adminAFTER the publication of my article last week titled: Ebola — its effects on fashion, where I highlighted the ignorance professed by some people, particularly in America about the deadly Ebola virus, it struck me that the virus really didn’t bother many.
Some had the audacity to crack jokes or find humour in it. But since America among many other countries are celebrating Halloween, some people decided to wear costumes simulating the virus. I know of many blogs and bloggers that have been writing about this insensitive trend.
It is just downright inhuman for people to be doing such.
It is just ironic how a country such as America can spread so much fear about the virus then make fun of it.
Despite that being an issue I do understand that there are measures being taken to prevent the virus from spreading, also with enterprising fashion stores taking an initiative to distribute non-pricey garb spreading the word about Ebola.
Anyway, this week I want to talk about a debatable topic about African fashion, this is a topic I came across on the net.
Over the past couple of years we have witnessed and experienced an influx of what is commonly referred to as ethnic wear in a lot of stores, both locally and internationally. For many international boutiques and high end fashion stores this has been the epitome of “stalking up” on the Benjamin’s (money).
African couture indeed is trendy but do we find it trendy, because white people do? I am no racist and I mean no harm by asking this. Many a times, we Africans, are amused and adopt trends and cultures which are foreign because we have been and are led astray to believing that foreign styles are nice.
If you do follow fashion TV shows, magazines and so forth, you will realise that at least a greater number of the models parading whatever fashion are white. I really don’t understand how a white lady can wear something African and a black person finds it trendy, whereas they don’t find it appealing if worn by a black person? Those are just my musings.
It is just jarring to see loads of white women posing and looking “gorgeous” with prints that are reminiscent of traditional African clothing, commonly worn in West Africa.
If you do check online you will find that on these store websites, white women wear African couture that we as Africans are intimately familiar with.
These white models will be donning serious expressions, beside strategically placed boxes for shoppers to select a size and a price.
Our culture is our pride and heritage, it does not and should not come with a price tag.
Cultural appropriation is not the issue here but choosing to relish in head wraps and funky prints that draw inspiration from the cradle of the earth is something we as Africans should feel robbed of.
As an African it is somewhat troubling to see how white women have adopted and are fond of using African attire for clothing and accessories choices.
Somehow wooden jewelry pieces of Africa carved into big, chunky earrings have become an obsession, the head wraps with bright vibrant colours, which is the icing on what is an outfit for a night out in town.
Has the entire African culture been boiled down into the convenience of a fashion statement?
Has our pride been turned into just a fashion accessory?
I wonder if people do realise that this is not just a dress but a way of life for a people.
Our African dressing is somehow seen as a costume, a dress-up experience — something to have fun with, be experienced for a short period of time, then discarded and forgotten.
Culture is far beyond fashionable items, which can be purchased from a shop. It’s much more than calling yourself Afrocentric just because you choose to dress or wear certain things border lining on Africa.
Especially now that America is celebrating Halloween, I am sure that there will be a lot of foolish people dressed up as black people in African attire. For those of us who are African, we realise how silly this is.
That dressing is an expression of our history, tradition, languages, food, spirits, and names tell stories about are our strength and serve as a unifying reminder of what constitutes our being.
Feedback:
Hi, I like your fashion articles and sure man people should stop the Ebola fear mongering, you are right designers will soon come up with something. Probably a polite keep Ebola away outfit. — 0776967058.
Hello Peter, I am extremely fascinated by your articles. I enjoy when you highlight fashion trends. Keep it up bro. — Richie.
Hello Peter, I am extremely fascinated by your lovely articles. Keep it up. — Ntokozo Stacy Pasipamire.
Your column rocks my brother, keep it up, it’s really hot. — 0773453442.
For your feedback, views and comments link up with me via whatsapp or sms ONLY on 0772337433 you can also e-mail me on [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter