TTT3: Culture-Woven Fabric

(Labels: Black Tank- Bebe, White Lace Tank- American Apparel)

I inherited this Ankara skirt from my grandmother, along with many other types of Ankara apparel, most of which were handmade (my grandmother was an AMAZING seamstress and an even better dresser). I have a slight addiction to Ankara fabric and I have a strong feeling that it will appear in my wardrobe quite frequently this summer.

Ankara fabric is also known as Dutch wax print fabric and although it is most commonly referred to as African print or having African origins, the fabric was actually crafted by the Dutch as an Indonesian-inspired, batik-like fabric. After the Dutch introduced the fabric to the European market, it began to be mass-produced but it did not gain popularity until it reached modern-day Ghana and began to spread throughout West Africa. After the fabric caught on in West Africa, the Dutch were inspired to design the fabric in order to better reflect West African culture and focus less on Indonesian batik.

Ankara fabric alone tells a deep history of cultural blending and sharing. I think that it is a perfect example of how beautiful things can be created with the participation and combination of different cultural influences!

Of course, with such atypical patterns and color combinations expressed in each piece of Ankara fabric, it can be difficult to style it without distracting from its overall beauty. I figured these images might help a little:

(Blogger and huge inspiration- Folake of StylePantry.com)

(The Boxing Kitten)

(Italian Designer Stella Jean)

 With infinite love,

 

The Frohemian

Thrifts and Threads Thursday

 

(Labels: Shirt- Romeo and Juliet Couture, Skirt- Thrift Shop, Tanktop- Forever 21, Boots- Bakers, Bag- gift, Jewelry- Relative Culture)

So I usually get questions and comments about my clothes and my overall style whenever I am out, which I think has something to do with my obvious "outsider" appearance in the small towns that I find myself drifting to and through. It was suggested that I include some of my own personal style in this blog and after my recent and very surprising addiction to surfing through fashion blogs from around the world, I got a little inspired. 

These fashion bloggers, like so many others before them, demonstrate the deep cultural significance that goes into the formation of style. Style can be found in every culture and it is culture that shapes every style, so I thought I would have a little input as well. Now, I must provide a disclaimer. I do not consider myself much of a fashionista or an extraordinarily knowledgeable source about the world of fashion (though with all this fashion blog surfing, that may be subject to change). However,  I am an expert on my own personal style, and as I have said before, I am most inspired by styles shaped by cultures around the world. So I figured that I would share, seeing as my style is my biggest inspiration when I am in creative mode. 

A large section of my wardrobe was selected from a vast amount of unwanted, unloved, forgotten clothes a.k.a- thrift shops, but if you have any questions about my thrifted items I can provide the label and look into it. I will also provide the labels of thrifted items if they are recognizable brands, as I have done above.

Well if you have any remarks about the outfit, culture's influence on style, or this post in general, feel free to leave a comment. Also, if you know of any good fashion bloggers please let me know in the comment section. That would be amazing! Oh, and in case you were wondering- yes, this is the outfit that I wore today and yes, my current location has not gotten the message that winter is, in fact, over. Well hopefully summer is just around the corner. Can't wait!

With infinite love,

The Frohemian