Event 3 Blog

For event number 3, I attended was the African Print Fashion Now at the Fowler museum on campus. The African Print Fashion Now exhibit is a story of taste, globalization and style. Bright colors, bold images, and complex patterns are what make up African Print and have been worn in every country of West and Central Africa. This distinct type of cloth has been recognized and known as African. Because of this it has marked national and Pan-African Identities.

The story of the African Print in the exhibit was put on by the local seamstresses, tailors, international African runway designers, and by the youth in African Urban Centers of the latest trends. African print textiles were initially manufactured in the later nineteenth century, however they became a crucial part of fashion in local African communities in the twentieth century. Today African print has been brought to the worldwide stage of fashion and introduced as its own type of fashion genre.  I think this type of fashion has so much soul and history within in it and has been so significant within the African culture. It is exciting seeing it being recognized internationally and worldwide.
The exhibit in my opinion was such a vivid and accurate representation of color and patterns. There were so many bold colors and prints all around the exhibit I got so lost in the amount of color surrounding me. Each piece was so unique and mesmerizing to encounter. The colors are countless and seem to continue on forever.

In the exhibit, the fashion was not only comprised of female clothing, but it also consisted of both men and children’s clothing. Accessories for women were also on display in the exhibit; for example bracelets, necklaces, earrings, purse clutches and shoes were on display in glass boxes. These accessories were too, coated in beautiful bright and bold colors. Each pair of shoes had a different pattern, but they all still represented their authenticity with the colors and patterns so characteristic to African print. Some of the shoes had a matching purse clutch to go with it. The jewelry was all different shapes and sizes, however they did not stray from color. Each piece expressed similarity due to bright colors spread throughout all of them.


The children’s clothing was simple yet extravagant because if the multitude of patterns and colors used within each article of clothing. There were dresses made for the girls and shorts and matching shirts for the boys. Some of the same prints were used in both the boys and girls clothing. Overalls were also a type of clothing made probably for both the boys and girls to wear. Some of the men’s clothing displayed is similar to what we would see today, that being a full suit and tie. The only difference is that the suits were made out of the bold colorful African print, which is the difference from the earth -tone simple colors used for making suits today. Aside form the suit, what seemed to be traditional African men’s wear was also shown in the exhibit. These outfits had African printed slacks with a button up shirt that either matched or was in a solid color and printed hat to match. The hats for men were tall and cylinder like, looking similar to a tall standing chef’s hat.

Most of the clothing and prints in the exhibit were for women. There were a variety of styles presented within the exhibit. Most of the outfits were either dresses or a skirt and shirt combo; however the detailing, length, styles of dress or skirt were all different form one another. The detail of each outfit was so intricate and individual not one looked the same. Some of them were also paired with a hat matching the outfit.


My overall experience attending the exhibit was great! To be honest I have never encountered so much color in one place so it was definitely a vibrant experience. The outfits were not my particular style, but I still believe that the pieces were so beautiful and carried so much tradition and beauty within. It was a fun witnessing another culture and seeing it portrayed through cloth.


  • (All photos are mine)
  • Attended the event on Wednesday May 24th, 2017

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