Africa: inspiration from the Spring-Summer 2017 collections

The magical continent. Endless sandy deserts, tribes of vibrant colors and exotic large beasts. Africa has been an inspiration for western fashion throughout history countless times, and it is also being now in designers’ collections for spring-summer 2017.  

In a celebration of diversity, Balmain amazed the world with his Spring-Summer 2017 collection. The African designer takes his inspiration to the catwalk showing a strong and confident woman. Models walk on catwalks wearing large platforms and soft sheer fabrics, like if they were being moved by the sheet’s air. Dresses are structured with large openings, marking the feminine silhouette and colors, earthy again, give way to details of animal print that complete the safari look.

African inspiration goes out from the catwalks to get into our closets, because it is not only reserved for haute couture. Western designers make use of the ancestral roots of the African continent to create urban and modern garments.  For the first time, the sports brand PUMA joins the streetwear brand from Amsterdam Daily Paper in a collection inspired by the African heritage of the latter.

The inspiration of the collection is found in East Africa’s cricketers Masaai players. Puma’s designs reinvent with cut clean lines, colorblocking and drawings that reflect the Masaai and, specifically, their history with the practice of cricket.

The classic sneaker Puma Match is a key element in the collection. Daily Paper reinvents this classic and does so with three different interpretations: one with velcro straps, one with its classic form but adding a print with a paint splash effect and, the last one, with a colorful translucent sole. All of them made with premium leather.

Another model redesigned by Daily Paper in this collaboration with Puma is the Court Platform. With a platform-style sole, high quality knitted fabric and the part of the instep made with leather, this unisex reinterpretation is both different and ground-breaking.

The Spanish firm Highly Preppy presents its new collection for spring-summer 2017 under the title Safari Trip. The firm mixes in these garments the youthful spirit that characterizes it with vibrant colors and tribal prints that transport us to a sunset in the savannah.

In a more formal version, Guess Jeans is also inspired by Africa for its new street style designs. An earthy palette, tropical print and safari influences slip in the new designs of the firm. Jumpsuits in khaki or top and skirt sets that enhance the feminine curves are some of the proposals presented as part of its Spring-Summer 2017 collection.

Colors, motifs and forms of the African continent also incorporated to the creative language of the jewelry firm Thomas Sabo. In pendants, earrings and rings the twisted motives of African baskets, symbolic heads of antelope and lion or a stylized interpretation of the spearheads are masterfully integrated. But not only the shapes makes us explore the African landscapes. Among the materials used are silver, gold, pearl, onyx and tiger’s eye.

“My sources of inspiration are always the people! Their cultural background and aesthetic language that has evolved over the centuries, become a formidable pool of ideas that leads me to new interpretations. With our new Africa series we have captured for the first time the beauty of Africa’s cultural and stylistic context”, tells the Creative Director Susanne Kölbli.

The charms are the stars of the firm and, of course, they had to be included in this collection, which has about 30 different models for the spring-summer 2017 season.

West is inspired by Africa as a way to catch their strength and exoticism. In the old continent, they speak more about an Afro-style rather than African fashion, although as time goes by it is less used. African designers move across borders and reach the catwalks to show us what is what they truly conceive about fashion. African fashion can no longer be considered an exotic idea or something separated from the international arena. The way in which African designers are understood goes beyond the continent.

Nigerian menswear firm Orange Culture presented its Autumn-Winter collection during the Fashion Week in London. These African designers are becoming increasingly visible on the global stage and their designs are more and more demanded. Trendy, urban and elegant designs is what we have seen in the Orange Culture fashion show.

The firm Maxhosa from Johannesburg has shown its collection, in this case the Spring-Summer 2017 Collection. The designs are inspired by a cultural exchange between the western and Xhosa dress code and stands out for its prints and color, the hallmark of the African firm. Classic silhouettes that aim to show an innovative sense of an emblematic Africa that can survive time.  The result is a collection with a modern, distinctive and timeless aesthetic Xhosa. A bold and sophisticated declaration of what is Africa and its current spirit.

Africa always comes back because almost every year some firm is inspired by its exoticism to create some of their collections. And in Horse, we love it And you? Will you go with the flow of the African air for this season?

Photos courtesy of the firms shown and livingly.com
Translated by: Raquel Sanchez