growing up i attended an afrikan centered school where we were required to rock traditional afrikan clothing as part of our daily uniform. Most of the girls, including myself, wore lappas, which is roughly 2-3 yards of african cloth wrapped around the waist and worn as a skirt. I never got real fly with it, because i happened to be in my grunge stage at the time, which didn’t blend real well with afrikan clothing. though i did wear my camo field jacket, a lappa and combat boots very regularly. After i matriculated, i became much more aware of style aesthetics and had grown far past the idea of wearing a lappa everyday. Though i still adored african fabric and clothing, i wanted to rock it more fly, and less traditional. Incidentally on my first trip to afrika, senegal to be exact, i found a tailor who fashioned me a pair of afrikan print cargo pants!

More recently, what i’ve been looking for has been much easier to find. The fashion world has become enthralled with ethnic/afrikan fabric, the bold and colorful motifs found everywhere from Target to the backs of supermodels traipsing down the runways of New York fashion week. At first it annoyed me to no end. The cultural vampires had struck again, usurping the very culture that it sought to initially oppress. it still does annoy, but it has also helped in a twisted way. the same folks that used to turn up their noses at my colorful lappas and beaded bangles are now following a new fashion trend that boldly declares mama afrika as a fashion icon.

I have since enlisted a tailor stateside to create my fashionable machinations. i also diligently peruse the internet to find fly afrikan designers to fulfill my fly cultural needs. designers like tennille mcmillan of nakimuli clothing, hekima hapa of harriet’s by hekima, and boxing kitten are just a few of my fave designers that have captured my eye for flyness. this “trend” has a potentially powerful impact. What has started as a seemingly superficial fashion movement could inspire thousands of fashionistas to look beyond the surface and more deeply into a powerful cultural and historical legacy that has influenced the entire planet. next time you choose that fly ‘fit to rock, think for a moment. whose style aesthetic am i choosing to represent? it might make all the difference.