I have always loved pictures of the amazing places in Kenya. Even when asked where I want to spend my holiday, most times I’d just passively say Nairobi. I wasn’t sure what drew me to Kenya, but looking through pictures while putting this article together, I’ll have to say that subconscious just knows how to pull me closer to the things I love. Beaches are a happy place for me anytime, and I have even been jokingly saying that I’d love to have a beach side wedding. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something right? Hahaha….
CBN To Set To Revive Nigeria’s Textile Industry
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced plans to revive Nigeria’s textile industry, unveiling measures that will see the development achieved. To this effect, the CBN has placed a restriction on forex access to importers of textiles and other clothing materials into the country. Henceforth, importers of textile and textile materials will not be able to purchase foreign exchange from banks and Bureau de change as well as other operators in the official foreign exchange market.
The announcement was made by the CBN Governor, Mr. Emefiele, at a meeting with textile industry stakeholders which held in Abuja last week.
“Effective immediately, the CBN hereby place the access to FX for all forms of textile materials on the FX restriction list. Accordingly, all FX dealers in Nigeria are to desist from granting any importer of textile material access to FX in the Nigerian Foreign exchange market.”
According to Mr Emefiele, the restriction will boost the domestic textile industry as well as create jobs for Nigerians. He noted that the apex bank would initially support the importation of cotton lint for use in textile factories, with a caveat that such importers will begin to source their cotton needs locally beginning from 2020.
Cultural Appropriation: Should Western Brands Use African Prints?
What is Cultural Appropriation? According to the Cambridge dictionary, it is ‘the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture’ So my question to you guys is, is it appropriate for western brands such as the Stella McCartney to use Ankara/ African Wax prints in their designs or is it cultural appropriation? Where do we draw the line between appreciation and appropriation? And who decides this? But most importantly, does fashion have a cultural appropriation problem?
Since I began blogging in 2015, many top designers have faced accusations of cultural appropriation. In 2015 Isabel Marant was accused of plagiarising the traditional costume of a Mexican community, in 2016 Gucci faced a backlash for showing white models in Sikh-style turbans, in 2017 Vogue was criticized for a shoot in which model Karlie Kloss was dressed as a geisha and in 2018 Zara copied the designs of the famous brand Maxhosa by Laduma. I think it is pretty evident that we have a problem with cultural appropriation but would there be an industry without designers taking inspiration from other cultures? It’s a tough debate.
Dr Delice says “We are still living in a world where white people and institutions are much more powerful than black and brown people and their institutions.”
As much as I hate to say it this statement is 100 ad 10% true. The fact that it’s 2019 and POC are still underrepresented in the fashion world – particularly the luxury fashion world is extremely sad and heartbreaking. My problem with the fashion industry when it comes to the topic of cultural appropriation is the fact that they choose to hire Caucasian models rather than models of the culture that they’re appropriating. To me that is where we draw the line between appreciation and appropriation. I’m sure you would all agree. Why are the people that inspired your collection not representing it? To me it makes no sense. Second of all I believe that some sort of acknowledgement should be present such as donating a percentage of the profits to organisations in that area that inspired the pieces, it’s only fair.
Should Western brands use African Prints?
Personally I don’t see the problem with it AS LONG as they use BLACK AFRICAN MODELS. I feel like the world is so focused on becoming westernized that we’re constantly looking for approval from these countries yet when it comes to fashion they never ask for ours. Its so sad to me that we live in a society where African Designers are not given enough credit or recognition for their work and it is becoming so incredibly frustrating to see designers consistently working hard and pushing boundaries only for their work to be copied and stolen by much bigger global brands. But I can guarantee you that very soon Africa is going to take over the world and I ensure you I will have a front row seat in the changing of history in this thing we call the fashion industry.
This article was originally published by Ivis for CheckOut Africa on the 11th of February 2019
The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program 2019 With A Focus On Women Owned Businesses
The Tony Elumelu Foundation has opened its application portal for the 5th cycle of its $100million Entrepreneurship Program, open to all African entrepreneurs. This year, one of the goals is to increase participation and representation from women-run businesses in Africa as well.
Statistics have shown that only about 38% of applications to this program are from women, and the foundation is working hard to increase the number of applications from women owned business.
The program is open to any African who has an innovative business idea or a business in existence that is less than 3 years old in any sector.
If selected, business owners will join the Foundation’s current 4,470 TEF alumni and will receive non-refundable $5,000 seed capital,access to mentors, top-rated business training, access to a network of African entrepreneurs and opportunities for them and their business to share a global stage.
For more information on eligibility, funding, judging criteria, and application process, click here or APPLY RIGHT AWAY on TEFConnect here: www.tefconnect.com.
Deadline for applications submission is March 1st 2019
The significance of the Kente cloth in the Asante Kingdom
Kente textile is from Ghana, a country located in West Africa. Kente is a cloth worn by royalty. It is hand woven just like the Aso-oke (Nigerian textile) in wooden looms and is of very high worth. It comes in a variety of patterns, colours and designs, each of which have different meanings. Continue reading
African Platter Map : Matoke, Uganda On A Plate
On today’s episode of Bellafricana’s African Platter map, I am bringing you a recipe to one of Uganda’s most popular delicacies called, Matoke. Be sure to let me know if you try it and how it turns out. Continue reading
African Travel Guide : What You Need To Know About Visiting Chad
Expensive, remote, and sometimes dangerous outside the capital, Chad can be a very challenging place to visit, but by investing in the effort and taking safety precautions, travelers may gain a memorable tourism experience. Located in the heart of Africa, Chad is known for its stark expanses of savanna dotted with traditional villages. N’Djamena, Chad’s capital and largest city, is one of the only urban areas in a country still dominated by a rural lifestyle.Continue reading
Top 12 Clothing Brands You Should Definitely Follow On Instagram
Clothes! does anyone ever have enough clothes? In-fact if you are anything like me, you probably have three large boxes, and you always never have anything to wear to work, or school, or church or even to go out and get ice cream.Continue reading
Official Press Release | Made In Nigeria SME Conference and Exhibition
FEC’s New Leather Policy to Harness Nigeria’s Leather Resources
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a national leather and leather products policy to harness the country’s leather resources.
The approval was granted during FEC’s October 31st meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House Villa, Abuja.
Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu who briefed State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, said the policy would revolutionize the country’s leather industry and create employment.Continue reading