Angelina is not the Dashiki nor is it an African Print

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The times they are a-changin’.

This post seems to be older than 6 years—a long time on the internet. Dated info and offers may no longer apply. Some technical info might be outdated. Please feel free to post a comment with any updated info .

DUTCH  Wax Print is Authentic  African? Really? What part of that oxymoron makes one want to fight for this fabric. a colleague, Monique Nubia Sunshine Siders of Kush Designs commented on a FB post from which the image was screenshot.

” If you really do your research you will realize this is not true traditional African print/garb. So before we get up in arms about mainstream pulling this print know exactly what African garb truly is…”

This is not a trifling matter … rather it is some SERIOUS misinformation that is being left unchecked. I have no problem with ANYONE using the print… but it is no more “African” than a “madras” or “Tartan” plaid both of which appear as “heritage” textile within the diaspora

Yet again I saw someone who had not checked, make a comment that “influenced what many believed… 1.2k shares and 2,033 shares later how can we stem the viral effect of this. How many have a misguided knowledge?

That belief is reinforced by Black designers, retailers, and labels who use this  textile without properly educating the consumer.

As I commented  on the post.

What’s sad, many of us are so LOST we have no clue as to what is African, What is “ours” and so fight to own what colonialism fed us. So bit of history. The copyright on this fabric is owned by Dutch company , colonial masterswho saw Africa as a dumping ground for a fabric the original market did not want the ankara.  The Angelina was design by Vlisco, circa 1967,  using a technique the essentially appropriated from Indonesians. When the Indonesian market refused the rip off theydiscovered African liked it. The companies that make it are Dutch companies who hold maufacturing plants in Africa, and Asian companies.   this print the Angelina was designed circa 1967 and the angelina was adopted by the revolutonaries of that era…

To date, I cannot find one 100% African print company that makes a version of these.

As number a couple of ill-informed commenters decided to “Challenge” my knowledge of Fabrics, I pulled together this list for them to do their own research.  FYI Both Monique and I  are Black Fashion Designers, with training and industry  experience, who are proud of, and study our culture and history.

Articles to read for your own research

For those who want to LEARN about Pan African Fashion Design, please check where several of us have compiled info to EDUCATE! https://www.facebook.com/groups/capfashion/search/?query=%23textiles&hc_location=ufi

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Posted in Masters of the Arts, Rethinking sourcing.