devon4Africa: For the love of color!

I got the call. My clothes are ready!

One of the many things I love about Africa are the colorful fabrics. I bought several fabrics while I was in Senegal and had an outfit made out of one of them while I was there. It cost me about $10 and was done in 2 days.

The 1st box is fabric from Senegal. Middle and end boxes show

the fabric from Guinea Bissau.

When I returned to the U.S I had also acquired 4 more pieces of fabric from Guinea Bissau (given to me as part of my renaming ceremony). So, now I had all of this beautiful fabric, but was unable to wear it. It took me about 6 months to find someone who who could turn my fabric into what I will call, "African inspired contemporary or contemporary fashion with an ethnic flair ".

Fula man sewing in Quebo, Guinea Bissau

I learned of a dressmaker, designer named Julie, who just happens to work at one of my favorite little boutiques (Bryn Walker) and I asked her to help me turn my fabric into something wearable, but what did I want?.

I left the fabric with Julie in August and finally, yesterday, I was able to pick up the 1st completed outfit (baggy pants and an over sized top - I based the shirt on a top I bought at a local African shop and the pants I based on a pair that I bought in San Leandro, at a shop called Absolutely Abeba). Julia had to make a pattern for me and also wash and treat the fabric (so that it would not shrink and also to soften it up), right now the fabric is pretty stiff. I still have 5 more pieces to be completed (BTW- it cost me a bit more than $10)

I really LOVE the final results.

What I find really interesting is the color choice of the fabrics selected for me by my Fula family in Quebo (you'll see more of what I mean when you see the other pieces). The fabric colors and designs were chosen without any of them having ever seen or met me. A-Mazing!

Can you tell that I love color?