Ankara Makes A Comeback

Gone are the days when expensive Lace fabrics ruled Naija parties. These days, Ankara is the fabric of choice. Once regarded as the fabric for the poor and the less privileged that cannot afford the pricy European Lace, Ankara is now "de facto" ruler of Lagos parties. From the upper echelon to the poor and not so well-off Lagosians, Ankara is the number one Aso-ebi of all occasion. I was recently in Lagos for my grandma's burial and you can guess the Aso-ebi of choice - Ankara. Two things that sets Ankara apart from other fabrics are the array of designs and vibrant colors. It's amazing how these two unique features were once it's biggest drawback but now seem to be reason behind the recent clamor. All thanks to government ban on the importation of foreign textiles few years ago (By the way, the ban was recently lifted). Ankara was predominately manufactured in the western sub-saharan region of Africa. From Guinea/Senegal all the way down to Cameroon, Ankara was the staple fabric of the region. With advent of globalization, free trade and poor government control. Local manufacturers lost the textile market to the wealthy Europeans which invariably led to the demise of the textile industry all over the region.

These days, Ankara is enjoying all sort of attention from Lagos fashionistas. The cut, the style, the integration with other textile materials will leave you spellbound. I'm totally amazed at what they're doing with Ankara these days. Gone are the days when some boring 'Iro and Buba' was all women can sew with Ankara. These days, Lagosians are making fashion statements that would rival the coutures of Italy and France. Fashion statements are not limited to women alone, various men styles are a thing of beauty to behold. I even got one pant sewn in boot cut style (can't wait to nack it! lol ).

Not to be mistaken for a cheap piece (Don't get it twisted), Ankara comes in grade. The higher the grade the more expensive. I've seen Ankara priced as much as the best of the best European Lace in the market. Like my people would say "You cut your coat according to your size". Such remarkable comeback reminds of the that biblical saying " the rejected stone which has now become the corner stone" -- That is Ankara for you.