I am planning to make illustrations inspired by the so called African wax print (or Dutch wax print). Wax print is a popular material for clothing in West Africa. A Dutch company called Vlisco first brought the material to the continent in the early 1900s and Africans have adopted it and made use of it since. Wax print has become the symbol of African culture and heritage.
Commonly a wax print design is colourful and detailed with bold motifs. The designs come both in abstract and figurative patterns. I am more interested in the figurative patterns as I am going to design one such myself.
My husband explained that old people prefer muted and monochromatic designs and the youth like brighter colour combinations. I have no evidence of this though.
Examples of inspiring designs by Vlisco.
https://www.vlisco.com/en/vlisco/types/wax-hollandais2/vla2122.008.06/
https://www.vlisco.com/en/vlisco/types/wax-hollandais/vl012885.06/
https://www.vlisco.com/en/vlisco/types/wax-hollandais2/vl04918.050.06/
https://www.vlisco.com/en/vlisco/types/wax-hollandais2/vl04918.050.06/
https://www.vlisco.com/en/vlisco/types/super-wax/vl065172.04/
http://about.vlisco.com/news/vlisco-honors-crown-prince-willem-alexander/
https://www.vlisco.com/en/vlisco/types/wax-hollandais2/vla2183.008.06/
Other companies have joined in to produce fabrics with this technique. GTP is a Ghanian manufacturer.
http://gtpfashion.com/product/adp1-5325-04/
http://gtpfashion.com/product/adp-17205-19/
http://gtpfashion.com/product/adp-17046-11/
Wax prints are also used to promote companies and organisations.
Other Wax print producers from Ghana are
Woodin
http://www.woodinfashion.com/collection/woodin-launches-variation-de-woodin/
http://www.woodinfashion.com/collection/meet-brand-new-collection-reflexion-de-woodin/
ATL (Akosombo Textiles Limited)
Akosombo textiles limited 7716
Printex
https://www.printexghana.com/product-page/px-1009548
ILLUSTRATING THE OTHER 