From the dawn of human civilization to the Middle Ages, gift wrappers were crafted from natural materials such as broad leaves, hollowed pumpkin shells, and woven baskets. As time progressed, people’s ingenuity led to the use of more refined materials like animal skins, wooden chests, boxes, glass and ceramics, and eventually, paper and silk, marking…
The Adire fabric and Kimono styles share some fascinating similarities, each with unique features. Both are traditional garments, with the Kimono originating from Japan and the Adire from western Nigeria. The Kimono, a garment with a centuries-old history, and the Adire, dating back to the 1800s, are synonymous with impeccable fashion taste and have travelled…
Sustainability has permeated every industry today, and the fashion industry is no exception. Sustainable fashion refers to how the fashion industry creates fashion pieces and how this industry respects and embraces the ethos of environmental sustainability and eco-friendliness, thereby contributing to a greener future. The fashion industry’s various sustainability concerns include the cost of raw…
Immerse yourself in the unparalleled and timeless allure of African prints, a signature in the global fashion arena. These prints transcend mere garments, extending to a diverse array of fashion items like bags, shoes, jewellery, and accessories. By owning a piece adorned with these prints, you’re not just following a trend. You’re becoming part of…
African print fabrics, introduced by Dutch merchants in the 19th century, were inspired by Indonesian designs and were adapted to African tastes. The term ‘Ankara’, a Hausa adaptation of ‘Accra ‘, the capital of Ghana, was the hub for selling these vibrant prints. This fusion of cultures and styles makes African Print Fabrics so fascinating. The Kente fabric,…
Skateboarders and graffiti artists in the 1970s adopted the hoodie as their attire of choice. At this time, these subcultures grew and expanded in the US. The graffiti culture flourished in the 1970s in New York, with crews like the Rolling Thunder Writers and artists like Lady Pink and Daze using the city as a…
The culture of the cyphers is as old as hip-hop and rap music. Through this art, many hip-hop legends gained popularity and became stars. To cypher means to rap in a competition where rappers form a tight circle where each person gets a moment in the spotlight. It is an art in freestyling where rappers…
Popular culture, otherwise known as pop culture, dates back to the 1950sand refers to instruments of mass appeal that have gained popularity over time. It reflects society, capturing the trends, attitudes, and values at the time. The most common pop-culture categories are movies, music, television, video games, sports, and social media. Popular culture also transcends…
Urbane Street culture, as we know it, is the education and enlightenment of the streets. Simply put, it is culture, art, style and expression that is crafted and created on the street. There are myriad expressions of street culture, including graffiti art, hip-hop music, DJing, breakdancing and hip-hop style, and these cultures have become integral…
The story of Queen Amina is a controversial one. However, some facts are clear: from her childhood, she took an interest in governance and the military and would be seen attending meetings while sitting on her grandfather’s lap. Her grandmother also caught her wielding a dagger when she was a child, indicating her natural inclination…