Like the beaming Sub-Saharan sun, African prints are hot this summer.
Solange, Alicia Keys, Beyonce and so many others have been inspired by the Motherland, rocking wax prints. Originating from West Africa, wax prints are a made through a unique dying process to create patterns on the cotton cloth.
Osei-Duro is one of the few fashion lines to produce their clothing in West Africa for the States and Canada. A Ghana-based designer team, we sat down with Maryanne Mathias (1/2 of Osei-Duro) to chat about the growing trend and why their clothing is so fab.
Oversized Tank
MADAME NOIRE: In one word, how would you describe Osei-Duro?
Mathias: Constructive
MN:Being from Canada originally, how were you introduced to West Africa?
Mathias: I had a wonderful friend living in Accra and I went to visit. I traveled from Ghana to Morocco overland on my own and grew to love West Africa!
MN: Where does your inspiration for the cuts and silhouettes come from?
Mathias: Everywhere
MN: African prints are BIG this summer, why do you think the style is gaining attention?
Mathias: This is a good question. Prints, in general, are making a come-back as fashion moves into the 90’s again. I also think there is more awareness and interest in Africa right now, which could in part prompt the trend in prints.
MN: How will your collections withstand the trend wave?
Mathias: We are moving away from the wax prints and are moving more into textile design, we are currently working with a dyer, and a crocheting husband and wife duo. I was heavily into textile design before I arrived in Accra and am excited to continue more with our own aesthetic.
MN: Who are your fashion role models?
Mathias: Hmmm, I don’t really have many, more friends from the industry: Clayton Evans from Complexgoemetries, Jen Gilipin from Don’t Shoot the Messengers.
Tunic in stairs
MN: What is your favorite aspect of Ghana?
Mathias: The heat, the people, the colors and vibrancy, the feeling of change and progression, of passion, of dirt and disparity, of hope and joy and sadness and love exuberance.
MN: What is your favorite city in Ghana?
Mathias: I am an Accra-gal…I suppose. Going out in Accra is my favorite place to go out in the entire world!
MN: Who is your clothing’s audience?
Mathias: Women between the ages of 19-39, who value fashion and the story behind the garments. [Women who] want to be in style, but not substitute the ethics behind it.
MN: We know your company is very serious about paying seamstresses fair wages. You also make sure your clothing is environmentally friendly. Why don’t more designers commission that their laborers get paid decent wages?
Mathias: I think it is changing, but it is also the consumer that needs to demand this. Many designers will only stick with the financial bottom line and not the social and environmental bottom lines as well.
