Ankara is the order of the day

Ivy Chimbwanda : Lifestyle Writer

Ankara is now no longer for the poor or old people, the fabric has become a trend setter among the youth and fashion conscious. It is now a classless fabric with rich people also taking part in this large following. Ankara has taken the world by storm as the world embraces ethnic African wax prints. Ankara Fabric commonly known as “African Prints”, “African Wax Prints” “Holland Wax” and “Dutch Wax”, is a 100% cotton fabric with vibrant patterns.It is usually a colourful cloth and is primarily associated with Africa because of its tribal-like patterns and themes. It is also a very versatile fabric and many items can be made such as hats, earrings, blazers, and shoes to name a few.

With its overwhelmingly large response one might think Ankara’s origins is Africa. Ankara’s origins are not wholly African. Dutch wax prints started out as cheap mass produced imitations of Indonesian batik fabrics. Originally intended for the Indonesian market,Ankara found a more enthusiastic market in West Africa, where it became a symbol of traditional and high quality fashion. From West Africa, this fabric spread to other parts of Africa and all over the world. Ankara is now no longer for the poor or old people, the fabric has become a trend setter among the youth and fashion conscious. It is now a classless fabric with rich people also taking part in this large following.

Clothes

Ankara today is now being seen on the runways in Nigeria, Los Angeles, London, Paris, New York and Milan. It has made its way onto the red carpet at different occasions and even the world’s most popular stars are now following the trend with the likes of Beyoncé, Rihanna and Kimora Lee Simonsmaking appearances in various prints.

Men and women can be seen at functions such as weddings with a customised shirt and dress to show that they are a together as a couple. Ankara Print Fabrics can be worn for regular outings, but many people consider it a luxurious fabric and wear it for special and formal occasions.

Women have been seen sporting matching shoes, bags and dresses at major events.

Many designers are now playing around with these fabrics to create their own tasteful items which are a combination of materials with different textures such as denim, linen and leather to complete various looks for different people.Canvas shoes, hats and other everyday clothing items have become part of this Ankara fame with many describing these pieces are rare collectables that are trendy.

Accessories

Colourful jewellery such as beaded necklaces made from Ankara material and Ankara themed buttons proving to be most popular, earrings, bangles, hair grips, sunglasses using the fabric. The handcrafted jewellery has been described as simple, stylish and soulful fashion.

Ties for men which are now a huge thing have seen celebrities wearing designer Ankara bow ties, long neck ties, pocket squares , cravats , socks and many other items.

Furniture

Customised Ankara furniture which is a new phenomenon, is slowly taking centre stage as it is now being used by contemporary interior decorators, within organisations and homes. Some designers now using antique furniture as show pieces for their creative works. Artists have taken to reupholstering old and used furniture with Ankara fabrics.

Zimbabwean women have not been far behind with this trendy craze taking the world by storm. Many self-employed women are travelling as far as Congo, Zambia and Tanzania to collect these colourful materials to sell to customers. Judy Takawira says “selling this fabric has changed her life”. Wedding season has made her business boom as she purchases these materials for high profile clients who love these custom pieces of material. Zimbabwe does not have its own traditional dress so this Ankara material has covered this gap and given many women a sense of pride to embrace their ethnicity.

Thembe Khumalo who owns the fashion label “Labour of Love” which uses mostly Ankara she says, “Once I developed an interest in African print I noticed that many of the women in West African movies and television programmes also wear African prints and they do so with so much style and great pride. I wanted to spread that feeling of African pride.”

There are endless Ankara designs that are coming up, uses for these materials as well as visuals. Bakers have also joined this vast growing trend with Ankara themed wedding cakes, cupcakes and themes. The designs are so exciting and different they inspire one to want to be part of this global phenomenon.