Afrocentric Attire

Ebony, April, 2000 by Lynn Norment

Adewumi adds that many men also want Afrocentric evening wear. Very popular from his collection is a double-breasted, eight-button tuxedo jacket made of black and gold African fabric. Stevie Wonder ordered the jacket last fall, and the design shop recently outfitted the entertainer's daughter and wedding party for her nuptials. Adewumi adds that many of their wedding and formal ensembles are made of asooke, or "royal cloth," Nigeria's most prestigious wedding fabric. And an increasing number of brides are using some version of the gele, or headtie, as their bridal head gear.

The key to carrying off a regal ethnic look is to not overdo it. Few things are more comical than a garish ensemble of mix-matched African fabrics. Those in the know and those who are experienced in style and fashion say that less may be best in most situations. "My advice to young Sisters is to follow your own style when incorporating African accents," says Kinshasha Conwill. "Think first of what you like, what makes you feel good about how you look. If you love gold, a simple pin and a pair of earrings can do marvels to change a standard business look into something special. Keep it simple. Too much of a good thing is too much and begins to work against you."