Out of West Africa

I’ve written about my love of ankara fabrics here before, and as several cities celebrate their fashion weeks this month and next, I’ve noticed that a number of labels are also obsessed with the vividly hued cloths with fantastical prints that are imported from West Africa. My two favorites are Boxing Kitten and Duro Olowu.

Boxing Kitten, headed by Maya Lake, who’s a native of New York, is a collection of sweet, flirty skirts, dresses, pants, and blouses that pair extremely feminine cuts and unexpected color combinations.

Duro Olowu, a Nigerian-British designer who’s a favorite of Vogue magazine, just had his first New York showing. His clothes are sleek, sexy, and manage to be a hybrid of couture and edgy street fashion. The colors are bold, the mismatching of the prints is startling, and the textures are luxurious. Both collections feel impromptu and effortless. Cultures are colliding, from Lagos and New York, to Accra and London.

Top photo via Chief of Affections