The modernisation of the Kaftan!

The kaftan or caftan is a simple garment that has been worn for thousands of years by both men and women. Kaftans can be plain, striped, or decorated - the rustic garment of a peasant, or a magnificent robe fit for a sultan. Kaftans trace their history back to the middle-easten countries. They have been worn for centuries and evolved over time.

 

Long associated with Islamic culture, the kaftan became popular in the West during the late 1960's and 70's when interest in comfortable clothing and ethnic styles made it a popular Bohemian style and an icon of the hippie movement.

 

 

The Western concept of the kaftan has come to describe a garment that is basically a large, rectangular piece of fabric, folded with a neck hole in the center, and stitching up the sides, leaving room for arms. Necklines can be squared, rounded, or V-neck. The V neck variety often features decorated or embroidered edging similar to a dashiki. Kaftans can be button fronted, belted, or drawn at or above the waist with a drawstring.

 

 

 

 

 

Today, the kaftan is back in a big way, popping up at Fashion Weeks and offering men & women comfort, modesty, and glamor.

 

xoxo

 

 

The summer maxi dress - gorgeous african fashion!

Afrokulcha's maxi dress has hit the fashion world by storm. It is chic, it is playful but serious and it is casual & smart at the same time!

 

 

Need I say more??

 

 

xoxo

The beautiful South African sishweshwe fabric!

The formal name for "shweshwe" is ‘Indigo-dyed discharge printed fabric’. Historians claim that indigo cloth arrived in Africa nearly more than 2000 years ago, used as trade goods by the Arabs and Indians. But it really took off in South Africa when German settlers introduced it to the Xhosa people in the mid-1800s.

 

Shweshwe is a stiff cotton fabric that initially came from India and was heavily starched to fight off the damp in the ships’ storage compartments as it crossed the ocean to the Eastern Cape. Xhosa women took a look at these wondrous bolts of cloth, fell in love with the shweshwe fabric and made it their own.

Described as the denim of South Africa, shweshwe, the pure cotton fabric in multiple patterns and colours produced exclusively in the Eastern Cape province, is worn by women in every cranny of the country.

 

 

 

South African jewel is certainly taking over the world!

 

xoxo

 

 
 

The Fabulous West African Gele!

What is a "Gele"? Gele pronounced "gaye lay" is an African head wrap/head-tie that has its roots in the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria, West Africa. This female head wrap, usually worn at occasions such as weddings, is used specifically as an ornamental head covering or fashion accessory.

A "Gele" is a flat piece of fabric. Not just any kind of fabric but typically Aso Oke (Jean-like fabric), Brocade (Starched Cotton fabric), African Print, Paper-like fabric with plain or bold patterns, Damask (heavily patterned Paper-like, Velvet-like fabric), wrapped by hand to form a hat-like looking structure!

 

The fabric can vary in texture and length. To make the "gele"  look great, it needs to have a very strong base.

Africans looking fabulous! Don't you just agree?

 

xoxo

Kente Cloth - The pride of Africa

"KENTE" is a brilliantly colourful fabric, entirely hand-woven from Ghana. The brilliant colours and intricate designs associated with Kente have definitely made this fabric the best known of all Ghanaian, and perhaps even all West African, textiles. Every design has a story with a proverbial meaning, giving each cloth its own distinction.

 

In its cultural context of use, "KENTE" is more than just a fabric. Like most of Africa's visual art forms, Kente is a visual representation of history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, religious belief, social values and political thought. Originally, its use was reserved for Royalty and limited to special social and sacred functions!

 

 

 

There are over 300 different types of KENTE cloth designs, each with its name & meaning. Each cloth design comes with numerous variations-in colour. There are gender differences in colour preferences, dictated by tradition, individual aesthetic taste and by spirit of the occasion!

 

 

You have to admit, this is by far, one of the best creations Africa must be proud of.

 

xoxo

 





Afro-fashion for everyday, not only traditional weddings & functions!

African prints are in, not only are they gorgeous but they are ever lasting! Gone are the days when people use to ONLY wear African prints to traditional functions & weddings. African fashion can be worn any day (night & day), so expand your wardrobe and add in, a touch of afrofashion in your day to day life. With the weather cooperating, at Afrokulcha, we have for you these fabulous summer items.

Make it your first step to incorporating African print in your wardrobe....

Peplum off-the-shoulder boobtube top - available for R480

Crop jackets available in blue, pink and grey - on sale for R350

Denim dress with a touch of print - available for R650

Summer Fun dress - available in your choice of fabric R650

High-waist flair skirt available for R550

One shoulder dress - for R850

All Afrokulcha fashion items can be made available in any choice of colour fabric to suit your mood.

That's how we roll...

Email us: info@afrokulcha.com

xoxo

Who said festive season starts in December?

Seriously... who said festive season starts in December? As long as it is summer - festivities will commence! Besides all the summer fun, it is that season to shop shop shop. The season for giving. Afrokulcha will make buying gifts for family and friends as easy as ABC and as musical on your pocket as DO RE MI....

Look out for our promo, ... BUY a minimum of 5 gifts for under R1000!

 

 

 

AND of cos, for those who prefer to let the recipient do the choosing....

 

 

Your festive season start now, buy at www.afrokulcha.com and be Afro-fabulous!

 

xoxo