African Pride

Towards the beginning of the fall semester I got the opportunity to attend the Midwest African Students Association Conference with fellow members of my university’s African Students Association. The conference was a great way to bring together African students with many different ethnic backgrounds, from all over the Midwest together in one place. During the conference we got the opportunity to participate in discussions sessions, an African professionals panel and many social events like a pageant, a dance competition and dance parties. Being in this space together gave us an opportunity to be able to express our cultures, whereas in our respective universities the lack of representation usually causes us to conform to the standard. One major aspect of culture is style, culture influences fashion and fashion can also be an expression of your culture. I’m so grateful for my culture as a Nigerian, I definitely feel like my culture has influenced my style and my interest in style. While I was there I photographed some of my favorite looks to share with you all. Although I wasn’t able to capture all the amazing outfits I saw that weekend please enjoy the following amazing looks.

Ama, Marquette University, Ghanaian
“I actually designed this outfit and had a tailor make it for me. It has other parts to it but I didn’t put it together because I wanted to be business casual today. I got the inspiration [for this outfit] from one of my favorite models.”
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Noor, University of Kentucky, Algerian 
“Part of my identity is obviously the fact that I’m African but it’s also the fact that i’m Muslim so I like being able to show my modesty through my clothing but still pop. So I thought these trousers are good then I just have a blouse on and sneaker cause gotta be comfortable”

Chioma, University of Toledo, Nigerian
“My outfit is a kente two piece outfit. I have on the red shoes to match with it and it’s pretty comfortable two pieces are always the way to go”

Emmanuel, North Carolina Central University, Nigerian
“I’m actually wearing abubakar stationed in Greensboro, North Carolina. My personal tailor, he made this [jacket] for me. And my personal cane.”
Kevin,East Carolina University, Nigerian
“Rockin a native ankara [jacket] I made.”
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Ghanaian
“This[dress] is kente, and I just put fur on the tips”
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-Isioma

*this blog post was originally published MARCH 7, 2018 here*