For more info, visit www.allthingsankara.com
By: Judith Ugbeme
TABLE OF CONTENTS All Things Ankara (2021 Edition)
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All Things Ankara (2021 Edition)
INTRODUCTION
ANKARA FABRIC STYLES
CAMPAIGNS
ANKARA WEDDING DRESSES
PULL QUOTE
introduction
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origin & inspiration of Ankara Or African print
Nikki Billie Jean The Ankaranista!
Nikki is the founder and editor-in-chief of All Things Ankara. Nikki is the fashion designer, fashion stylist, fashion director & event producer for the Nikki Billie Jean brand.
Nikki became passionate about Ankara print fashion, while participating and event producing African fashion shows in college at The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). In August 2012, she started All Things Ankara after discovering that there wasn’t any site online and social media page dedicated only to Ankara print fashion. In April 2014, after gaining popularity on Instagram, the official All Things Ankara website was launched.
Prints Are The New Black. All Things Ankara is a multi-faceted fashion and entertainment brand dedicated to Ankara print fashion and it’s relevance in global fashion. It is also the #1 source of Ankara print fashion, consisting of an online publication, e-commerce shop with exclusive designs, e-commerce retail marketplace for Ankara print designers worldwide, and special events catering to Ankara print fashion enthusiasts. It has been featured in the The Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, Forbes, Business Insider, The Shade Room, Power 105.1 FM, Bossip, Bella Naija, Pulse Ng, and Okay Africa. (allthingsankara.com/press)
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Inspiration
African prints have no doubt gained international recognition and acceptance, as African inspired outfits are not only worn by Africans but also by those who are inspired by African prints. This trend infiltrated the mainstream in 2010 and has received a substantial presence in the fashion industry worldwide. While Western and other non-African fashion designers have incorporated African elements in their designs, this trend is identified by the use of African print fabrics such as Ankara and the embodiment of African themes in designer creations.
Origin
The Ankara fabric, originally known as the Dutch Wax Print, has been in existence for a long time. Initially, it was produced by the Dutch for the Indonesian textile market through a process called ‘Batik’. The Indonesians carried out batik by melting wax and making a pattern of it across a blank cloth. Afterwards, the cloth is soaked in dye but the wax on the cloth prevents the dye from covering the whole cloth. Where more colors are needed, the wax-and-soak process is repeated with new patterns. Dutch merchant, Pieter Fentener Van Vlissingen, commercialised this method and as the market for the batik fabric grew, Scottish, English, and Swiss manufacturers, sauntered in. Soon enough, the Dutch wax prints became a part of African clothing with so much Africanness and indigenous ownership.
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2. Ankara Long Dresses You can style Ankara long gowns in a dramatic or less dramatic way if you are a lover of long dresses. You can rock Ankara long dresses whether you’re tall or short, slender or plump. The important thing is to choose a style you are best comfortable in. Long dresses accentuate your femininity and help in concealing some flaws in your figure. Wearing heels with a long dress gives you a more confident carriage.
3. Ankara suits Wanna go formal in a different way? Try putting on an Ankara suit. It is a blend of westernization and African-ness. Be it a full suit or a blazer, the Ankara suit is a creative way of exalting the Ankara fabric.
Ankara Fabric Styles
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ith the advent of technology and civilization, the textile business has become much easier than its beginning. Fashion designers have helped to proliferate the Ankara fabric by exercising their dexterity and stretching their creativity in a bid to explore and show the multi-facetedness of the Ankara fabric. Ankara fabrics can be combined with plain fabrics, Ankara can be worn with denim, Ankara can be made into suits, jumpsuits, play-suits, sneakers, bags, shoes, earrings, bracelets, etc. The Ankara fabric is a source of income to many such that if you do not want to venture into the sartorial aspect, you can become a dealer by getting the fabric from manufacturers and supplying to retailers and fashion designers. What becomes a source of worry to fashion lovers is the perfect style to sew with Ankara.
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4. Ankara jumpsuits This shouldn’t be a problem as many fashion influencers all about Instagram show us different ways to style Ankara every day. Check out some of the latest Ankara styles. Also, some of these looks have been curated here. Scroll down, keep reading and feast your eyes but don’t forget to screenshot the styles that catch your eyes so you’ll have what to show to your fashion designer the next time you’d be calling at his/her place.
Clothes You Can Make With Ankara 1. Ankara short gowns Wearing Ankara short gowns makes you look, very much on-the-go. You can style it with sneakers, flats, flip-flops, sandals, wedges or even stiletto heels depending on how you want to look. The Ankara short gown can be worn to work, weddings, or any casual outing. Its flexibility makes it a must-have for every wardrobe.
Jumpsuits have become popular among women all over the world. If you’re a lover of jumpsuits, be prepared to look effortlessly chic with any of these Ankara jumpsuit styles below.
5. Ankara Play-suits Ankara Play-suits are the shorter and flirtier version of Ankara jumpsuits. They are usually casual wear and can be worn to any occasion of your choice so long as you are comfortable in them. Ankara Play-suits emphasize your figure, flaunt your features and make you look hot.
6. Ankara Kimonos Kimonos are a must-have. You can make a beautiful piece of kimono with Ankara. If your closet does not house at least one piece of kimono, you have no idea how much you are missing out. Ankara Kimonos are so versatile and this makes them easy to be chipped into our everyday wears. You can rock an Ankara kimono with an all-black or an all-white ensemble.
SHOPPING LIKE A BOSS
All Things Ankara Pop Up (2017)
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Campaigns
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All Things Ankara Pop Up is an extension of the All Things Ankara Shop. It is an exciting opportunity for Ankaranistas to shop like a boss and dress confidently in Ankara print clothing. “Shop Like A Boss” is the slogan for the All Things Ankara Pop Up. You deserve to have all the confidence that comes from feeling great in clothes. For more information on the All Things Ankara Pop Up visit, allthingsankara.com/popup
All Things Ankara Ball All Things Ankara Ball is a formal social event in which the guest attend in luxurious, classy, elegant & couture Ankara print Attire. It is also the official Nigerian independence ball. “Come Dry, Leave Wet” derives from: A social club co-founded by Jidenna called Fear & Fancy. Fear & Fancy is an international collective of entrepreneurs, activists, educators, scientists, and artists who host soirees, dinner parties, and demonstrations. “Come Dry, Leave Wet” means: Going to a party dressed to the nines “to perfection in the most fashionable attire” (Come Dry) but having a good time, dancing and sweating out your clothing (Leave Wet). We want All Things Ankara Ball attendees to let loose and have fun; whilst exhibiting luxurious Ankara print inspired gowns & suits. For more information on the All Things Ankara Ball visit, allthingsankara.com/ball
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COME DRY. LEAVE WET. -FEAR & FANCY
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“Uniqueis the& Different next generation of beautiful. -Sylvia Korving
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Ankara wedding dresses
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Ankara and Lace Styles Combination Ankara and lace styles combination can be a resource for your style. You can look over a few styles of lace, contingent upon the occasion, the shade of your skin, the state of your body and your preferences. Ankara’s lace style is best for gatherings, for example, weddings and birthday events. The blend of Ankara trim is delightful and interesting. Ankara textures are as of now delightful and the expansion of lace makes them more brilliant and appealing. The material of the lace is both work of art and exquisite and is ideal for light outfits, for example, shirts and dresses. Ankara and lace styles combination are accustomed to beautifying different pieces of the dress at the midriff, tail or arm, it’s up to you. Lace can make your dress more refined. Lace is an extremely rich, exemplary material, that will make your outfit more captivating and beguiling. Ankara textures, joined with the wonderful lace, is ideal for ladies of each age and style. There is no distinction whether you favor dressing in an excessive, humble, or easygoing way – you will consistently discover a style that will feel individual for you and motivate you. Lace texture is a truly incredible accomplice to the Ankara outfit. As a rule, women incline toward lace since it gives a sensation of delicacy, tastefulness, and magnificence.
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IN A WORLD FULL OF TRENDS, I WANT TO REMAIN A CLASSIC. - IMAN
THERE IS BEAUTY IN EVERYTHING AND THARE IS BEAUTY IN AFRICAN FASHION. -MAHIET AFEWORK
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good taste “ Toocanmuch be very boring.
independent style on the other hand, can be very inspiring. -diana vreeland
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