You would expect me to embark on tales of exploitation with such fury that it would negate the staunchest of pan African but I myself I’m not that concerned about the emaciated fashion world flirting with prints from the motherland. If it’s up to me they would have beautiful brown babies because after all once you go black you don’t go back right? I stated a little while ago that I’m trying to mix up classic African clothing with my regular wardrobe and while doing some research and shopping, I stumbled across the recurring trend of top designers using African prints and to some extend fabrics. I’m not fashionista enough to know if this is current or if this has been going on for a while but regardless its glee for my eyes.

The picture above features clothing from Louis Vuitton (Wave ya rag), Nolita and Gucci (BRRR) all of which are powerful fashion houses. But does this mean that the fashion world is finally appreciating the massive influence Africa bears up on it? I doubt it but this past summer I saw my non African Hombre (Zalveezy I see you) wearing a dashiki inspired garment. Usually when you see a dashiki on someone other than an African, it would be draped of the back of those tree hugging, Africa loving, Rastafarian, vegan, bare foot walking excruciatingly tedious people who root the clothing deep in the don’t section. So that does mean that our emaciated friend (fashion) has made it more accessible and fashionable for the non African? Yes! I call it the Diplo method: copy, alter and distribute to your following and cue…. praise. Vanity Fair described it as a “full-blown case of Afrophilia with zebra, python, and leopard, along with feathers, fringes, and bangles” domineering.

Versace did this… and called it ethnic, shame on you Gianni

Louis channelled Africa through supreme hotty Chanel Iman

Vanity Flair did this amazing animation with a Louis Vuitton bag, bangles, shoes, earrings, and ostrich-plume dress. And Tod’s large-scale python bag; Gucci printed-bandeau top.

All very feminine etc etc so my advice for the man dem is just to stick with the classic Dashiki, preferably as colourful as possible, complemented by a kofi hat. Be dapper folk and hopefully I will one day see you draped in such explicable mind boggling finesse as Olusegun Obasanjo.