THE CUTE PLEAT

A frican print, popularly known as Ankara, has gained popularity in the global fashion scene. But what a lot of people are not aware of is that this material is not locally produced in Africa. In fact we have the Dutch to thank for that. Who would have thought? The material is presumed, albeit wrongly, to be of African origin because of the tribal prints and mortifs that best portrays the richness and vibrancy of our culture and colours. For the past several years, especially in recent times, the Ankara fabric has escalated from being worn by the less-privilegde to gracing the catwalks worldwide! Recognizing the growth in popularity, naturally the Dutch manufacturers have keyed in by churning out even more exciting designs and not only that, making the fabrics in newer textures like silk, chiffon and even jersey! We now have so many other products made in Ankara, from shoes, to bags, to hats and even…wait for it…socks! There is no limitation when it comes to these prints. Ankara is one of the cheapest traditional fabrics and it is welcoming, with a hint of pride, the amazing creations being made out of this simple fabric. It is by far, our greatest ambassador when it comes to promoting our culture and talent. When most people think of African fabrics, the first thing that comes to mind is these traditional African wax prints and today’s designers are creating new patterns to reflect modern tastes, as