INDULGING IN AFRICAN OUTFITS, MEANING LIVING LIFE IN FULL COLOUR

AFRICAN MEMOIR JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

BY SABINA KLEMENC SMITH

Live from Accra, Africa

Photos from Eunimak, Woodin, Global Mamas.

After two weeks spent settling into the house, I have realised that because of the hot and sticky weather I don’t have enough suitable clothes to wear. And, as a woman, I planned to indulge myself by finding shops where I could buy some light cotton dresses.

Yomi, the real-estate agent who showed us the house we are renting, and with whom we became friends, gave me the first suggestions on how to get by in a big city like Accra, with more than four million inhabitants. So, I joined a Facebook group AccraExpats, and also the NGO NAWA, where I meet Eunice Maku Ayiku-Nartey, a dress designer, and much more. She is the owner of the creative fashion store Eunimak (eunimakna44@yahoo. com) which specialises in European and Afrocentric clothes for ladies, gentlemen and children. Eunice is also an expert in soft furnishing such as pillows, placemats and tablecloths, just to name a few. The covid situation has had an impact on her business which gave birth to her the idea of beautiful rugs, blossoming on the walls as artistic hangings.

So, I have decided to visit Eunimak, which really has a special atmosphere of creativity and passion. I was really amazed, admiring the creations from all sorts of fabrics. So colourful, and so authentic! ‘I would like a dress or two for sure,’ I heard myself speaking

enthusiastically. In the end, Eunice made me three special dresses and a hat, but I also bought some presents for my family in Slovenia. I will definitely come back! While shopping for groceries in Accra’s district Osu, ten minutes drive from our house, I have discovered Global Mamas (GlobalMamas.org), Their products are handmade and from light wear organic cotton. The company offers vibrant products created by skilled craftswomen for people who love living life in full colour. Its community works together to create a life of prosperity for African women and their families. They are fully committed to fair trade principles to improve the economic outlook for women in Ghana by delivering unique products defined by the Global Mama signature style. They are in demand also abroad. When I entered the shop, a lovely shop assistant Dorcas welcomed me and showed me around. Their dresses are exactly what I wanted to wear for casual occasions. In the end, I have bought three of them, and two shirts for my husband. I was very happy about all the experience, and also with the other Global Mamas products, so I have become a regular customer.

In Osu I have also noticed an upstandard shop Woodin, selling cotton fabrics with vibrant colours and textures. Prints varies from Kente and Batik patterns, but also with special Adinka symbols. They also offer traditional Ghanaian beads, and clothes for men and women. Their shops are spread all around Ghana, so they are a wellestablished company. Woodin promotes itself as strong believers in a pan-African identity, creating a style that is uniquely theirs.

As my husband needed some smart shirts for Friday casual wear in the office, I picked up two shirts for him, and later on one really special one for his upcoming birthday. He was very impressed by my choice and is happily wearing them.

Through Facebook I was very happy to get in contact with a Slovenian lady, Sara Mitic Owusu-Dankwah, married to a Ghanaian for quite some time. Sara and her family are living not far from Accra, so we shared some lovely times together, and also a very traditional English Christmas lunch at our house.

Sara was very kind sharing some photos of her husband’s large, close and extended family. They are wearing traditional Ghanaian clothes for special occasions, like engagements and weddings, funerals and different anniversaries. For me those clothes are really special and outstanding.

The time is running fast, so we are already planning to have some holidays and experience a bit of other parts of Ghana, away from the hustle and bustle of crowdy Accra. Can’t wait!