Kente styles: Taking fashion from Ghana to the world

Kente styles are trendy. They are one of the main fashion exports out of Africa to the rest of the world.

Adire styles: moving fashion from old to new school

The kente fabric is originally from West Africa, Ghana to be precise. But before we go full swing on this a bit of history lesson will definitely not be out of place.

Kente is a Ghanaian textile, made of handwoven cloth, strips of silk and cotton. Historically the fabric was worn in a toga-like fashion by royalty among ethnic groups such as the Ashanti and Ewe.

It is also worn by queens, princesses and women of Dagbon. In modern day Ghana, the wearing of kente cloth has become widespread to commemorate special occasions, with highly sought after kente brands.

Due to the popularity of kente cloth patterns, kente print, which is a mass-produced version, is popular throughout the West. Globally, the print is used in the design of academic stoles in graduation ceremonies.

Weaving is done on a wooden loom in which multiple threads of dyed fabric are pressed together.

Weavers are typically apprenticed under a master weaver or company for a number of years before producing their own patterns. Rolls of cloth are then imprinted with a brand to signify authenticity.

Gender has an influence on cloth production. Weaving kente is traditionally considered a male practice.

So, the kente fabric is a major fashion export from Ghana to the world. It has evolved into a fashion masterpiece over the years to become something very iconic.

It is one of the fabric used to depict Africa in Hollywood or at other global platforms. So iconic and symbolic is the kente fabric, which is now truly African all the way.

Kente styles are key African export to the world.

These are part of Africa’s key contributions to the global fashion industry.