Fashion Studies Post #4: FIT Black Fashion Designers (In-Progress)

This Ensemble is from Duro Olowu’s fall 2012 collection, made from cotton and silk lace, silk charmeuse, wool, and silk crepe. According the the exhibition, Duro Olowu’s international success arises from a “strong visual cross-cultural aesthetic, quality of the cut an the fabric, and an appreciation for the female form. Oloqu masterfully embraces bricolage, vibrantly mixing colors, prints, and textures.” This designer’s object was included in the exhibition because he used his international background as inspiration for his creative pattern and textile combinations.

Duro Olowu says, “this is how women wear clothes in contemporary Africa… It’s an offbeat, strong aesthetic that influences my work.” Although a London-based designer, Olowu’s design showcases the traditional roots of black designers. The designer contributes to fashion history because he is a representation of globalization – Olowu still maintains his ethnic roots while being a London-based designer. Furthermore, the centers of fashion have always known to be Paris, London, Milan, and New York, and by bringing the aesthetic values of a different culture into the fashion scene, it foreshadows the evolution of fashion on a more global scale. Also according to lecture last week, black designers are subjected to association with the stereotyped black street style. However by including Olowu’s piece, which shows the beautiful traditional textiles of Africa, the exhibition helps break down that association.

Leave a reply

Skip to toolbar