Photo Credit: Book Cover of New African Fashion by Helen Jennings. Published by Prestel Publishing, 31st October 2011, £19.99/$35.00.
Africa has long served as inspiration for high fashion designers. In the sixties, designers like Paco Rabanne and Yves Saint Laurent referenced the continent in the texture, palette, print and form of their work. The international catwalks in present day, suggest that the vast continent continues to act as a reference point for high fashion designers.
With foreword by artist Ike Ude, New African Fashion is the coffee table must-have, by Helen Jennings. The editor of award-winning, contemporary African magazine, ARISE has written issue-specific text for publications such as i-D and The Face etc.
Opening with a brief history of African fashion, Jennings’ New African Fashion goes on to show how this past has influenced an emerging generation of African high fashion designer. The author also explores why Africa is in the current design spotlight.
New African Fashion goes beyond the stereotypes. The 240 page tome sees Jennings profile an interesting cross section of high fashion design talent, models and photographers from Africa and the diaspora.
African Fashion is having a moment and this book by Jennings’ delves into the makings of it.
New African Fashion by Helen Jennings is £19.99/$35.00 and is available in the UK here and in the US here.
More in the On the coffee table series here.
