Bespoke African Fashion: Reason #101 why we will never move back to Yankee

There was a time in my life when going shopping at Saks or Macys excited me, not anymore. The idea of buying clothes off the rack seems so basic when compared to having an African designer make you a one of a kind garment. 

When I go to Yankee I don't buy clothes. Why for? Am I an idiot? Why spend my hard earned African money to acquire materials made in China to go back and wear on the African continent? 

In the 10 years since I returned to live on the continent, I can tell you that wearing clothes cut exactly to my curves and assets tops my list of reasons why I shall not be returning to Yankee to live permanently.

We have to build our local industries. I wear African designers. If I want to dress up and make an impression whether to a nightclub or a meeting na African made I go wear. As I type I have a $300 Christie Brown Dress waiting for me, already paid and two day dresses at Poqua Poqu to collect. Pistis, Maryzo, and Tantyz Fashion House are my daily staples. Not to mention the countless items I design and have tailored by seamstresses and tailors in Accra. 

Some will say oh but the textiles themselves are imported so what's the point? Is it really African fashion? I will not even waste my time to answer that question.

When you are eating your Swiss Chocolate are you thinking that the cocoa beans don't actually originate from there and come from Ghana? No you are not! You just day chew! I beg eat your chocolate, I will wear my African fashion and call them that. Not to mention that I actually wear African textiles manufactured right here in Ghana by one of my clients.

African fashion is here and it is here to stay and we are going to keep putting our fashion money into our own designers. The more money we spend locally the better off our local industries will be. I salute Chimamanda's latest wear Nigerian, buy Nigerian campaign, it is absolutely necessary. We should all try to replicate this in our own countries and on the continent at large.  

Check out some of my favorite everyday African Fashion looks below and tell me if you would trade bespoke for the rack.