Ankara goes mainstream: Gwen Stefani’s Spring 2011 L.A.M.B Collection

September 21, 2010 in 1960 Haute,Fashion 'Teefah with 2 Comments

This past week gone by, the eyes of every stylist, magazine editor, starlet & fashionista have been firmly focused on the just concluded New York Fashion Week, for the Spring trends that will be gracing the red carpets and sidewalks in 2011. Gwen Stefani closed the week with a 47 piece collection that featured a parade of dresses, trousers, and tops most of which were in Ankara fabric…”tribal print” is what they are calling it…smh.

I’m so tired of non-African’s (American’s especially) taking our creations and profitting off them, for decades tailors in Lagos, Accra & Cotonou have worked with Wax Print (Ankara) designing amazing pieces from scratch, and for WAY cheaper. In recent times labels like Jewel by Lisa, Lanra DaSilva to name a few have reworked ankara, making them more wearable and contemporary.

No hate on Gwen, I love the chick, she’s one of my all time fave fashion icons and I’m beyond pleased African fashion is finally getting some shine but I’d have preferred if it was the actual African ankara masters (the smaller labels) who were getting the recognition.

That being said the collection looks good, even though Gwen made a major fashion faux pas in that jacket and pants combo (1st picture)….mis-matched prints are not the way to go love…I know you’re all about mixing & matching but you gotta know when to STOP!

I can’t lie sha…I’m loving the strapless ruffle dresses…hmm

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