Clothing in Africa
Urban societies typically are exposed more to trade and the changing world, while it takes more time for new western trends to get to rural areas.
[1] In Northeastern Africa, particularly in Egypt, styles of traditional women's clothing have been influenced by Middle Eastern cultures; this can be exemplified by the simply embroidered jelabiya which are similarly worn in Arab states of the Persian Gulf.
In contrast the grand boubou is simpler, even more so than the djellaba, though the color designs reach impressive proportions, especially among the Tuareg, who are known for their dyed indigo robes.
The Republic of South Africa, with an estimate of more than 57 million people from countless backgrounds, ethnicities and religions, holds in it an immense cultural diversity that is expressed through the vast array of topics ranging from cuisine, music, languages to celebrations.
[2] Fashion, connecting closely with one's daily life, also plays a crucial role in the identification of South Africa's culture and people, merely as it does every elsewhere in the world.
Instead, these early settlers altered available resources such as game and domestic animals' softened skin, and sometimes, plants and ostrich eggshell for attire making.
[3] The settlement of Bantu-speaking peoples of South Africa resulted in the formation of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe, from 900 to 1300 A.D., that flourished with trades from other foreign regions for gold and ivory in the exchange of clothes, glass bead and Chinese porcelain.
[6] With the influence of colonizers, Western fashion came to rule over South Africa with educated class people preferring Edwardian top coats and hats.
Stores in these working areas carried a wide variety of goods such as boots, coats, tweed jackets, waistcoats, shirts, braces, belts, hats, handkerchiefs, and pocket watches.
The expression of his identity as a true South African person spoke for the aggression in resistance and asking for one's won control of one's country.
She took inspiration from South African sources from clothing of indigenous groups of people to artists such as Barbara Tyrrell and Marlene Dumas.
[6] After the apartheid period ended in 1994, South African traditional dresses continue to be the way to express pride in one's nation and identity as well as an enormous source of inspiration for famous fashion brands such as Sun Goddess, Stoned Cherrie and Strangelove.
Pieces such as head wraps and A-line skirt inspired by Xhosa people from the nineteenth century were brought back on the runway.
As time passed there has been more recognition for the development of art through the creation of fashion in countries such as Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Due to the city's plethora of established black-owned talent, Johannesburg has become one of the major fashion capitals for not only black creatives, but designers of all races.
These styles include: "long sleeves and puffed shoulders, a full skirt, and commonly a colorful bow tied around the waist".
For example, rural Zambian women have started to combine "secondhand clothing with a single two-yard length of chitengi that was used as a wrapper over the dress".
Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Kenya and Malawi had to completely ban the importation/donation of second hand clothes in order to try to control the resale.
However, the opposite side of the argument believes that the high importation creates new jobs for the people living in the port cities.
[This quote needs a citation] Another impact that could be argued either negatively or positively, is that secondhand clothing has become more common to wear than classic African textiles.
Hand-embroidered kaftans are a significant aspect of African clothing, showcasing intricate craftsmanship and cultural heritage, often made from luxurious fabrics and adorned with unique designs that reflect regional artistry.
