“Cloth covers the body like a second skin – adorning its wearer and conveying meaning through color, pattern, and texture.”
– Brooklyn Museum
…Perhaps an idea we all should take from.
Upon visiting the African Fashion exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, I stepped into history. Surrounded by such beautifully crafted garments, photographs, and textiles, I was walked through Africa’s journey of decolonization throughout the 1900’s. My biggest takeaway?
The care and intent that goes into African Fashion…
I’ve always admired the culture for their style, but to dig deeper and read firsthand about the journey made it all the more inspiring. In my time at the museum, I did a lot of juxtaposing between the exhibit and the world we live in today filled with overconsumption, poorly made clothing, and fast fashion. What happened to the care and intent being put into what we wear every day? To be honest, I’m not entirely sure… but somewhere along the way, it got lost.
As I strolled through the textile section, I stumbled across an excerpt that included the quote highlighted at the top.
“The Politics and Poetics of Cloth”
The clothing you choose to wear on your back everyday matters. Outside of it being a necessity to cover ourselves, it is an extension of who we are. African culture embodies that. Whether representing a societal symbol or generational ties, these textiles- the base of all clothing- are equivalent to the words that fill a page in a book.
Tying this into the present day, why don’t we as consumers carry this idea with us?
We say, we want to be a more responsible consumer and purchase slower, more ethical fashion, but in the end are still sporting that $10 polyester top from Zara… Why?
Seeing these African textiles and garments within this exhibit was proof that things that are made with care, time, and intention – last. Here they were, hanging on the wall in front of me, from decades ago, and yet they looked brand new.
Inspiration
With the United States being the melting pot of the world, it’s only natural that the designs of today are representative and inspired by cultures in other areas of the world. In several ways, the fashions of Africa have heavily influenced designers, big and small (i.e., Tokyo James, Nao Serati, and Rich Mnisi).
Personal Favorites
Having spent some quality time in this exhibit, it’s hard to come out of there having just one specific designer, photographer, or artist to love.
If there’s one thing you must know about me… it’s my love for hats. And if there is one thing I have always admired the African culture for, it’s their ability to accessorize.
By far my favorite look of the museum – this matching plaid suit, combined with pointed toe heels and a fedora to finish it off is the definition of timeless style and class.
Following in close second is this upcycled design.
Below this piece, the excerpt read:
“Nkwo Onwuka works with small-scale artisans across the continent who specialize in handcrafts like dyeing, weaving, beading, and embroidery. Onwuka explores ways of using waste materials in her designs while still preserving traditional craft skills. Her “Dakala” cloth, made from waste fabric, is stripped and then sewn back together with a technique that gives the appearance of traditional woven cloth.”
For obvious reasons I was drawn to this… Onwuka’s dedication to utilizing waste materials while maintaining high levels of craftsmanship is something we all should take from.
Next time you wake up and put on your clothes for the day, look deeper into the design- where did it come from, who inspired it? You never know what journey may have unfolded to inspire that very shirt you’re wearing on your back.
References: The Brooklyn Museum’s ‘Africa Fashion’ Exhibition Threads a Nearly Impossible Needle (culturedmag.com)
