THE AFRICAN SHIRT COMPANY

afrodiaspores: Jodie, Edwin, and Larry, for the London College...

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:30:37 -0400

Jodie, Edwin, and Larry, for the London College of Fashion magazine “Pigeons and Peacocks” by Saga Sigurdardottir, 2011. The cloth speaks KiKongo, French, and Portuguese:

African wax print fabrics tell a story about global politics, culture, and economy that’s as colorful as the prints themselves. The short version of its history goes like this: the Dutch learned about batik from the Indonesians and imitated this process, hoping to factory-produce similar fabric at a cheaper price…[T]heir success would have run the local, traditional artisans out of business, but the Indonesians turned up their noses at the Dutch copies, preventing such a fate. Then, laden with unsold fabrics, Dutch ships found a market for their product in another portion of their trade route: the African “gold coast” (Ghana). The rest is Euro-African history. For over 150 years Dutch wax fabrics have not only reigned in the textile market of West Africa but their popularity quickly spread South and East, into Central Africa, including…DR Congo.

Yes, you heard right: Dutch wax cloth was produced by Europeans imitating Asians but sold to Africans—talk about a global marketplace. What makes these fabrics African, then, is not who produces them but how they are used and who gives them social value.

rosesjoy: guavha: live-to-dreamm: my elephant drawing hi...

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:25:25 -0400

rosesjoy:

guavha:

live-to-dreamm:

my elephant drawing

hi loves i hope you have an amazing day! :)

any new followers can self promote in my inbox to thousands yayy xoxox

queued x

#theafricanshirtcompany #red #bike #africanshirt #swag #cool...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:31:29 -0400

#theafricanshirtcompany #red #bike #africanshirt #swag #cool #paris #african #africanshirt #whiteshoes #redbike #africanfashion #mensfashion #fashion

And again what amazing way to get your african shirt styled for...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:25:00 -0400

And again what amazing way to get your african shirt styled for the summer. #theafricanshirtcompany #africanshirt #african #fashion #photoshoot #paris #mensfashion #yellow (at Paris )

More from the shoot, #theafricanshirtcompany #kenya #pattern...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:23:00 -0400

More from the shoot, #theafricanshirtcompany #kenya #pattern #paris #africanprint #african #africanshirt #blue #photoshoot (at Paris )

Photo shoot in metropolition magazine using out shirts. Check...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:20:00 -0400

Photo shoot in metropolition magazine using out shirts. Check out www.theafricanshirtcompany.com to buy this shirt. #fashion #kenya #pairs #theafricanshirtcompany #orange #africa #african #africanshirt #africanprint #metropolitannmagazine (at Paris )

Elizabeth

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:15:56 -0400

Elizabeth

Photo

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:07:15 -0400

More Than Trees How do trees solve so many problems? check out...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:04:40 -0400

More Than Trees

How do trees solve so many problems?

check out this video for an insight into the importance of trees in Kenya.

The Challenge

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:58:40 -0400

The Challenge

studioafrica: L A U R E N C E A I R L I N E See more from this...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:26:21 -0400

studioafrica:

L A U R E N C E A I R L I N E

See more from this French-Ivorian label on Studio Africa

Photo

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:27:30 -0400

Amazing new african shirt on @sparkledancehan on the move....

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:51:23 -0400

Amazing new african shirt on @sparkledancehan on the move. #flowers #theafricanshirtcompany #photoshoot #fashion #kanga #kenya #africanprint #african (at The African Shirt Company HQ)

The bright fabric seen here is what our great african shirts are...

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:12:22 -0400

The bright fabric seen here is what our great african shirts are made of. Check out the website www.theafricanshirtcompany.com to shop (at The African Shirt Company, kenya)

The beautiful mammas collection food aid in the village. Love...

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 04:10:32 -0400

The beautiful mammas collection food aid in the village. Love the kangas! (at The African Shirt Company, kenya)

As always Jackson was in great form at the photoshot. ...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:08:19 -0400

As always Jackson was in great form at the photoshot. #theafricanshirtcompany.com (at London Town )

I think the dog is loving the pictures as much as Jackson!...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:03:27 -0400

I think the dog is loving the pictures as much as Jackson! #theafricanshirtcompany #dog #african #kenya #kanga #pattern #africanprint (at London Town )

Pattern crazy, Jackson was totally distracted by the big passing...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:57:50 -0400

Pattern crazy, Jackson was totally distracted by the big passing by during the photo shoot. #theafricanshirtcompany #kenya #pattern #africanprint #african #london #fun (at London Town )

London style. #theafricanshirtcompany #fashion #london #hipster...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:55:51 -0400

London style. #theafricanshirtcompany #fashion #london #hipster #dog #african #africanprint #africanshirt (at London Town )

This little one is so cute… Collection water. Check out...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:41:41 -0400

This little one is so cute… Collection water. Check out www.theafricanshirtcompany.com to learn more about our project. #water #kenya #african #africa #theafricanshirtcompany #cute (at The African Shirt Company, kenya)