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The collection uses ankara fabric used in traditional African clothing on several items including trench coats, shoes, dresses, high waisted skirts and men's shirts and pants. But it's not the first.
In the last few years designers like John Galiano and Gwen Stefani for L.A.MB. (see images below) have incorporated elements of African style and dress into their collections.
And as nice as it is to see designers flex their creative muscles and honor the beauty of different cultures, it would be even nicer if their African inspired clothes were showcased by African or African American models. Not as an act of tokenism, but perhaps to show some appreciation for the people who actually wear these prints on a daily basis as part of their cultural ethos.
Comments: (13)
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By: luvnfears on 6/20/2011 5:01PM
WTH? Being black is not a trend, it's life.
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By: "DimePiece" on 6/20/2011 9:36PM
@luvnfears
WTF 2 times with you on that gurl! Is this article RACIST or what? What these designers are saying is, we can make and design African Clothing without African Models by using are white models who can wear the clothing better? Who needs African Models to represent their style and trend. That is totally wrong the way these STUPID DESIGNERS went about in putting this in the media. BV shouldn't have even posted this article. Yeah DAMN RIGHT, Africans & Blacks would be offended! This is really disrespecting the African Culture and People!
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By: Royal-t on 6/20/2011 10:18PM
What else is new.. they steal everything we do; including the black man's hand shake..
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By: rugglebyc on 6/20/2011 10:40PM
I have mixed feelings about this. 1) It bothers me that they'll use African clothes but no black models. BUT If black designers show western clothes and not use white models, no one would say it's racist. Double standard? 2) ONE GOOD result is that many Africans who have abandoned African clothes for western will see that white people are wearing them and want to do it, too!
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By: colorred on 6/20/2011 11:01PM
WHO GIVES A DAMN!
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By: Greg on 6/21/2011 6:19AM
All these designers are saying is what they've been saying all along. There's no new message here at all. That being that they no longer need black people! And, to some degree they're right! Just, take a look at what Black people are caught up in these days? Nothing, but entertainment, and the usual foolishness. The Hispanics are already engaged in supplanting blacks as the primary non-black workforce, and it's clear that magazines like Psych Today are saying the very same thing that other magazines....including Essence are, and have been saying for quite some time now. But, black people are for the most part still asleep! That is also that black people aren't wanted, or needed. But, that continues to be on us as a people. So, why complain, when in fact we continue to be our own worse enemy.
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By: Greg on 6/21/2011 6:26AM
Don't get the usual big negative attitude, or upset with white people who are taking full advantage of any, and all opportunities while black folks just continue to sit on their butts complaining! As, people of African descendant we should have control of all African markets, but we don't have control of any! That's because first off the majority of African don't even care for black Americans, and secondly we as people continue to not align our priorities. And, when others do, then here we come as usual with the predictable whinnying, and complaining. Nothing, new here to report.
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By: msdivaladyj on 6/21/2011 7:37AM
Are we really surprised? Keep your money!
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By: Just on 6/22/2011 11:09AM
Yawwwwwwn...The clothes (patterns) looks so flat on these models
You can buy any one of these patterns- and many others - on 125th Street in Harlem-NY and get one of the African tailors (found all over Brooklyn-Manhattan-Queens) to make the same outfits, for much less and with more flair.
.
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By: "DimePiece" on 6/21/2011 4:49PM
Ok, it is what it is and you find a lot of ignorant people in the world I get that. The title and how the designers brought it out in the media was UNECESSARY. Just do it. There was no need to say "Without African Models"? In the modeling industry has always been racist for years and yes, this isn't nothing new. I guess to be the better person, to get ahead, to be just as successful or even better, have MORE Blacks become Black & African Models & Designers. We need to, step up to the plate, and DO THE DAMN THING! Forget about those who discriminate against us, disrespect us, and be a better person.
This applies to owning TV Networks, Magizines, Corparations, Companies, ect... Black people have the tools, knowledge, and money to do anything in this world and own, and nothing should stop us or any other race from achieving goals in life and being successful in helping all races & our communities in which we all live in.
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