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West African Fashion, Fabrics and Style

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5 Influential West African Designers You Sould Follow on Instagram
The global fashion landscape is undergoing a dynamic transformation, and at its forefront are the visionary West African designers who have not only carved a niche for themselves but have…
How To Make Sure Vlisco Fabric is Genuine
Vlisco is renowned for its high-quality African wax prints, and as a consumer, it’s important to ensure you’re purchasing genuine products. The market is unfortunately flooded with counterfeits of high-value…
Italian Shoes and Bags for West African Fashion
Italian shoes and bags hold a lot of prestige in West African fashion. In the Empire Textiles blog, we’ll look at the various types of Italian Shoes & Bags, their…
Getzner Textil – An environmental masterpiece
It’s no secret that companies all around the world are trying to cut down on their carbon footprint. As the global effort to combat climate change is in the media…
Timeless Crafts With Wax Fabrics
In today’s blog, we are taking a look at how you can use leftover fabric for some easy fabric crafts to have around your home this winter. Most of these…
Our Tips For Working With Wax Prints
We often get asked how to work with some of our various wax prints so we thought today we could hit some of our top tips for working with our…
Small Craft Projects For Fabric Scraps
We all have spare pieces of fabric lying around from our larger projects but what should we do with that scrap of Silk Cotton Wax or Voile lace? We’ve got the top 5…
African fabrics and Styles for the Festive Season
African fabrics are bright and vibrant meaning you can wear them all year round with any style of outfit. But what bout the festive period? Today we take a look…
Vlisco – From Holland To Africa
Vlisco has long been a staple in the West and Central African markets but how did Vlisco get there? Today we take a look at how Vlisco was founded and…
Adding African Print To Your Wardrobe
African prints are Vivid, stylish and can make an impact on any wardrobe. But how do you go about adding West African fabrics to your outfit selection on a budget?…
How Do I Wear Wax Prints In Cold Weather?
When we see African prints we are usually reminded of sunshine, heat and endless summers, but in the Northern Hemisphere, autumn and winter have landed with a chilly bump and…
A Brief History of Wax Prints
West African fabrics and wax prints have an interesting and (literally) colourful history. West African textiles have always existed, but it was Dutch settlers in the 19th century who helped…
Customising Your West African outfit
West African fabrics are renowned for their ingenious, richly detailed patterns and daring use of colour. You might prefer the bright, modern designs offered by Vlisco, the subtle, low-key complexity…
Creating the perfect men’s suit using west African fabrics
As our regular readers know, Vlisco and Mitex Holland produce some of the richest and most exuberant west African fabrics on the market. They are most often used to create…
Where Do African Tribal Prints Come From?
African prints known as Ankara have gained popularity over the last five years, with many designers choosing these eclectic tribal-patterns and motifs to brighten up summer and autumn collections. Where…
A Guide To African Fabrics And Jewellery
Supplementing west African fabrics with jewellery is a great way to personalise your outfit while giving it an extra touch of panache. However, we offer a wide variety of different…
Getting Ahead In Fashion: Choosing The Perfect Head Tie
Outfits made from beautifully patterned West African textiles don’t need accessories to look stunning. However, here at Empire Textiles, we think that a traditional head tie can add an extra…
Why Does Italy Make The Best Accessories?
Empire Textiles are famous for our selection of West African Fabric and Textiles, but many people are drawn to our shop by the range of Italian designer shoes and bags….
Creating West African Garments To Sell In The Retail Sector
Do you own a small clothing business or fashion retailer? If so, we think you should consider investing in our west African fabrics as soon as possible. They are the…
Combining West African Fabrics With British Counter-Culture
Britain is famous for its wide range of alternative fashions. The nation’s counter-cultural clothing ranges from the heavily-customised, rough-and-ready outfits that characterised the punk movement to the sharp suits favoured…
Choosing African Fabrics for Baby Slings
A baby sling is a fantastic way to transport your baby and go about your day, We tell you why African Fabrics are the best for your baby sling
Top 5 Craft Ideas For African Fabrics
Spare fabric doesn’t have to be left un-used, breath new life into your African fabric off-cuts with these simple projects. 1. Coin Purse
Accessories to compliment African fashion
Picking the right accessories to go with your traditional West African outfit can be tricky. We’ve come up with this short guide to steer you in the right direction. Here…
Working With Wax Prints.
Initially, Wax prints were designed and produced in Holland for the Indonesian market as an alternative to batik. When the sales were not as high as expected another outlet was…
Modern African fashion’s “streetwear” evolution
Today’s West African fashions are evolving into a modern “streetwear” style that appeals to more young people, according to the organiser of a major cultural event. Speaking at the 10th…
Your guide to combining African and western fashions
West African fabrics possess a very recognisable and singular style, which means they can be used to create stunningly distinctive and arresting outfits. However, you may think that these gorgeous…
Where to wear African fabrics
African fabrics with wax prints (such as those offered by Vlisco and Mitex Holland) are undeniably beautiful and vivid. As a result, garments made from these fabrics are perfect for…
Working with wax prints in garment sewing
West African textiles are famous for their stunning and often elaborate print designs. This makes them well-suited to creating beautiful fashion pieces, but to get the most out of your…
The advantages of black-and-white African fabrics
We often praise the bright colours and vibrancy of African fabrics on this blog. However, not all our African textiles feature bright hues. Several are available in black-and-white colour schemes,…
How to make any Christmas outfit stand out in two easy tips
The Christmas party season is upon us; you’ve probably been flicking through page after page of dresses and jumpsuits since mid-October. But, even if you’ve already decided on that perfect…
How can Lace be Used to Supplement and Improve African Fabric Outfits?
Here at Empire Textiles, we offer a wide variety of lace (including Guipure Lace and French Lace) alongside our printed wax fabrics, head ties and other products. This is because…
How to accessorise a Vlisco fabric outfit
Vlisco fabrics are vibrant, diverse and intricately designed. Their bright colours and vivid patterns are instantly recognisable. Consequently, they are ideal for making energetic, visually engaging garments. Any clothing made…
Mitex Holland: the colour of beauty
Mitex Holland wax-printed fabrics are remarkable for their vivid, contrasting colours. The deft use of colour is an important aspect of the Mitex Holland brand, which may explain why it’s…
Celebration of Vlisco on a global stage
One of the United States’ most prestigious museums is to stage an exhibition charting the history of West African culture and fashion. Philadelphia Museum of Art will explore the story…
Styling West African fabrics for colder weather
Our gorgeous West African fabrics can most certainly be worn all year round but it can be tricky to know how to style them when the temperatures start to drop….
Want the real thing? How to ensure your wax fabric is not a cheap imitation
Vlisco is widely recognised as being unparalleled in its quality and reputation. The most superior wax print textile manufacturing company has enjoyed an illustrious history since first being established in…
An in-depth look at Mitex Holland fabrics
Here at Empire Textiles, we pride ourselves on offering fabrics from a wide variety of different African fashion brands. We believe that this allows us to offer our customers the…
Dyed brocade: the most popular West African fabric
Hand-dyed brocade is enjoying a boom among West African designers as it becomes the most popular fabric on the catwalk. The soft, hand-dyed, 100% cotton textile is a fashion favourite…
How to Wear Different Styles of West African Head Gear
West Africa is renowned for its colourful head gear. Made with a wide variety of beautiful fabrics such as lace, cotton, wax print and brocade, head pieces come in a…
How Vlisco Became One of Africa’s Most Popular Fashion Fabrics
The beautiful fabrics manufactured by Dutch company Vlisco have been embraced by West Africa’s fashion industry for generations. The brand has become synonymous with West African culture and high-quality garments,…
Wearing African Fabric to Prom
There have been many stories recently from social media, showing girls and boys heading to their High School prom in traditional West African dress, sometimes with matching outfits for their…
Wearing Wax Prints to Match the Occasion
For many wearers, the vibrancy and boldness of wax prints is an emblem of African creativity and culture. As an increasing number of designer brands, such as Burberry and Yves…
3 Modern Ways to Wear African Wax Prints
There’s no denying how beautiful, bold and versatile African wax print fabrics by Mitex Holland and Vlisco are. If you’re looking to break with tradition and experiment with contemporary styles,…
West African textiles take centre stage in Philadelphia, USA
A new exhibition has launched at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, titled ‘Creative Africa’. From centuries-old sculpture and architecture to contemporary photography and fashion, ‘Creative Africa’ is combining innovation and…
How to Make Garments from Guipure Lace
Guipure is a particularly interesting type of lace, as it’s made in such a way that the motifs are stable and therefore can be cut quite easily. Because of this…
What Are Vlisco Fabrics?
Although Vlisco fabrics were created in 1846, they still have a resounding impact on the fashion, design and art worlds of today, as well as being an essential part of…
How to Fashion Garments from Lace Fabrics
Lace is a popular choice of fabric for a multitude of West African fashions. Whether you choose guipure, Swiss voile, brocade or organza, it’s important to understand there’s an art…
How to Wear Lace
Lace isn’t just for shawls and your grandmother’s curtains! Over the past few years beautiful, colourful laces have exploded on to the catwalk and are now worn by everyone from…
The Timeless Style of the Traditional Dashiki
Anyone who thinks a dashiki is simply a T-shirt couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, it’s much more ornate than an ordinary T-shirt. A traditional, loose-fitting garment, with a V-neckline,…
How Central and West Africa Embraced Wax Prints
Although wax fabric is traditionally used for African fashions, many producers of wax prints are based in Europe. In fact, prior to the 1960s, almost every wax fabric sold across…
Fashion Cities Africa: Celebrating the Diversity of Africa’s Textiles
Fashion Cities Africa has been billed as the ‘first major UK exhibition dedicated to contemporary African fashion. Find out more about that in this Empire Textiles blog.
Stories and Meanings Woven into African Wax Prints
Every picture tells a story, so the saying goes, and this is true for fabric designs, especially those with such a long and colourful history as African wax prints….
The Best Ways to Wear Brocade
Brocade is a group of richly ornate shuttle-woven fabrics, often made in coloured silks and woven with gold and silver threads. The material is often used for evening and formal…
Choosing accessories to wear with your West African fabrics
Choosing the right accessories to wear with your West African fabrics is important and will make you stand out. For some tips, read here!
3 Simple Projects to Make With your West African Fabric Pieces
At Empire Textiles we have a wide range of African fabric, from bright Vlisco to chic brocade, that are perfect for creating your own clothes. But we all know that,…
Make Your Mark in Monochrome
West African fabric often brings to mind bold patterns set in a riot of colour – statement fabrics that go against the grain of corporate-wear, clashing oranges and blues, pinks and…
How to care for your wax prints
West African wax prints can add an extravagant splash of colour to your wardrobe and the best are generally made from 100% cotton. If you want to keep that luxury…
The Versatility of Vlisco: a Short Look at Vlisco’s Design and Production Methods
Some of the most popular fabrics we sell here at Empire Textiles are produced by Vlisco. What makes Vlisco so popular? The answer lies in the brand’s versatility: their fabrics…
Wax prints steal the show at Paris Fashion Week
African wax prints are certainly head-turning garments wherever they are worn in the world, and judging by last week, Paris is no different. The cream of the fashion world gathered…
The History of French Lace
Lace has become an integral part of African fashion and here at Empire Textiles, it’s a popular fabric that’s shipped around the world to make high-quality garments. In particular,…
Turkish president visits Africa to improve trade relations for West African textiles
Spring has seen Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan fly to Africa for a four-nation tour, aimed at improving trade relations between his country and the continent. Erdoğan kicked off his…
Textile Production Creating New Job Opportunities in Africa
Here at Empire Textiles, our diverse selection of African fabrics are shipped around the world, ready to fashion into a stunning array of garments to suit all tastes like West…
The Origins of the Wax Print
When we think of wax prints, we think African wax prints. The searingly bright and boldly patterned fabrics are synonymous with Africa. However, the history of this famous fabric, now…
How to wash West African fabric with crystal embellishments
From dresses to head gear, the incorporation of crystal embellishments within a fabric can really make an outfit stand out from the crowd at a social gathering or formal occasion….
Key African wax prints for 2016
Fashion fans may have noticed that African wax print fabric is receiving major attention from designers across the globe. People from West Africa and Nigeria have been wearing bright, geometric…
Traditional African Sego Ipele and Gele head wraps
Here at Empire Textiles, we know there’s nothing better than exploring our range of high-quality fabrics to create the perfect new look. If you’re looking to fashion a traditional African…
Who or what is Mitex Holland?
Mitex Holland is a very popular brand in the African textile market. A long-standing family company, they are famous for manufacturing high quality fabrics with unique designs. Based in the…
A Short History of Brocade
At Empire Textiles, we understand that our customers want to know more about the clothes and accessories they wear. This doesn’t just mean knowing who made the garments and where…
The History of the African Wax Print Fabric, Vlisco
Some of the most beautiful African wax print fabrics are made by Vlisco, a huge global brand, which has a significant presence in the international fashion market. Vlisco, a premium…
The Timeless Beauty of Guipure Lace
Guipure lace is renowned in the world of African textiles as an essential bridal fabric. It was inspired by 16th and 17th century, scalloped lace, enhanced by geometric patterns, on…
African designer dresses the White House
Nigerian Duro Oluwo was one of a selection of designers drafted in to create a spectacular Christmas display at the White House in Washington DC. It has become a tradition…
African Fashion Shows Create Global Impact
During the past decade, the number of African fashion shows in countries all over the world has grown rapidly, leading industry experts to predict this is Africa’s time to shine….
Designers of African Fashion Capitalise on Global Sporting Events
Major global sporting tournaments have traditionally led to a wide variety of African sport souvenir products hitting the market. In particular, the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil prompted a…
How to Wear an African Headtie
The African headtie has a long and meaningful history in West African culture, as well as being a glamorous fashion accessory nowadays. In Ghana, it is traditionally considered to be…
The Significance of African George Fabrics for Wedding Attire
Among the most popular of African materials is the African George fabric, which has its origins among the Igbo people of Nigeria. The beautifully-embroidered George fabric is renowned for being…
African Fashion Helps Eradicate Poverty in Ethiopia
The recent Hub of Africa fashion week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, attracted the cream of designers and clientèle from all over the world. The high-profile event, at the Millennium Hall,…
Men’s Top Five Most Popular African Clothing Styles
Men’s African clothing styles today have evolved from traditions dating back many centuries. There’s a massive selection of fashionable, quality, African clothing for men in the 21st century, designed…
Why Swiss Voile is the ideal fabric for creating men’s attire
Are you about to embark upon creating a comfortable item of men’s clothing for every day wear? Or have you been tasked with creating a sleek and sophisticated men’s outfit…
International Designers Showcased at Hub of Africa Fashion Week
The top international designers will exhibit their latest creations at a prestigious event aimed at showcasing African fashion. The Hub of Africa Fashion Week 2015 is taking place at the…
African Wax Prints: Five Things you Didn’t Know.
African wax prints are hot stuff right now. Worn by celebrities such as Gwen Stefani and appearing ever more on the British high street, their bold designs and explosions of…
Guipure Lace: An Introduction
Guipure lace might not be an African invention, it started when Genoese lacemakers defected to Malta. It has, however, been embraced wholeheartedly by the African community, which has injected colour…
How to make a simple African dress
Making your own clothes is a satisfying and empowering endeavour. It affords you the option of designing something totally unique that suits you perfectly. At Empire Textiles, we specialise…
Introducing the African Head Tie…
The head tie is an integral part of women’s fashion throughout Africa and they range from a simple monotone item through to an elaborate head dress comprising extravagant prints and…
How to Wash your Wax Print Fabrics
Whether it was bestowed upon you as a gift or if you handpicked your own preferred design pattern, West African wax prints are beautiful fabrics cherished by their owners. For…
Top 3 West African Designers of 2015
In recent years, there has been a surge of immensely popular and incredibly talented designers within the West African fashion industry. Listed below are three of these designers, all of…
What is Organza Lace?
At Empire Textiles, we like to make sure that our customers are in the know when it comes to African and West African fabrics, and that’s why we use our…
The Enduring Beauty of Brocade
From its origins in the middle ages, brocade has always been a highly sought after material – particularly by the nobility. It is an intricately decorative fabric, created by shuttle…
Everything You Need to Know About Gele
Head ties are a common garment that is worn in a number of different countries in Africa. However, due to the diversity on the continent and the number of different…
Batik – An Ancient Technique Inspiring The Latest Trends
There are few techniques of making clothing in the world older than Batik. From as far back at the 4th Century B.C. it was used in Ancient Egypt and eventually…
Be bold with African wax printing
African clothing and fashion is mostly light and airy, but able to make a big statement. West African clothing is among the brightest on the continent, and this is largely…
African Fashion Week is coming to London this August but are vloggers setting the trends now?
This year, African Fashion Week London is going to be bigger than ever. The annual event started in 2011 and is now host to over 300 designers and almost 45,000…
Metallic jacquard: luxury redefined
There are few more exotic fabrics in this world than metallic jacquard. Lustrous, textured and highly ornate, it is generally worn at special occasions to make the kind of impact…
Use African Fabrics to Their Full Effect
Traditional African fabrics, such as Ankara or wax prints, are most well known for their use in dresses, shirts and head wraps. However, there is so much more you…
West African Cloth: What do the Colours Really Mean?
Native to the Akan people of southern Ghana, kente cloth has also become popular amongst the Akans of the Ivory Coast, and in many other West African countries. Kente cloth…
George Fabric: A Vibrant Staple of West African Wear
In a strain of fashion not short of colourful fabrics, brash garments and eye-popping designs, George fabric stands out as one of the most vibrant textiles of all. Though…
How to Accessorise a Bold Print
West African fabrics are famed for their bright colours and bold prints. From Super Wax and Jacquard to Guipure Lace, the fabric options are as numerous as the patterns and…
Choosing African Fabrics for Baby Slings
For babywearing parents, almost limitless inspiration can be found in images of African mothers, wrapping their babies close in beautiful patterned fabrics as they go about their day. Wraps for…
La Sape Style
In Cameroon and Congo, men’s fashion is a serious business. Since the late 1990s, a fashion phenomenon of dandyism, or La Sape, has swept these African nations. It can be…
What are Super Wax Prints?
Super Wax prints boast vibrant colours and striking, multicoloured designs that look deceptively modern. It’s a style of fabric that’s popular across much of Africa, including the Congo, the Ivory…
Choose African Jewellery to Complete Your African Look!
African Fashion is celebrated across the globe and the diverse colours, cloths, styles and selections are complemented by the jewellary. Stand out today!
A Short Guide to Gorgeous Guipure Lace
Guipure lace is a staple of African fashion and popular throughout the world for it’s intricate design and hard wearing quality. Read about it’s origins here!
Choosing the Perfect Headgear
West African head gear is famed throughout the world. Choosing the right head wear to suit you and the occasion is essential!
How to Wear African Fashion
The bright and bold look of African fashion may not be for everyone but with a bit of direction you’ll see it’s influence in fashion generally around the globe.
What is Aso Oke?
Aso Oke with it’s vibrant colours and fresh cotton feel is a favourite in West African and Nigerian fashion. Find out more about this timeless piece.
New Zealand’s Africa Fashion Festival
Have you heard of African Fashion Festival in New Zealand? Nor had we… That’s why we urge you to help support initiatives like this that show such passion. Have a read about it here.
5 Ways To Wear West African Shoes
At Empire Textiles, we’re very aware that for a lot of women, finding the right shoes and bag to match an outfit can be tricky. So why not start…
Seasonal Styles and West African Clothing
African fashion may be associated with sunshine and bright days but there are colours and styles to suit the whole calendar year. Here’s a few ideas!
Choosing the West African Style for your Wedding
This blog has talked before about West African bridal attire… but what about clothes for the guests? Read this blog for ideas!
A Brief History of African Clothing
African clothing has a vibrant and interesting history to match its bright and bold textiles. This history is thought to stretch back 75,000 years! Although tracking the evolution of African…
What is Swiss Voile?
Swiss voile is a favourite material: It’s versatile and popular with men and women alike. But what makes voile different to other materials, and how did it become such an important part of African fashion?
Be the best dressed at an African Wedding
African weddings are a time to celebrate the eccentricities that are prevalent in the roots of this rich culture. Here are some tips on what you could achieve with the right fabrics and accessories…
7 ways to Wear your West African Head-Tie!
Struggling with finding out how to tie a West African Head tie? Let us help you and showcase some of the designs that make them so popular!
Complete your West African Outfit with Matching Shoes and a Bag!
Whether you’ve chosen to wear the dramatic geometric patterns of Vlisco Exclusive Super-Wax fabrics, or a delicate voile lace style, your outfit isn’t complete without the right matching handbag…
How can I incorporate African style into Western fashion?
African fashion is well known for it’s bright, vibrant, large than life colours and designs. Maybe it’s time we all started incorporating a little bit of West African into our everyday wear!
Lace: not just for celebrations
West African Fashion and Lace are very much connected. Whether Swiss, Austrian or Viole the vibrant colours and patterns are sure to suit any occasion. Read more here!
The Crowning Glory of Gele
No African outfit is complete without a stunning gele. This piece of West African head gear should compliment the outfit – But you can read more about the origins of the cloth here!
How do I still Wear West African Prints Throughout Autumn and Winter?
Though we associate West African Fashion and fabrics with hot winter days, winter is catered for too. The colour you choose is up to you!
Fashion Week Africa a Fresh Success
African Fashion is taking over. Back in October, Fashion Week Africa showcased why African style, designers and models are the future. Read more here!
West African clothing: choosing colours to suit your personality!
West African clothing is known for being vibrant, colourful and unique with each garment reflecting the wearers personality. But what do the colours say about you?
What’s the History Behind Holland Gold Wax fabrics?
While you may know and recognise the distinct look and feel of Holland Gold Wax fabrics, you may not know the interesting history behind the fabrics and the companies who produce it. Read more to find out!
Standard Chic Dress Code For A Vibrant Night Life
There are many ways a club may present their theme and of course when you show up you want to look your absolute best. It’s important as a fashionable party…
Great African Inspired Statement Necklaces And Pairings
Statement necklaces can make an old boring outfit look stunning. They are a perfect accessory to pair with a simple outfit for a day or night out. I recently developed…
What Makes A Fashion African?
With African designers are now settling permanently in their design roles globally and the words ‘African fashion’ are encrypted on virtually anything on the Lagos streets, the meaning of ‘African…
The African Fabric Is Dutch
THE NETHERLANDS, HELMOND-internet connectivity across Africa can be very slow but this has not hindered more than 9,000 affluent young women from different African states to meet online and discuss…
Dare To Wear Love!
Dare to wear love? In the depths of Africa, the HIV scourge has left many mothers without husbands. These women struggle on, day in day out with the burden of…
African Textiles From UK To US
Textiles and African fabrics are always in a state of evolution, and in recent years this has increased dramatically. Today, a great number of mainstream creations are based on the…
Love African Fabric? Want To Start A Label?
Being a talented designer doesn’t always mean that you will understand how to start your own fashion label. Starting as well as running a label requires a certain amount…
The Best African Textiles & Knits For Summer
It’s 2014 and summer is upon us, the worlds is refreshing itself and lavishing us with a wondrous amount of hues and tones, why not greet the summer heat…
Fassaler Scores A Hit For African Fashion At Mercedes –Benz Fashion Week
Marianne Fassler is no stranger to the word of fashion and has put forth her efforts to create a new line of stunning creations that bring the tradition of the…
Starting Out As A Designer? Here Are Some Things You Should Know
Fashion is something that isn’t bound by society, culture, or even economics. It is truly a form of art. If you have dreamed of becoming a designer, you should know…

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