Nigeria's Troubled Fashion Industry

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and, thus presents a huge market for the fashion industry. Nigeria's fashion industry has not been able to cash in on its home market. The majority of Nigerians are poor and unable to afford the offerings of a home grown fashion designer. Those who do have money seem to prefer clothing from Europe and the United States rather than locally created apparel.

For Nigeria's fashion industry to climb to new heights it must acquire global attention. This attention will help it grow locally as well. Global doors have are being opened for some Nigerian brands. MOMO and Tiffany Amber showed off their collections at the New York Fashion Week for Fall 2009. This international presence will go a long way in promoting Nigerian designers and their wares.

Prestigious venues, like New York, will only provide exposure to the very top Nigerian lines. The rest must be marketed locally, but they lack consistent and strategic opportunities to show off their creations. Ninety-nine percent of Nigeria's fashion designers sell directly to their costumers. There no large retail clothing chains in Nigeria. Marketing must be done basically one individual and one store at a time.

The local raw material used most often to manufacture textiles is cotton. Prior to the 1980s Nigeria was an exporter of cotton. Currently however, demand for textiles far outpaces internal cotton production. This cramps the creative capabilities of most designers. Ninety percent of current Nigerian clothing designers rely on imported fabric. Due to the imported textiles coming with patterns already on them, this limits the options of a creative designer.

Another major factor mediating against the success of Nigerian designers is the ready availability of second hand clothing. These used clothes from Europe and the United State are sold in the markets and on street corners of Nigeria's largest cities and carried into the remotest villages by bicycle riding, traveling merchants.

Chinese clothing exporters have flooded the Nigerian market with cheap clothing. They appeal industry recognizes the huge market that Nigeria presents. To have a major impact they have gone as far as mastering and mass producing Nigerian designs like "ankara" and ""aso oke." Some Chinese clothes arrive stamped "Made in Nigeria." The Nigerian government has attempted to moderate the importation of Chinese clothes, but corruption is rampant, allowing massive amounts of clothes to be smuggled in.

Fashion designers who are talented enough to create original designs and fashion lines are not protected by intellectual property rights. There are intellectual property rights for unique designs on the Nigerian law books, but they are seldom enforced. Without this protection designers have seen their creative works copied by other Nigeria clothing manufacturers and even by the Chinese, and sold on the local market.

Fashion designers have no broadly based organization. Without some unifying association it is very difficult for them to lobby for a clamp down on import corruption and insuring that their designs are protected. If they do not organize, the current sad state of affairs will continue weakening Nigeria fashion industry.

African forums contain lively discussions about all aspects of African fashion. The discussants are primarily consumers. Fashion designers would do well to camp out on some of these forums and work through some the major concerns under which they create their art.

African Fabrics – Rich Cultural Heritage

African fabrics echo their diverse tradition and culture. They are enchanting and easily identifiable by their colors, motifs and textures. It does not matter whether you are decorating your home or looking for stunning attire. African fabrics will provide you with just what you need. Many times, there are specific symbolic meanings associated with these fabrics. African imports, which include textiles, have a steady and increasing demand in the international market today.

African fabrics date back to the earliest sub-Saharan times. African textiles draw their inspiration from the rich African cultural heritage which came to America along with slave trade. Many slaves were skilled in weaving. Archeologists have found remnants of ancient and earliest African fabrics in various parts of Africa. Ancient African clothing was made from tree bark and animal hides or furs. Genuine African textiles are strictly traditional, following typical African motifs and earthy colors. Brocade fabric, George fabric, Rabal, Kente print fabric, Kuba cloth, Kitenge, mud cloth, bark cloth, hand-woven Nigerian Aso oke fabric, Adire tie & dye, Egyptian Ankh gold print fabric, burgundy pattern fabrics, indigo hand spun fabric, black/grey pattern fabric, multi-colored confetti fabric, African floral fabrics, cowrie shell print fabric, African village print fabrics, leopard prints, wax prints etc. are some common and popular African fabrics. You will also find many embroidered, stitched and patterned textiles. Most of the fabrics are available in 12 yard bolts. African fashion clothing as well as regular wear is manufactured with these fabrics.

Textiles woven from locally grown cotton, sheep and camel wool, jute, flax, silk, mud cloth, rayon, suede, lace, brocade, polyester, wax print, batik, Kitenge, Kente cloth etc. are quite characteristic of Africa. In Africa, weavers are mostly men and women spin the thread. Even children are skilled in the art of weaving. Both single and double-heddle looms are used for weaving; however, ground looms are also used in some parts of Africa. Use of brightly colored threads and vegetable and mineral dyes are two most popular attributes of African fabrics. Most designs and motifs used for beautifying the fabrics have specific names and vary from plants, animals, events, proverbs, tribal rituals to various scripts.

Afro-centric designs today are sought after throughout the world. African style, grace, beauty and fashion are closely attached to their roots. They strongly entice you with their distinct earthy appeal and simplicity. Today, many designers are showcasing their creations made from authentic African fabrics at renowned international fashion shows. You can find these fabrics at African fabric stores or buy them online at various shopping sites. Each fabric has its own history, own story and own symbolism.

African fabrics are iconic and truly eye-catching and today you will see many fashion conscious people flaunting dresses made from original African fabrics. Not only clothing, African fabrics are just great for bags, wall hangings, cushion and quilt covers, home decoration, upholstery, crafts and other creative endeavors. Most of these fabrics are handmade and African artisans hand-dye symbols into them to demonstrate day-to-day life, African proverbs, flora and fauna.