African Print Archives - Economy of Style

economyofstyle August 15, 2019

H&M Launches Collection With South African Brand Mantsho

Launch day! The H&M X Mantsho collection launched today, and pieces are selling out quickly. Mantsho, which means “Black is Beautiful,” is the clothing label by Palesa Mokubung. The line is based in Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city. This collaboration is special because it’s the first H&M collection with an African designer.

Here are some favorite pieces in the collection.

H&M X Mantsho

Sweater | Skirt | Jacket | Dress | Cape collar

Triangular earrings | Round earrings | Espadrilles

Who remembers the H&M x Kenzo and H&M x Moschino collections?

economyofstyle April 26, 2019

According To Data, You’re Interested In African-Inspired Fashion

When Pinterest dropped its 2019 trend report, I was thrilled to see that African print clothing was predicted to be huge this year. According to Pinterest data, searches for African print fashion were up a whopping 229 percent over the previous year. Since Pinterest says you’re interested, I’m sharing another great source for African-inspired styles.

What I’m wearing:

When I was in Memphis for Memphis Fashion Week (read all about that here), I got connected to one of the featured designers–Tanganika by Tangie. African print fashion is Tangie’s specialty. Her designs rely on African-inspired prints because these patterns tell such unique stories that she shapes to suit her clients.

For Memphis Fashion Week, I was so lucky to have a pair of pants custom made for me in a featured print from Tangie’s collection. Be sure to swing by my Instagram page to see some of Tangie’s designs rip the runway.

To balance the relaxed vibe of joggers, I knew I wanted to show off my shoulders. My top is an oversized button down shirt. I draped it off the shoulders and tied it in the front to add a little flavor.

Location: Downtown Library, St. Louis

economyofstyle February 21, 2019

6 Black Fashion Designers You Should Know

February is such an important month in style. It’s Black History Month, and black creatives have contributed so much to style movements. New York Fashion Week also went down this month. So, I thought it was a good time to share some of my favorite black fashion designers to watch. Some of them, like Tracy Reese, I’ve worn for many years, and others, I can’t wait to be able to afford a piece or two.

6 Black Fashion Designers To Know

1. Tracy Reese

Tracy Reese launched her label in New York City in 1998. It’s a women’s ready-to-wear clothing line. She’s since launched Plenty by Tracy Reese, a more affordably-priced line that makes her styles more accessible. I’m a huge fan and usually grab her pieces at Anthropologie. The jumpsuit below is an all-time favorite Tracy Reese design.

2. Cushnie

Designed by Carly Cushnie, this label is a luxury ready-to-wear line known for its clean lines and precise tailoring.

3. LaQuan Smith

LaQuan Smith started his line in 2013 and has since gotten the attention of big names like Rihanna and Beyonce. No surprise, his designs are distinctive and edgy. Good news for us is they’re also available at Asos. See some pieces from his Asos design collaboration here.

4. Demestik

Demestik by Reuben Reuel creates beautiful, contemporary designs using globally-inspired fabrics. Remember Beyonce’s epic baby shower ensemble? The skirt was by Demestik!

5. Studio One Eighty Nine

Studio 189 was co-founded by Rosario Dawson and Adrima Erwiah. It’s a fashion and lifestyle brand and also a social enterprise. The brand offers African-inspired styles created by artisanal communities in Accra, Ghana.

6. Telfar

Telfar by Telfar Clemens is a super cool, unisex line. The brand promotes inclusivity in fashion. It operates under the tagline, “Not for you—for everyone.”

economyofstyle August 17, 2016

This $20 Etsy Find Looks Like a Million Bucks

I’ve been following and ‘liking’ the images posted by @ZippedandPrinted on Instagram for about a year. When I saw this off-the-shoulder top available in two stunning African prints in recent posts, however, I quickly went from online admirer to new customer. Furthermore, this fabulous etsy find is only $20, y’all!

etsy find, Zipped and Printed Off the Shoulder African Print Top 10c

Top: Zipped and Printed on etsy

Pants: c/o Venus

Shoes: Sophia Webster for J.Crew (old)

Clutch: Loeffler Randall (old, J.Crew style I LOVE)

Earrings: Kendra Scott (old, option, option)

Lip: Mac “Fashion Legacy” liquid lipcolour, Mac “Kiss Me Quick” lip pencil

Zipped and Printed Off the Shoulder African Print Top 5c

I gravitated to the red swirl print because the color and print combination excited all of my style sensibilities. It’s red, one of the hottest hues for Fall 2016, and the print is sophisticated.

Zipped and Printed Off the Shoulder African Print Top 7c

And, of course, the only thing I love more than a fabulous print is a fabulous print mixed with fabulous prints. So, to create a fun mix of prints, I wore my Loeffler Randall pebbled dot clutch and my Sophia Webster for J.Crew floral pumps with my etsy find.

Zipped and Printed Off the Shoulder African Print Top 2c

I’m also wearing my Kendra Scott Perla drop earrings in gunmetal. They were from Kendra Scott’s Mirror Mirror Collection in 2015, which was a favorite of mine. As a longtime fan of the brand, and hence someone who owns many pieces, I love identifying those unique items from each collection.

Zipped and Printed Off the Shoulder African Print Top 3c

Location: Old Power Plant on Locust Street in Downtown St. Louis

Zipped and Printed Off the Shoulder African Print Top 9c