Fabrics printed with wax or Ankara fabrics are famous for their graphic patterns, bold colors and attractive slogans. The distinctive piece is now celebrated in a gallery in Musée de l’homme in Paris, where the two values explore its anthropological, social and political role in the African continent and beyond. The Kenyan actress Topi Muriu joins us to talk about the fabric function in her amazing images, and how textiles are used to explore identity and beauty and their own position in society. Thandiwe tells us how the clothes and messages they send can empower and liberate women, and we discuss the use of traditional motifs in contemporary fashion, as African publications seduce designers around the world.
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2025-03-07 16:17:00
Magali FAURE
Talking textiles: Thandiwe Muriu’s use of the iconic Ankara fabric
