EAST AFRICA FASHION GOES GLOBAL WITH KANGA CLOTH

 Photo©Chichia London

East African well known for kanga cloth. Bold designs, vivid colours and messages in Kiswahili printed on cotton fabric.

Since the 19th century it has been worn by women of different backgrounds to communicate, share or show their political affiliations.

Now New York-based womenswear label Suno, Tanzanian design house Chichia London and UK online fashion store ASOS are incorporating kanga in ready-to-wear garments.

Though, Kanga is mainly manufactured outside of Africa now, maybe the popularity of a new generation of kanga will push African producers to revive local cloth industries.