Japanfrica or Afripan?

If you didn’t get enough Japanese pattern yesterday, here’s another hit of Nipponese-inspired goodness. This time by way of Africa and down the fashion runway. Fashion designers have been taken with Japanese-influenced textiles for years now. Take a look at two designers who merge African textile-making with a Japanese aesthetic. You'll be blown away by the fabulous color combinations, layers of patterns, and bold creativity — all presented in stunning photographs. 

{ Images from designer’s websites }

Suno

Named for his Japanese mother, Max Osterweis designs fabrics based on vintage Kenyan kangas. The color combinations are stunning. Be sure to click over to the Suno website to see filmmaker-cum-designer Osterweis’ beautiful photographs and video. 

Wafrica

Serge Monangue merges Japanese and African motifs, clothing silhouettes, production processes to create a visual eye fest in Wafrica, his art project and clothing line. His striking obi and kimono are for sale on the site. Like Suno, the website is well worth a visit — so very beautiful.

Comments

[karly / design crisis]

Will I ever get sick of those prints. No, no I don't think so

[pansypoo]

proves i am not a fashionista, again.

[nkp]

So bold, so fun, soooo fabulous!

[Rebecca]

The last photograph says it all about the beauty
of blended cultures.