African fashion draws on shared influences, with Ghanaian designs reflecting similarities with styles from other African countries, including those in the Francophone world, fashion designer Yayra Agbofah has said.
Speaking on Episode 5 of Franco Vybz with Rev Erskine, which explored Francophone influences on Ghanaian fashion, the founder and creative director of ‘The Revival’ said the similarities reflect a culture of mutual inspiration across the continent, even as individual countries maintain distinct fashion identities.
“One thing we should understand about African fashion in general is that our styles are quite similar,” he said. “There’s some connection, mutuality within our style. So, then we always take inspiration from each other.”
He explained that although African countries share fashion influences, each retains distinctive elements that define its style.
“Definitely we see some similarities, but in our own unique ways,” he said. “We all have our basis on what our fashion should look like.”
To illustrate this exchange of influences, Mr. Agbofah cited Mali, noting that the country has a recognizable fashion identity while some of its traditional styles and fabrics have also gained popularity in Ghana. “When you go to Mali, you know that they have a look,” he said.
“But you also come to Ghana, you see people using mud cloth now. You see people doing the bubus and all of that. So, there is some sort of connection in terms of inspiration.”
He further illustrated the cross-cultural exchange with an experience from a recent visit to Rwanda, where he encountered a traditional outfit resembling the kaftan.
According to Mr. Agbofah, a fashion historian he met during the visit explained that Rwanda’s now-iconic traditional attire had drawn inspiration from the kaftan, which he associated with Nigeria and Ghana.
“One of the fashion historians actually educated me that they took inspiration from the kaftan, which is from Nigeria, from Ghana, to make that Rwandan fashion that has become so iconic as well,” he said.
Mr. Agbofah reiterated that such examples demonstrate how African fashion continues to evolve through the exchange of ideas and styles across national borders. “We take inspiration from each other,” he said.
By: Mary Anna Cofie