AFRICAN STYLE ARCHIVE

In 2020, Tosin founded African Style Archive — a digital platform dedicated to documenting African fashion history through archival images, footage, magazines and ephemera. Tosin has curated a thoroughly researched and referenced educational platform for educators, students, and general enthusiasts to learn and engage with — by researching and writing about — sartorial practices of African background. Through African Style Archive, Tosin has collaborated with luxury brands, institutions, fashion designers, collectives, and museums globally.

African Style Archive’s main aims are to:

Challenge stereotypical narratives about African fashion history by highlighting its diversity and richness.

Increase awareness and appreciation for African fashion's historical and cultural significance.

Provide resources and inspiration for designers, researchers, educators, and fashion enthusiasts.

View fullsize ⭐️ On a recent trip to Dakar, Senegal, I had the joy of visiting the studio of Eniola Dawodu @enioladawodu ⭐️ Eniola is a collector of vintage aso oke which she gathers from textile tradeswomen in Yorubaland and reimagines into one-of-a-kind cloaks
View fullsize A hairstyle incorporating braiding and threaded techniques captured by Adama Sylla 🇸🇳 Courtesy Adama Sylla, @yeocheva @tzed_warehouse #africanstylearchive #africanbraiding #blackfashionhistory #africanfashionhistory #senegal
View fullsize Street style in Senegal 🇸🇳 in the 60s photographed by Adama Sylla. Courtesy Adama Sylla, @yeocheva, @tzed_warehouse #africanstylearchive #africanfashionhistory #blackfashionhistory
View fullsize A sartorial glimpse into menswear in the years following Senegal’s independence. Photographs by Adama Sylla 🇸🇳 Courtesy Adama Sylla, @yeocheva @tzed_warehouse #africanstylearchive #africanfashionhistory #60sfashion #senegal #blackfashionh
View fullsize Xuly.Bët @xulybetofficial is a Paris-based fashion brand founded in 1989 by Senegalese-Malian designer Lamine Badian Kouyaté. Kouyaté is known for upcycled garments and incorporating African influences into his designs. Kouyat&ea
View fullsize Mary Orie Rogo, a Kenyan Safari Rally driver and style icon photographed by Mohamed Amin in 1974 🇰🇪 Mary’s accolades include winning Miss Kenya and being the first woman of African descent to participate in the East African Safari Rally. C
View fullsize Takeoff to chic ✈️: The East African airways crew at the Ngong Racecourse, captured by legendary photographer Mohamed Amin in 1970. Courtesy: @salimcamerapixtv / Mohamed Amin Foundation 📸 #africanstylearchive #kenyanfashionhistory #africanfashionh
View fullsize Nairobi street style in the 70s photographed by Mohamed Amin. Courtesy: @salimcamerapixtv / Mohamed Amin Foundation #africanstylearchive #vintagekenya #blackfashionhistory #africanfashionhistory #70skenya
View fullsize Pathé’O with prominent model and friend Kimi Khan for a fashion editorial for his 1987/88 Collection, after taking the first prize in the Ciseaux d’Or competition, which launched his successful career. Abidjan 1987. Pathé&r
View fullsize From the presentation of the Pathé’O collection at the Miss Côte d’Ivoire beauty contest as seen in Pathé’O’s recently released book. Pathé’O is a Burkinabe fashion designer based in Ivory Co
View fullsize Five Ivorian models wearing Pathé’O designs in 1988.  From left to right  - Amy Dosso, Yolande Ouattara, Christiane Levry, Angèle Zaka, and Pépita Kragbé-Coulibaly. Pathé’O is a Burkinab&egra
View fullsize It was an honour for African Style Archive to conduct research for the @ahluwalia ‘Africa is Limitless’ SS23 collection. A super refreshing, bold and stunning collection, merging multi layered influences, symbolism, history, and textiles

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