Design and Product Development

Retold: African Fables Conceptualized into Fashion Artwork

Author: Tameka Nicole Ellington (Kent State University)

Abstract

Unfortunately, there is still a"profound ambivalence" in the true historiography of Africa; much of what we understand is the “victimhood and romanticism” of the people (Beinart, 2000). The purpose of this research is to divulge the benefits and methodologies of using fables in fashion artwork. The conceptualization of African fables into the apparel and textiles industry aims to bring a deeper understanding of the rich cultural heritage of peoples. The perspective of the "anthropology of art" was used to frame a concept of "creative flow" by means of African fables. Four successful artworks were created and these works help break down barriers for other artists/designers looking to incorporate anthropological art in their work. These garments offer inventive ways of using unique forms of media to accomplish the goal of storytelling and designing successful fashion artwork.

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How to Cite: Ellington, T. N. (2016) “Retold: African Fables Conceptualized into Fashion Artwork”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings. 73(1).