Nancy Cunard
The beginning
The only daughter of the heiress of the Cunard maritime tycoon family – Nancy Cunard – came to Paris in the early 20s of the last century.
In the 1920s, it was the style of pioneering women admired by Bohemian artists and was not yet considered fashionable.
Stylish escape
Designer YSL
In the 60s, Africa appeared romantically in the rose-colored lens of Parisian haute couture fashion.
Yves Saint Laurent is also among them.
A year later, the safari shirt debuted, first tailor-made for a Vogue photo shoot and later featured in the “Rive Gauche” ready-to-wear line, becoming a classic of YSL style.
“All Black” edition
Somali supermodel Iman
In July 2008, Editor-in-Chief of Italian Vogue Franca Sozzani published the `All Black Issue` issue, which only published photos of models of African descent, addressing sensitive issues of the world fashion industry.
Nearly three decades ago, in 1979, Vogue published a photo of Iman – a Somali model who can be considered the first African supermodel.
The early 80’s was also the time when designs with violent sexual overtones by Azzedine Alaia – a Tunisian fashion designer conquered Nicole Crassat and Melka Tréanton – two famous fashion editors of ELLE France.
Not charity!
Donna Karan
It is no exaggeration to say that African style is a concept associated with Western, easy-going fantasies about the Dark Continent.
This motif typical of African style was performed by Junya Watanabe in the 2009 collection, appearing in Burberry’s designs this Spring/Summer.
However, some designers are starting to introduce fashion products made in Africa and bring real profits to the continent’s residents.
With bags made from scraps of advertising tape and canvas tents.
When it comes to magical and stylish African style, it is necessary to reiterate that a “real Africa” is in need of help and wants to integrate into the world community.
