A History of African Fashion: 10 Skills in 90 Seconds
· Episode 3 of 10
Episode 3 / 10
The Wax Print Story: From Java to West Africa
What caused Dutch manufacturers to redirect their wax-resist printed fabrics from Indonesia to West Africa?
Indonesian buyers rejected the fabrics because the mechanized process created unintended bubble and crackle patterns. Dutch traders then rerouted the shipments to West Africa, where consumers enthusiastically embraced the bold designs.
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