Afro-Fusion Looks and Being You

In this blog, I would like to introduce Afro-Fusion wear which is a combination of African inspired looks mixed or fused with a eurocentric touch and other cultures where cultural appreciation befits. 

Fashion is a word that conjures up many thoughts when spoken. I remember knowing that I always liked to coordinate my clothes or if not able to, I would always be keen on wearing a lovely outfit. At times people made me feel insecure when I turned up by saying to me "why are you over-dressed?," even when I was simply looking smart and not overdressed. I started to try and underdress if there is such as thing as under dressing.

I wear a uniform at work and my colleagues have mentioned how I am always smartly dressed even in my uniform. I realized that it is how I present myself in general- I always like to be smart, elegant and feminine apart from when I need to go to sleep.

Being myself meant accepting that liking fashion is not dirty nor is it defamation of character, although some people think liking fashion makes a person vain, shallow, self-centred and a lost cause in life.I know friends who feel guilty if they state they like fashion so they live pretending they don't really like it or then wear clothes that misrepresent them in character or personality. 

Looking fashionable is not the same as breaking your bank accounts for fashion- that is not wise at all. We do not all have to wear designer clothes, adorn ourselves elaborately or wear makeup but it is essential that what you wear represents YOU. 

This means a lot to me as comments such as these:

                                       Why are you looking so dull?

                                       Why are you overdressed?

                                       Why are you underdressed?

                                       You look so shy in your clothes?

                                       You dress so scruffily.

                                       You don't look African or this or that?

And many more comments said in passing to us would not upset us if what we wear truly represents and reflects us. If I am happy shy then being told my clothes make me look shy should not upset me as It's my truth. Same if I was having a dull day and wore dull clothes then being told my clothes are dull should not matter much to me.If being scruffy is me then being told I am scruffy should not affect me negatively. They are judgements as people judge all the time so best to ignore them when we know and own who we are. So what? If I my clothes are dull or simple but I'm happy inside.

If it does affect you then I suggest perhaps you are not being yourself maybe or learn to ignore it? 

                           This why I have titled this blog post 'Afro-fusion and Being You.'

Sapele Ankara dress (Left) Jean and Jumper(Middle) Abuja Ankara dress(Right)ight)

Fashion is a form of expression meaning it is also an art. If we look at cultures and dressing we realise that how people dress is part of cultural heritage, identity, expression, and uniqueness. Before cultural assimilation which has diluted some cultural fashion art forms, how you presented yourself was significant. Culturally inspired wear differs greatly from fashion inspired looks because when dressing for cultural events; it is usually important to keep to the traditions and ensure you do not deviate too much from expected cultural expression. An example is a white wedding which seems to have distinct looks and guest expected attire. We are living in a very diverse world now where social media and affordable air travel has meant cultures are blending together in many ways that cultural appropriation, appreciation, and assimilation is now fusing into our daily look & our fashion inspired looks.

South African Ankara Top

I grew in a very post-colonial time where fashion trends were largely eurocentric or American celebrity inspired. I listened to Hip-Hop and RnB so of course my idols then were the singers Brandy and the late Aaliyah(RIP) so you probably can guess what type of clothes I wore. Growing up I never saw African clothes being sold in a shop. The closest icons/  role models representative of me where Black Americans so I chose to copy and emulate their fashion trends. Truly it never mattered to me to wear African outfits; in fact, WE  did not grow up with a cultural dress. We were that colonized and assimilated into European style and art forms apart from our names and traditions. 

Coming to England truly was an eye-opener for me. All of sudden there were all these people I had read of when I studied world geography and world history in real flesh. I had a fast introduction to Geles, African wrapper,  Hijabs, Niqabs, Abayah, Ankara, Asoebi, Cholis, Churidar, Kilts, Kente, Dashiki, Saris and Sombrero's to name but a few. Invites to events also came with specific dress requirements, for example, wear green Asoebi and green Gele head wrap. This was a challenge as I never wore this before and I had no idea either. Comments came from some of my West African compadres such as "You mean you never grew up wearing African clothes, Hmmm, What type of Africans are you people?" Initially, I felt a bit judged but I came to a realization that I cannot erase my past and what I did not encounter either such as all these so-called outfits. I am still alive, fully grown and African despite not having worn something African. Phew! Thank God clothes cant truly define me and who I am.

I am a firm believer in that nothing in your life is a waste as you can always learn from each and every situation you meet.

You just have to take the good forward into your future, discard the bad and toxic, learn from the mistakes and be willing to change where change is necessary. Be ready for transformation meaning adapt to new things. A butterfly did not always have wings but transformed & acquired wings.

I made friends from West Africa and as part of cultural assimilation, I got a few African inspired outfits and looks for myself. When you haven't been used to a certain way of dressing, it truly challenges your mindset. I needed to know if it is ok for me to wear African clothes to the shops for example. At the time I did not meet many Africans in the town I lived in. I did not want to be the centre of attention and besides was it even appropriate in the city?

(Right) Rockabilly style dress & (Left) Dress from Bestseller Denmark

Then It began to dawn on me that there is fashion looks and culturally inspired looks. I am an African and there is nothing wrong in the assimilation of African fashion. One should wear what they are comfortable with only and this avoids the insecurities and discomfort that comes with not being yourself. I am comfortable with African looks but I am also comfortable with fusing them to eurocentric apparel. In the future, I am looking to have Afro-fusion inspired looks and outfits which incorporate other cultures in the global world. Watch this space.

Casual Jeans, Ankle boots and Camo style jacket.

In all honesty, I have mainly seen African Mama's wearing African fashion looks to weddings, events, and church mainly. I am yet to see our clothes being worn in mainstream jobs apart from when one works in Africa or is in the beauty, fashion or entertainment industry. Eurocentric clothes seem to dominate the corporate arena but as you can see from my blog posts and my Instagram page @faith_faden&vaac that African clothes can be worn well corporately. Just like Afro natural hairstyle trends and looks are now worn in all sectors of society due to Black & Minority Ethnic people challenging and owning the narrative of beautiful hair. This too is possible with Africans challenging the professional look status quo and owning our own narrative. Most importantly is being yourself and comfortable in your apparel.

The aim of this article is not to bash or judge anyone or culture but to encourage and inspire.I would love to read and know your experiences in this lifestyle topic.

Thank you for reading my blog.

💓Faith Faden

Founder: VAACVAAC