The Dutch created Ankara prints while attempting to imitate the Indonesian Batik patterns. And the West African communities popularized this textile. So who can claim ownership of this textile?

The ambitious show, entitled “Africa Fashion,” captures the multiplicity of fashion across the 54 countries of Africa, tracing its roots from the ancient past to the postcolonial period.

We all know how African-style fashion is characterized by its bright colors, bold patterns, and unique designs ...

Known as African wax block prints, or Dutch wax prints, they were introduced to West Africa by Dutch merchants in the mid-1800s, after the Dutch tried to imitate traditional batik fabrics through ...

Fun fact: I love African fashion, iconography and decor; always have. I love wax prints (yes, I know they’re actually Dutch/Indonesian), indigo mudcloth, Coptic crosses and Moroccan wedding ...

A close analysis of the Kete dawuro bell pattern reveals that the Kete pattern may be represented in an "African 12/8" or ternary-quadruple meter, emphasizes the importance of the half-time 2-feel ...

Layering prints and patterns is a design approach that creates a sophisticated look full of depth and dimension. When done incorrectly, however, the result can be a distracting and scattered space.