african fashion renaissance – progressing from the past to the future | dunia magazine

HomeAbout Us

Today’s Inspirational WordSubscribe

E-magazine TermsContent SurveyNewsletterPollDunia CoversRenew SubscriptionYour E-Magazine

AdvertisersIn Dunia print magDunia SponsorSupport DuniaMedia Kit

Contact UsSubmissions to DUNIA

Book Releases and ReviewsGallery

Ebeny Amstrong – Tapez-TapezDesigner Eva GabarraMichelle ObamaFashion Spring inspirationColor with Isaac MizrahiEleanor Leonne BennettPOSTCARDS from DUNIAAuthentic Style

StoreBusiness Directory

List your Business

Enter your search keywords here...

Advertisement

BOOKSColumns

Christian Reflections on TALK To LIAEXPRESS IT by ImaneFrom the Editor's DeskLady Bernadette

Current EventsFaces of GreatnessFamily & FinancesFashionFiction & PoetryHealth & BeautyInterviewsNews release

Latest TrendsPeople & CulturePersonal development

InspirationPrint magazineRecipesRelationships

African Fashion Renaissance – Progressing from the past to the ... http://www.duniamagazine.com/2011/07/fashion-eva-gabarra-af...

1 of 10 11/19/12 10:43 PM

TweetTweet 3

Travel

Dunia | Fashion

African Fashion Renaissance – Progressing from the past to the future16 July 2011

Share

by Fanele Chester. First posted in Dunia Magazine – print (Issue 2)

Eva Gabarra’s success in fashion is a recurrent tale of sacrifice, hard-work, risk taking, and talent. The Senegalese native was a private-school teacher for three years, a secretary for another five years before fully dedicating herself to her true love of fashion design. Thebeginning was not all glamor either; Eva began by opening a boutique in Senegal for French label, RESSILE, in 2000. Five years later,experience in hand and more creative juices flowing, she went on to launch her line Eva Gabarra Couture in 2005. The next five years,fueled by motivation and seized opportunities, the fashion house was propelled to Paris and Dakar. Eva’s big break came in 2009 during theVLISCO Concours de Jeunes Créateurs 2009 in Paris. This was her launch-pad into international recognition.

Like 10


2 of 10 11/19/12 10:43 PM

Why is Eva Gabarra’s story so interesting? It is simply because she is representative of the nature of contemporary fashion in Africa. First, her designs know no boundaries. Although the inspiration is decidedly African, her designs appeal tothe modern and cosmopolitan woman especially one who travels or lives abroad, and has a style that is influenced by her internationalenvironment. In the end, you get designs with a contemporary regality, made for a confident woman.

Second, the epicenter of African fashion is not in Africa. Western popular fashion typically converges in four cities: London, Paris, NewYork and Milan. Coincidentally, African fashion is following the same pattern, taking root in Johannesburg, Dakar, Paris and New York;there is no one epicenter. EGC’s base in Dakar and strong presence in Paris is testament to this. There are social and economic ties to thecities in which African fashion has established itself, however more revealing are the ways in which Africans continue to progress both inour native countries and our countries of residence. What you get in the end is a resultant fusion of both cultures.

The success of African designers lies in manipulating this tension between what is African and what is Western, andturning this into a form of creative expression that women and fashion lovers can appreciate. Eva’s fabrics of choice include silk, muslin,organza, lace, sequins with a backdrop of high-fashion VLISCO Wax Hollandais fabric, of which she is the ambassador in Senegal.As more African artists give-up their 9-to-5 jobs to answer their artists’ call to life, it will be interesting to note how this will shape oursocial structure over the next decade. Some countries like South Africa are already investing more into the arts than others, and are holdingthe torch for the rest of the continent. It is designers like Eva, who take the leap with confidence and incredible talent, who will ultimatelypave the path for others. With a vision that distends from the past, from history, into the future and its possibilities, designers are partakingin this African Renaissance that is like none that has been seen in the past fifty years.

Fanele blogs on FASHION ET AL

—————————

Be a fan of Dunia on FACEBOOK

—————————

Join our mailing list for your free monthly newsletter

You might like:

10

Like


3 of 10 11/19/12 10:43 PM

0vigrx plus

Reply

Enter text right here!

Comment as a Guest, or login:

Name Email Website (optional)

Displayed next to your comments. Not displayed publicly. If you have a website, link to it here.

Submit Comment

[?]

Comments

0 comments

Previous Post

« Young Portuguese João Melo discusses his career choice in Aviation

Next Post

6 Components of a good marriage (including video) »

Comments (4)bad at math but needed for writing? | new lasik[...] Fashion: Eva Gabarra – African Fashion Renaissance | Dunia Magazine [...]

i really like this site.. thanks

Tips Canggih Mengirim Email Di Kantor :: Product Review[...] Fashion: Eva Gabarra – African Fashion Renaissance | Dunia Magazine [...]

Mengapa waktu Asian Idol, penyanyi yang tampil adalah Peterpan? :: Gosip Artis Hari Ini | Gosip Artis Terkini | Gosip Artis Terbaru[...] Fashion: Eva Gabarra – African Fashion Renaissance | Dunia Magazine [...]

Post a new comment

Subscribe to None

Impacting Positivelyand Witnessing theTransformation fromwithin withJOSEPHINEATANGA

“Values & LoveCome BeforeDiscipline”. Q&Awith Educator andInspirational SpeakerDr Nicoline Ambe

A Muslim-FriendlyConservativePresident for theAmerican-MuslimVoter

DUNIA featuresActor &HumanitarianISAIAHWASHINGTON in aSpecial Edition

Facebook social plugin

CommentPosting as Fanele Love (Change)

Add a comment...

Post to Facebook


4 of 10 11/19/12 10:43 PM

Recent POSTS on DuniaMagazine.com

Fussy Imane giving advice on how to be ‘satisfied’!Back to the Basics of Building Lasting and Healthy RelationshipsA Muslim-friendly Conservative President for the American-Muslim VoterMormonism and the U.S. Presidency: Should Mitt Romney Address His Faith?3 Things you can do to avoid Home Mortgage blues during your Retirement YearsE-magazine Special Edition with Award winning Actor Isaiah Washington now availableVANITY PERSONIFIED: From Individual Wealth to War-front PlunderDesigner EVA GABARRA showcases at the Ethno Tendance Fashion Week-End BrusselsExtreme Body Modification Practices in the name of Beauty: Neck rings and Lip plates5 Ways African Men Can Become Better Husbands

What's your story?At Dunia, we believe that there's power in diversity and in the fascinatinggreatness of our cultures. We want to tell your story!

Write to us

back to home page

Must reads

>>How African men can becomebetter husbands

>>Seeking Asylum in the U.K.

>>Pump up your creative juices– 7tips

>>My Name is Innocent. What’s in aName?

Email your story to [email protected]


5 of 10 11/19/12 10:43 PM

Previously featured

Mormonism and theUS presidency

You, the World andyour “Boobs”

Criticism is full-timeemployment by LIA

Americans StayOptimistic About‘Getting Ahead

Nik A Ramli's booklaunch

Why AfricanWomen Don’t Often

Date African-American Men

Why Asian kids AreOut-performing

Their Peers

Coffee & FinnishPop Music. Atypical Finnish

workday

DUNIA: The Reader's Magazine

Share the release/review of your book View photos in gallery

advertisement


6 of 10 11/19/12 10:43 PM

Today's Quote

“American Muslims are unconcerned with the race or religion of running candidates, rather they wishto engage politically and connect with the candidate that caters best to their diversity...." Slma

Shelbayah ...continue

Top Articles now

1. A Muslim-friendly Conservative President for the American-Muslim Voter1.2. A few smart ways to cut down on household expenses2.

3. Back to the Basics of Building Lasting and Healthy Relationships3.4. What Makes A Man Connect With YOU?4.

5. E-magazine Special Edition with Award winning Actor Isaiah Washington now available5.

DUNIA Spotlight on Greatness

>>Danithea Ward organizes the best parties for kids. Her story on pg 8 of your free e-magazine1.by Dunia mag

A Culture of HappyLiving


7 of 10 11/19/12 10:43 PM

>>What's in this issue of DUNIA print?FREE E-magazine

***

- 4 Grammatical Mistakes thatMake You Look… well,

not-so-smart

1.

- How to Properly Dispose ofMedications

2.

- How to Tweak Your Thoughtsfor a Better Life

3.

- Blogging tips for beginners4.- 9 Tips on How to Approach the

Girl You Like5.

Your voice

>>The American-Muslim vote in these elections

***

>>POLL: Would you give up your dreams to support your partner's? VOTE

***

Facing Ourselves

---

1. Befitting Funeral or Befitting Life?1.2. They are still our Slaves: BLACKS DON'T READ2.

3. Video of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I have a dream” speech3.4. Mario Balotelli: Italy’s Rising Star defies racial abuse4.

5. Young Girls Face Breast Ironing in Cameroon5.

FASHION EXPRESSNollywood celebs wear African


8 of 10 11/19/12 10:43 PM

>>View photos

Real People, Real Stories

on DUNIAMAGAZINE.com

U.S.A. Cameroon

UK Nigeria

Brazil Qatar

Finland Senegal

Zimbabwe Write to us


9 of 10 11/19/12 10:43 PM

Popular

The Growth of Islam in U.S.Prisons. Discussion with Muslim

Chaplin Dr. M.A. Qazi5 reasons why African men make

good husbands5 Ways To Win Your Partner’s

HeartHow families can become debtfree in today’s financial plagueMuammar Gaddafi: Friend or

Foe? Discussions from both sidesAfrican Fashion Review of the

Past DecadeGarlic Roasted Chicken

Beauty, Dignity and Brains:Photos of Her Highness Sheikha

Mozah of QatarYoung Portuguese João Melodiscusses his career choice in

AviationWhy African Women Don’t Often

Date African-American Men

Home Connect Facebook RSS Newsletter Magazine About Photos Digital Contact Advertise

© 2012 Dunia Magazine.

A Wealth Alliance Systems Company


10 of 10 11/19/12 10:43 PM

african fashion renaissance – progressing from the past to the future | dunia magazine

Documents