

Dashiki

The Dashiki originates from West Africa. It is a colorful men's garment that covers the top half of the body. 

 

It has been around for long but, it has become very popular in 2015. It has formal and informal versions and varies from simple draped clothing to fully tailored suits. A common form is a loose-fitting pullover garment, with an ornate V-shaped collar, and tailored and embroidered neck and sleeve lines. It is in many shades and colors. 

Check out these cool diverse designs of dashiki.

                                                                  

Pleated dress, www.afrokulcha.co.za

             

                                                  

Men's loose garment, africaimports.com

Dashiki sweatpants, www.polyvore.com

                                                            

Hoodie with dashiki print, ishareimage.com

Kids in loose garment and shorts, pinpicsnow.com

Fashion Is Ever Revolvng

It seems like the earth revolves with almost every aspect on it; this includes fashion.
Many fashion trends which where in the last century are making grounds in the present century. For instance, there is the Dashiki won by legendary Chicago bluesman Buddy Guy in a photograph in the Ebony magazine, September 2000 edition. This African design is currently trending in fashion.

Awards Winner, Buddy Guy in his Dashiki outfit on page 158 of the Ebony magazine, September 2000 edition. Courtesy, Ebony magazine

Dashiki trending in 2015. Courtesy www.africaimports.com

Trending Designs In Cameroon Fashion

Lots of new amazing deigns are trending in the Cameroon fashion scenario especially over the past few years.
 Most of these designs have a twist of Cameroonian, African, European and Western concepts blended together. As such, people all over the world can identify themselves with Cameroon fashion, wherever and whenever, since Cameroon fashion has gone global.

The girls in the picture are dressed in pleated skirts of African print with Western snglets

She has on a pleated dresses of African print, with the sleeveless half-length typical of Western or European design.

The guy is dressed in a T-shirt made of African print and Western print.

These photos are courtesy of Cherry Da Boss Lady, cherrydabosslady.blogspot.com, 
and WAZAL Couture, hallpams.blogspot.com

Africa Fashion Reception

In 2013, the African fashion industry came together in the world's fashion capital- Paris for the official launch of the Africa Fashion Reception (AFR).

With the participation of 16 countries, it hosted fashion designers, garment and textile manufacturers, fashion accessory and lifestyle producers. In 2014, 24 countries were represented and this year, 30 countries will come together to showcase the cultural diversity of Africa through fashion. This year's theme is, " Africa is the new inspiration for global fashion".

During the past two editions, some Cameroonian designers participated like, Anggy Haif who participated in 2013 and Christalyx in 2014.

The application for participation is still on going. I hope many more Cameroon designers take part this year. For more information on this, go to the following link: www.africafashionreception.com