Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,143,460 members, 7,781,320 topics. Date: Friday, 29 March 2024 at 12:27 PM

Did Stella Mccartney Misappropriate Or Appreciate African Print? - Fashion - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Fashion / Did Stella Mccartney Misappropriate Or Appreciate African Print? (1926 Views)

Latest African Print Dresses: 2018 Stunning And Unique Ankara Styles / The Most Stunning African Print Dresses 2018: Beautiful And Stylish Gown Styles / 5 Ways To Wear The Ankara Print (2) (3) (4)

(1) (Reply) (Go Down)

Did Stella Mccartney Misappropriate Or Appreciate African Print? by themariamtijani(f): 3:16pm On Oct 10, 2017
Stella McCartney OBE, the daughter of former Beatles member Paul McCartney is one of the most respectable British Fashion designer when it comes to Sustainable Fashion. She uses vegetable and animal free alternatives in her work as a lifelong Vegetarian who cares about Animal rights.

The Luxury Fashion brand was under scrutiny for using African Prints in her Spring 2018 Ready-to-Wear Collection at Paris Fashion Week, 2017. Her runway show featured 41 Pieces with only 5 of it being African Inspired. They include 3 ruffled trapeze dresses African prints, 1 jumpsuit and 1 blouse styled in an Afrourban way as seen on Vogue. So, whats the problem?

As a designer myself, I understand that inspiration can come from anywhere. Real talk, Stella McCartney is not the first Luxury Brand to appropriate African Culture through its Collection without crediting its source. Luxury brands such as Burberry, Valentino, Moschino, Matthew Williamson, Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacob and much more have also done the same. Why is she any different to them?

Lets also not forget that African Print originated from Indonesian Batik. However, over the years Africa has adopted it as its own due to its heavy market penetration by Dutch Textile Company like Vlisco Group They are the Market leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of African Prints also known as Real Dutch Wax. The company based in Netherlands has been in existence of over 170 years. Their biggest market is Central and West Africa especially Nigeria with her over 180 Million Population. The African Diaspora community like myself also wear Ankara to show homage to their African roots.

So, why did #BlackTwitter have a problem with 5 Pieces of Stella McCartney Spring 2018 Ready-to-Wear Collection appropriating African Culture through her use of African Prints and Silhouettes. Well, in my opinion I reckon it’s due to the fact that reference is not made to the origin of the designs. Then again, I disagree as she kept some of its original Silhouettes. Being African, Nigerian to be precise, I grew up seeing older females in the family wearing the ruffled trapeze dresses while on the run. For example while going to the local market, cooking or doing laundry.

I am actually happy this is happening because I have been having debates on the Importance of everyone joining the buying black movement and that black business owners also need to present goods and services in a way it will appeal to everyone. That is exactly what Stella McCartney has done. Unfortunately as a luxury designer, she will make more than if it was an African Fashion designer released the same collection. Again, its all about execution and brand perception. Taking a cue from Ugo Monye‘s collection. The Nigerian Menswear designer showed that we can also present our products in a way it can appeal to a global audience. Unfortunately 21st century consumers care about high-end presentation. African Print in Fashion made a good point too. They adviced that African Fashion Designers should tag #StellaMcCartney on their posts on social media to benefit from the trend and in turn commercialise it.

My Final thoughts, we need to put our money where our mouth is. Anger is not going to solve the problem. We need to start patronising Made in Africa Textiles and also supporting African Fashion Designers Home and Abroad. We are not only contributing to the growth of the community but also creating jobs and also prolonging Heritage artistry. Also Well done to Amarachi Nwosu for bringing this to everyone’s attention.

In your Opinion, Do you think Stella McCartney did anything wrong by using African Print in 5 out of 41 Pieces of her Spring 2018 Ready-to-Wear Collection? Leave your comment below. Feel free to also share with Friends, Family and Foes. Thank you.

Culled from [url]Mariamtijani.com[/http://mariamtijani.com/stella-mccartney-spring-2018-rtw/].

Re: Did Stella Mccartney Misappropriate Or Appreciate African Print? by delishpot: 3:22pm On Oct 10, 2017
Before now African prints were not mostly printed in Africa just like stock fish(Opkoroko) though much consumed in Naija is not produced in Nigeria.

But Africans have a loong history of making fabrics tho and we love bright colours. I think if the collection is named as African print inspired then they are good to go.

1 Like

Re: Did Stella Mccartney Misappropriate Or Appreciate African Print? by Nobody: 7:07pm On Oct 10, 2017
delishpot:
Before now African prints were not mostly printed in Africa just like stock fish(Opkoroko) though much consumed in Naija is not produced in Nigeria.

But Africans have a loong history of making fabrics tho and we love bright colours. I think if the collection is named as African print inspired then they are good to go.



She should have gotten her inspiration from African designers or better still the average Nigerian woman on the street.gogle is her best friend ...she didn't sell African print well at all.. If she had done designs the way we do ...am 100% sure she would have over sold sef

Some times they feel having a name is all you need but nope that's not all .

1 Like

Re: Did Stella Mccartney Misappropriate Or Appreciate African Print? by themariamtijani(f): 1:33pm On Oct 12, 2017
The Collection was not intended to just serve as an African Inspired Collection. She only had 5 Pieces out of her 41 piece collection with Ankara Print. As a creative myself she did nothing wrong. Inspiration can come frome anywhere.

(1) (Reply)

I Want To Buy A Used Sewing Machine / Meet The New Mr Universe Nigeria, 2013 - Pius Marcus / Latex Steel Bone Waist Trainer

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 18
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.