To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Buy African Fabric
My mission is very simple. I want people to buy African fabric, but not just that, I want people to buy authentic, good quality African prints and batiks.
I recently came across an article written in Punch, a Nigerian daily newspaper titled Chinese ankara chases Nigerian brands out of market which highlights the plight of the textile industry in Nigeria. This plight is suffered in other countries in West Africa. It is not a problem exclusive to one country. There is another even more disturbing one in the Daily Trust: How textiles closure cost over 2,700 lives in Kaduna.
In theory I am not against with any particular country producing any particular product. What I do have an issue with is when there is passing off, forgery and downright copyright infringement. In addition, in order to undercut the prices of existing textile manufacturers, the producers of these illegal imports provide what is quite simply substandard quality. Fabric that runs once washed, little or no durability of the fabric among other things.
The debate about the origins and authenticity of ‘African print’ with its roots in Indonesia and Dutch trade are quite separate from the points raised by this article.
These industries should be allowed to thrive in order to contribute to the local economy, providing a substantial amount of jobs and by so doing, improving the lives of the average person.
The fabric I have for sale in my Fabric Store is sourced from African producers and manufacturers. This is because I think as African countries are the largest consumers of African fabric, the industries should be supported in these countries through import restrictions, clamping down on copyright infringements and so on. The Adire in stock is made by hand in Oshogbo in Osun state, Nigeria. The wax prints are mostly produced by NICHEM and Abada which are both Nigerian companies.
Doing the little we can at Urbanstax and hoping to see a turnaround very soon.
2 replies to “Buy African Fabric”
Amin Premji
Looking for authentic kitenge and Ankara wholesale fabrics for a designer shop in kenya
dolapo
Thank you for your interest. We are currently a retail shop and do ship worldwide. Kindly send us an email if you have further enquiries.
Related Posts
The Gift Shop
Our gift shop is filling up! We recently launched a gift shop as a section on our website and the idea is to share with you some of our fabulous …
Buy Ankara, Buy Adire, Buy Aso-oke
The shop is now open! Previously, all our gorgeous fabrics could be purchased from our Etsy store. Look no further as you can now buy directly from us right here. …
Fabric Samples
We now offer a sample service where you can order fabric swatches to allow you to look at colours, texture and feel before buying. You can choose from the Shweshwe …
Fabric of the Week: Turquoise and Brown
Our fabric of the week is a colour combination; turquoise and chocolate brown. We have a selection of shweshwe prints in this particular colour and there is something just so …