Fashion in Tanzania: The Kanga and Its Messages
The kanga, a printed cotton cloth carrying Swahili proverbs, is closely linked to Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Fashion in Liberia: Quilting, Designers and a Shift Towards West African Style
Liberia’s fashion mixes a quilting heritage with designers drawing on West African styles.
Fashion in Lesotho: The Basotho Blanket and Seshoeshoe
The Basotho blanket and seshoeshoe cotton define Lesotho’s traditional dress.
Fashion in Eswatini: Emahiya and Beadwork
Eswatini’s emahiya cloth and beaded jewellery lie at the heart of its traditional dress.
Fashion in The Gambia: Head Ties, Kaftans and Everyday Elegance
How head ties and the mbahana cap shape traditional dress in The Gambia.
Fashion in Seychelles: Kazak, Penwar and the Search for a National Costume
Seychelles’ traditional kazak and penwar, and the island nation’s quest for a national costume.
Fashion in Cape Verde: The Story of the Pano di Terra
Cape Verde’s hand-woven pano di terra cloth, from its 15th-century origins to modern slow fashion.
Fashion in Mauritius: Saris, Sega Skirts and a Textile Story
Mauritian dress reflects its many communities, and its apparel industry has a notable export history.
Fashion in Kenya: Kanga, Kitenge and Maasai Shuka
From the message-bearing kanga to Maasai-inspired sportswear, Kenyan style is rich in colour and meaning.
Fashion in Ethiopia: Shemma, Habesha Kemis and the Netela
Ethiopia’s woven shemma cotton, white habesha kemis dresses and symbolic netela shawls.