Ankara Fabric: The Story Behind Africa's Most Colourful Textile
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Ankara fabric, also known as African wax print, is one of the most vibrant and recognisable textiles in the world. With its bold colours, intricate patterns, and cultural significance, Ankara has become a global symbol of African fashion and identity.
The Surprising History of Ankara
Despite being called "African" fabric, Ankara's origins are surprisingly complex. The fabric was originally inspired by Indonesian batik textiles, manufactured in the Netherlands, and introduced to West Africa in the 19th century. African consumers embraced and transformed it, creating new patterns and meanings that made it distinctly African.
Ankara Today
Today, Ankara fabric is produced across West and Central Africa, with Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire as the major production centres. It is worn at weddings, funerals, festivals, and everyday occasions, and has inspired fashion designers from Stella McCartney to Burberry.
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About the Author
Isaac Prempeh is the founder of Afropop Socks, a British-Ghanaian designer and entrepreneur based in London. He founded Afropop Socks in 2019 to celebrate authentic African cultural heritage through bold wearable design. Afropop Socks is now stocked at the Smithsonian NMAAHC, Tate Modern, V&A Museum, Natural History Museum, Barbican Centre, Selfridges, and MoMA New York.