The style of An African City

I recently stumbled on the web series, An African City on You tube last weekend. An African City is created by Nicole Amarteifio, who wanted to show that African women can be beautiful, trendy and modern rather than just the face for an anti-poverty campaign. As, I watched the web episodes, I  couldn't help but think that it reminded me so much of Sex and the City.  It  follows five girlfriends; Nana Yaa,  Sade, Ngozi, Makena and Zainab, who previously lived and educated abroad and are current returnees to Accra, Ghana as they navigate cultural norms, career and romance.


The episodes are quite funny, some funnier than the others. As, I watched,  I couldn't help but focus on the style. I appreciated the diversity of each of the characters hairstyles. I like that Nana Yaa favors bright red lipstick. There was the usual statement jewelry. They all had pretty earrings in all colors and shapes.  In an episode, Ngozi had on this huge statement white cowrie necklace, that neckpiece was everything. My favorite outfit from the whole show will be the lilac purple poet sleeve blouse with frills and printed yellow/green cuffs worn by Nana Yaa, It was absolutely stunning.

I would say to look out for the different style of clothing feauturing the printed wax fabric, Ankara. The prints are used for everything.  There are sheath dresses, maxi skirts midi/full skirt dresses even pants made from the fabric. I was not that very surprised however, because over the past ten years, the use of this print in clothing has reemerged in west-african style and has gone mainstream. Ankara is in style. Iconic british brand, Burberry incorporated the african print in its Spring 2012 collection. I have even purchased a hobo bag made out Ankara fabric from Target store many years ago.

Overall, the show stylists did an okay job this first time around. If the show returns for a new season,  fashion can really be a big part of this show if it utilizes the creativity that is going on  in Africa fashion wise by featuring the design of other top notch designers from West Africa or even across the continent. This may contribute to taking the style of the show to the next level as well as serving as a great spring board for some of these designers.

The first episode features the track, Motherland by Accra based Ghananian rapper, M.anifest, who got his musical start here in the Twin Cities,  I recommend watching the show and judging for yourself.