African fashion designs have had a tremendous effect on the worldwide fashion business, with their unique patterns and vibrant color schemes enlivening the current fashion trends and gimmicks. They are well renowned for their diverse, colorful, hypnotic patterns and designs, which serve as emblems for the unique and beautiful culture behind their creative characteristics. African fashion, like all fashion, changes year after year and season after season while staying faithful to its roots. The arrival of warmer weather needs a wardrobe to revamp. And what better time to look at some of Africa's hottest summer fashion trends? Let's look at the top five African fashion trends to try this summer.

Tie and Dye

As a result of tie dye's meteoric rise to the top of the fashion heap in 2020, every designer has been scrambling to find new and original methods to use this laid-back pattern perfect for the spring and summer seasons in their latest collections. It is fair to say that adding jewelry to swimwear is another trend that we can all get behind. Many designers have integrated the vivid tie-dye trend into bikini sets, bodysuits, and one-pieces for the season. African designers are putting their own touch on the trend, creating eye-catching new clothes that combine traditional dyeing techniques with contemporary sewing and sensibility. Orange culture and NKWO apparel have been breaking through barriers in this trend.

Oversized Ruffles 

The use of ruffles as a fashion element is cyclical; nonetheless, we are ecstatic to report that the trend has just made a comeback, and it comes at the perfect moment for the summer. Put what you thought you understood about the movement in the past where it belongs. This summer's take on ruffles, on the other hand, is far more fashion-forward than previous iterations. Think about party skirts that will have you making an entrance by doubling up on fabric, volume, and texture. This will help you stand out. This year, the focus is on dresses that include many layers of ruched fabric; hence, the more ruching there is, the better. Wearing it with short strapped heels in either white or tan will ensure that the dress is the focal point of attention. Kenlyn Kouture and d'iyanu are two businesses that have established apparel lines that have redefined the trend.

Figure 2 - Oversized ruffles dress. Source - Google

Ankara Print

African wax prints, Dutch wax patterns, and Ankara are prevalent garment fabrics in West and Central Africa. In the African fashion business, it is a timeless fashion trend. They started to modify their patterns and colors to appeal to the African market. They are colorful cotton textiles with batik-inspired patterns that are mass-produced. One distinguishing aspect of these materials is the absence of variance in color intensity between the front and rear surfaces. Because of the production procedures, the wax cloth may be classified into quality groups. Every year, prominent African designers replicate this vibrant pattern in the most fashionable ways without losing sight of the print's original idea. It's not going out of style anytime soon. Brands like OFUURE and Naids Fashion are reinventing clothing style.

 Figure 3 - Ankara Print. Source - Google 

Head Wraps

A traditional head wrap known as dhuku or doek is an integral aspect of African culture. A headwrap is not simply a fashion statement; it also acts as a symbolic statement due to its historical importance in Africa. It isn't going out of style anytime soon. Head coverings often revealed a woman's identity. They show a woman's age, marital status, or fortune at a look. They have also been employed in the same manner that accessories are today: to enhance a woman's appearance. A headwrap may be worn regularly or for a particular event. It may be only a piece of fabric, yet it can highlight a woman's beauty and power like no other. Popular companies such as Fanm Djanm, Wrap Life, and Gideon's Needle have become synonymous with this accessory design.

 Figure 4 - Headwraps. Source - Google

Soft Florals

While historically, African print clothes are renowned for their daring use of color and design, this season is all about simplifying and opting for more subdued hues. Stepping away from the more traditional color palette helps you soften some of the designs. This gentle technique always works best in the summer since it complements the season's light and breezy vibe. The oversized silhouette has cropped sleeves and an equally fashionable high collar. It has a cropped length and a roomy waistband for optimal comfort. Nordstrom and ADJOAA have designed an excellent assortment of soft flowery clothes for this trend.

Figure 5 - Soft floral dress. Source - Google

 Anand Subramanian is a freelance photographer and content writer based out of Tamil Nadu, India. Having a background in Engineering always made him curious about life on the other side of the spectrum. He leapt forward towards the Photography life and never looked back. Specializing in Documentary and  Portrait photography gave him an up-close and personal view into the complexities of human beings and those experiences helped him branch out from visual to words. Today he is mentoring passionate photographers and writing about the different dimensions of the art world.

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