Tag: African print

African Fashion has always been sustainable

Posted on by Juliet Ajaab

In recent years, the global fashion industry has undergone a significant shift towards sustainability. Many consumers and brands alike are recognising the importance of eco-conscious practices. Amidst this movement, African fashion stands out as a beacon of sustainability, and has been doing so for decades! Here are four compelling reasons why African fashion is naturally sustainable.

Locally Sourced Materials


African fashion embraces the use of locally sourced materials, supporting local economies and reducing carbon footprints. From organic cotton and handwoven textiles to natural dyes derived from indigenous plants, African designers prioritise materials that are abundant and accessible within their communities. Fabrics like Kente, Fugu, Oso Oke have been woven on the continent for centuries and continue to stay in active use. By sourcing locally, African fashion minimises the environmental impact associated with long-distance transportation and promotes sustainable livelihoods for local artisans and sellers. Even though a lot of wax print fabric used in African fashion is produced in Europe and Asia, most designers prefer to source these materials from local merchants which helps the industry to grow.

Artisanal Craftsmanship


At the heart of African fashion lies a tradition of artisanal craftsmanship passed down through generations. Skilled artisans employ age-old techniques such as hand weaving, hand-dyeing, and beadwork to create intricately crafted garments and accessories. This emphasis on artisanal production not only preserves cultural heritage but also promotes sustainable practices. By prioritising craftsmanship over mass production, African fashion celebrates slow fashion principles, fostering a deeper connection between consumers and the clothing they wear while reducing waste and promoting longevity.

Popular use of sustainable fabrics:


African fashion designers have long embraced cotton fabric as a staple material in their creations. This preference contributes greatly to the industry’s inherent sustainability. Cotton, being a natural fibre, is biodegradable and renewable, aligning perfectly with eco-conscious practices. By incorporating cotton into their designs, through wax print fabrics African fashion designers not only celebrate the continent’s rich heritage but also champion sustainable fashion by prioritising materials that are both environmentally friendly and socially responsible.

Up-cycling and Repurposing


African fashion embraces the ethos of up-cycling and repurposing, giving new life to discarded materials and vintage fabrics. Designers creatively transform waste materials such as plastic bags, old garments, and reclaimed textiles into unique and stylish pieces, reducing landfill waste and minimising the demand for new resources. This innovative approach to design not only reduces environmental impact but also celebrates creativity and resourcefulness, challenging traditional notions of beauty and luxury.

African fashion’s commitment to sustainability is woven into its very fabric, reflecting a deep reverence for nature, community, and tradition. By embracing locally sourced materials, artisanal craftsmanship, upcycling and repurposing, and cultural preservation, African fashion sets a powerful example for the global industry, proving that style and sustainability can coexist harmoniously.

The power of the African fashion industry on the continent

Posted on by Juliet Ajaab

The African fashion industry has been on the rise in recent years, and it is becoming increasingly recognized on the global stage. African fashion is known for its vibrant colors, bold prints, and unique designs that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the continent. The industry is not only contributing to the cultural heritage of Africa but also has numerous benefits for Africans, including economic empowerment, job creation, and a sense of pride in their heritage.

Economic Benefits

One of the most significant benefits of the African fashion industry is its potential for economic empowerment. The fashion industry is a significant contributor to the African economy, with the potential to create jobs and generate income. The industry has also attracted significant investment from local and international companies, leading to the creation of new businesses and opportunities for African entrepreneurs. The industry has the potential to provide employment opportunities for millions of people in Africa, particularly in rural areas where job opportunities are scarce. Fashion brands in Africa that export their products also make a lot of income in foreign currency that supports their countries.

Promoting African Culture

Another benefit of the African fashion industry is that it promotes African culture and heritage. African fashion is deeply rooted in the continent’s cultural history and reflects the diversity and richness of its people. Through fashion, Africans can showcase their traditions and customs to the world and create a sense of pride in their heritage. African fashion is not only a form of expression but also a celebration of the continent’s past and present.

Promoting sustainability

The African fashion industry has also been instrumental in promoting social and environmental sustainability. Many African fashion brands are focused on using sustainable materials and production methods that minimize their impact on the environment. They also prioritize fair labor practices and support local communities through various initiatives. By prioritizing sustainability, African fashion brands are setting an example for the global fashion industry, which has long been criticized for its negative environmental and social impact.

In conclusion, the African fashion industry has numerous benefits for Africans, including economic empowerment, cultural promotion, and environmental sustainability. The industry has the potential to create employment opportunities, attract investment, and showcase the richness and diversity of African culture to the world. African fashion has come a long way, and it is exciting to see its continued growth and impact on the continent and beyond.

Ankara African Print fabric names and meanings we love

Posted on by Juliet Ajaab

African print fabric often also referred to as Ankara often have very interesting names and meanings. Each cloth comes with a unique piece of history that is worth knowing. We don’t design or select fabric based on their names or meanings but sometimes the influence happens even unconsciously. Below are some of our designs and the names of the the prints we used to make them.

Obaaba

This is a word in Twi, a local language in Ghana. It means a good woman. We absolutely love this print. The pattern’s main symbol kind of looks like something in between a flower and the atom molecule symbol in science. Science and flowers are a weird combination but if you consider science to be the study of nature maybe we could have something here.

In our Zedi top on the right below, the print we used had a pretty feminine twist to it with one side being very floral and the whole thing being a bright pink and turquoise colour. Click here to buy this top!

Fish Scale

Just like the name this cloth if you look carefully you will notice some kind of scaly pattern. The name of this cloth is straight to the point and very visual. These type of names are easy to remember.

Our Fisa collection featured this cloth. Read more about our Fisa collection here if you haven’t already. The collection is a reminder to all of us to enjoy the little things in life. This inspiration came to us during the rough pandemic centered year, 2020. Since fish scales are rough it fits in so perfectly! Shop for this shirt here.

Hibiscus

This is an oldie but goldie. Growing up the hibiscus flower was very popular especially in Tamale in northern Ghana. This cloth also has a visual name like the Fish Tail cloth. Even though it’s not a modern print it has become popular over the years. My guess it’s because of its white background which is quite rare in African wax print cloths.

Our Zedi shirt dress is super fun and girly. It’s certainly pretty like as hibiscus flower and we gave it white raglan sleeves to accentuate the white background in the African print cloth. Click here to buy this dress.

Pepper leaf

The pepper leaf cloth is a very popular African Ankara print cloth. Like most of these prints it comes in a wide range of colours. The cloth has many leaf elements or symbols in different shapes and styles. Even though there’s no symbol of pepper in the cloth my guess it’s called the pepper leaf because of the size of the leaves. Pepper leaves tend to be pretty small.

Our shirt in the pepper leaf print is super simple but fun! We chose a friendly colour for men and chose earth tones. Isn’t it a spicy shirt? Order one here.

The household gravel

The household gravel is an extremely popular African print fabric and one of our favourites! This cloth is so versatile. We have used it for both men and women’s clothes. Like the name implies the print looks like gravel stones of different sizes all lined up nicely.

We love to design with this cloth and I honestly don’t see us stopping anytime soon. You can shop for our sky blue household gravel shirt here. Shop for our top here and our fun dress here.

Zedi Christmas collection 2020, Fisa

Posted on by Juliet Ajaab

Christmas is such a happy time. Even if you don’t celebrate it at least you appreciate the holidays right? We are so excited to announce that our new collection will be coming out soon! It’s no , it’s been a while since we released some fresh designs so we are giving you 8 really adorable pieces of clothing! We have a few things to share about this collection called the Fisa Christmas Collection.

Photo by KoolShooters on Pexels.com

The Fisa Christmas Collection

First and foremost it’s called the Fisa Christmas collection. Fisa in Buli, a language in the Upper Eastern region of Ghana means little. Don’t worry this doesn’t mean the collection is made up of 3 clothes. We called it Fisa because this year, 2020 has made us appreciate the little things in life we take for granted that truly matter. The pandemic and so many things that happened in 2020 was a big eye opener to everyone in the world.

We had take for granted things like being able to go out without lockdowns, breathing without masks, the ability to comfortably touch, hug and be close to people.

We are strong together

The Fisa Christmas collection is made up of 8 beautiful items of clothing with strong and confident prints! All over the world people have come together to achieve so much. One person is little but it takes many one persons to form a strong force. When there was a massive explosion we witnessed how many people came from all over Lebanon to help. These random acts of kindness is what makes us human.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Black lives really matter

When George Floyd was killed by Police in America the Black Lives Matter movement took to the streets to protest because they had had enough. It was heartbreaking watching the video of how Floyd was handled by the police officers. In our Fisa collection we couldn’t help but be influenced by this gross injustice! The one single colour that runs through our collection is black. Black lives matter and black is very beautiful and must be respected.

Photo by Life Matters on Pexels.com

Limited edition pieces

We have a number of pieces in the Christmas collection that are available in limited quantities and will not be reproduced. We strongly recommend buying anything you like immediately you see it on our shop page.

The release date of the Zedi Christmas collection is Monday 14th December, 2020. Also, for this month December we are offering free gift boxes and free delivery as well. Double awesomeness right?! Who is ready?

How to care for African wax print fabric

Posted on by Juliet Ajaab

So you have bought a beautiful African wax print or Ankara dress, top or shirt. It probably did not come with care instructions so how do you care for it? How do you wash and dry it? Can you bleach it? Is it dry clean only? Don’t worry too much, we have all the answers. You can learn more about African print fabric here.

Photo Credit – Voice of Nigeria

African wax print fabric is often printed on cotton fabric. This automatically means that caring for it is not going to break your bank. You can put your dry cleaning money away, or better yet spend it at our shop here! When it comes for caring for your wax print garment we will split it into three parts. That is washing, drying and ironing. Let’s start with washing, shall we?

Washing African wax print garments

Before you wash your beautiful bright garment test to see if the colour runs so you wash it with similar colours or separately. This is not necessary for quality fabric but it’s always best to keep it safe. Contrary to popular belief African wax print fabric can be washed with a washing machine. Don’t mind people who say otherwise. It is true that hand washing is a good idea but only because this way you can show more love to your garments and not over wash them. 

For machine washing keep the water cool and set the machine to a gentle wash setting. Remember that Ankara fabric is more of a t-shirt type of cotton than a pair of jeans. Always remember to use a very mild detergent when washing. Harsh detergents cause the fabric to fade a lot quicker over time. African print fabric is made using wax and soaps that are loaded with chemicals can easily cause the fabric to lose its colour so using bleach is an absolute no no! Don’t be that guy, use mild soap. 

Photo Credit – zegist.com

Drying your Ankara clothing

When the washing is done always rinse your garments thoroughly with clean water to get all the soap out. You can dry by hand on a line or by machine as well. A spin dry will never damage your fabric neither will tumble drying. The old fashion way of drying your garment on the line in the sun is just fine too. The only thing to note here is to avoid keeping clothes on the line in the sun for too long. The sun can be very harsh. Most African print garments will dry within 5 hours on a sunny day. 

Ironing African wax print garments

Ironing is the easiest part when it comes to caring for African print clothing. No special settings are needed. The cotton fabric takes heat pretty well because it is a natural fibre. With a little bit of steam your ironing will be done in no time! If your garment has applique, rhinestones or beads ironing can be a bit tricky but for normal clothing it’s a walk in the park. Creases smoothen out pretty easily and so you can comfortably do without fabric spray. Having a steam iron is a plus though. Most African print clothes can not easily be straightened with just a regular steamer so ironing is recommended. 

So there you have it, how to care for your African wax print or ankara clothes. We have heard some stories about this fabric lasting longer when salt is used in the water when washing garments? We can’t really tell how true this is though. Have you tried this before? What was the result? We would love to know! To shop at our store please click here!

Spicy Friday Wear Ideas

Posted on by Juliet Ajaab

When the Friday wear initiative was started many years ago in Ghana, a lot of local designers and clothing makers were excited. For one day in the week, that’s Friday workers all over the country were to wear something made in Ghana to work. A number of people imagined workers walking around in frumpy clothes made with local prints but the fashion forward people showed how exciting this could be. Fast forward to today many workers are looking their best on Fridays. If you are clueless on how to make this work here are some spicy ideas.

 

A cool print shirt with trousers
For men you can’t go wrong with a nicely tailored print shirt with a pair of plain trousers. To keep it fresh and professional opt for dark or neutral colours. Too many colours can easily make you look like you are going for a beach party. The navy blue Tagri shirt is a good choice for Friday wear. To buy one click here.


African print blazer

Interestingly enough this trend works for both men and women pretty nicely. It’s always awesome to have a blazer or jacket made of African print. Nothing says formal and African like it. To make this outfit flawless stick to solid coloured clothing for everything else besides the blazer like trousers, skirts and inner shirts. With so many types of blazer styles women can rock this trend is filled with endless ideas. A peplum blazer, sleeves blazer are just a few ideas to set the ball rolling for you. Zedi makes blazers on a custom made basis. Click here to order one.

 

Smock and smock inspired clothes

The smock from Northern Ghana has made its way into fashion in recent times after ex presidents and the current second lady Samira Bawumia presented their versatility to us. A full smock is awesome for Friday wear as all you need to wear with it are trousers. If your office ac is overzealous at least the smock will keep you warm. Talk about functionality. Smock inspired clothes are also very in vogue at the moment like shirts and dresses with a bit of the unique woven fabric. Zedi has a wide range of smock inspired shirts and dresses. Click here to go to our shop.


Friday wear doesn’t have to be boring or frumpy. With these tips you can bring your A game to the office the next time it’s Friday and ‘chop some fans’ 😁 What’s your favorite Friday outfit?