Maryland FashionWeek 09 in the News VOA

A short history of African Wax Print Fabrics

African wax print fabrics have many influences. Indeed, its history starts when batik wax-resist textiles were first imported into Africa from Indonesia in the 1800's through West African soldiers that served in Indonesia from early to just beyond the mid 1800's. These batik wax resist fabrics were also brought into Africa by European traders, mainly the Dutch.

Attempts were initially made to introduce the batiks to Europe, but these efforts were not successful. Largely it seems, because they were considered very exotic in design content. They were however extremely popular in West African markets. The fabrics were customised and designed to reflect local African tradition, culture and symbolisms. Many of the designs found on fabrics depict events, proverbs, persons of importance or local flora and fauna.

African wax print fabrics are made by printing the patterns in wax on the cloth and then dyeing the fabric. The fabric, which is 100% cotton soaks up the dye, excluding the portions whee the dye was applied. The wax is broken off by machine. Patterns are then printed on the fabric again with other colours. The number of times patterns are printed on the fabric again depends on the design. New ideas and more modern techniques of production mean scores of designs are produced every year by makers of these fabrics.

African print fabrics are mostly found in Core d' Ivoive, Ghana, Senegal and Nigeria. They can also be found in many Central and Eastern African countries. There use outside of Africa is now also on the increase.

Purchase African Wax Prints

A bit of an introduction

African fabrics/textiles have evolved in many ways over the years. Today a significant part of African fabrics based clothes or interior items are made from the highly vibrant colourful African wax prints. African fabrics however have a much more varied history. Many of the traditional fabrics are still in use in one form or another. Some traditional fabrics tend to be used for more formal occassions rather than every day wear.

Pictured above is a golden threaded traditionally woven "Aso-Oke" (translated top cloth) used amongst the Yorubas in South Western Nigeria.

African Fabrics and Designs store

Where can I get African fabrics?


If you are interested in purchasing fabrics similar to the ones displayed in this blog, you can visit the African fabrics and designs store where there is a large stock of African wax prints. Not only will you find an interesting display of colourful fabrics that you can use in your own projects, you will also find some African clothing made from these fabrics. Useful, if yu are interested in experimenting with African wear or have an occassion that requires dressing up African style!

Why African Fabrics?

It is so easy to fall in love with the exciting phenomenon of African Fabrics. Vibrant, bold and beautiful are a few words to describe how African Print Fabrics come across. But beyond that, the range of what's on offer and the vesatillity it provides is extreemely refreshing.