Wearing Richter This Fall: Art-Inspired Fashion

I went to Washington D.C for the first time this past May. I had less than forty-eight hours to see everything, and boy did I try to see everything. I lugged my backpack around and went to more than three museums, trespassed a posh hotel for a cool drink, let the sun graze my skin a little too aggressively than I would’ve liked, and most importantly, saw a Gerhard Richter painting! It was so yellow and creamy and I just wanted to eat it. As I looked at it, streaked with pinks and deep crimsons, hovering just a couple of inches off the ground, I wondered what it would look like against my skin. What would it look like as a dress?

All hail Abstract Painting # 780-1

When I was a student, when Art was becoming more of a certainty than an afterthought, a professor suggested I look at Gerhard Richter’s paintings. I liked the rich and buttery surfaces of his paintings, they seemed to sustain miniature civilizations within them. I enjoyed watching videos of his process, the pressing and rolling and peeling, he barely used brushes and I didn’t like using brushes and I fantasized that perhaps if I too, rolled and pressed and peeled, I could produce those textures. I liked the fact that he doesn’t speak English and so his videos are not laden with explanations of “hidden meanings” that are not even there.

So back to the yellow-ish painting I wanted to eat. Its left corner had steely blues that were interjected with stripes of yellow, to make for a less abrupt transition to the other warmer-toned corner, I guess. But the yellow stripes, laid thinly on top of the darker background, brought to mind cotton and yarn spread delicately across a loom, ready to be spun. So naturally, I thought of clothing— the kind that’s woven and oftentimes become indelible marks of a culture, a testament to its durability. I thought of the Kente and the Batakari and the Bogolan and all the fabrics that are imbued with stories of peoples whose stories are sometimes forgotten.

There’s something formidable and lasting about thick and woven surfaces. I think that’s the reason I’m not too anxious about the growing popularity of the Kente cloth; maybe even when it’s borrowed and worn without much understanding or thought, its dignity will not erode because it’s thick. Go figure!

So in attempt to incorporate a more fashion-forward side to this blog, I’ve curated a “mini collection” based on the Gerhard Richter painting I saw that day. I want this post to be an homage to thick pieces, patterns that remind me of home, and colors that look edible! Especially since Fall is underway and heavy clothing is becoming more of a necessity than a vibe.

This smock from Madewell is not exactly thick or woven but the pattern reminds me of the batakari.

How lovely is this jumpsuit? It’s from William Okpo, a contemporary womenswear line owned by Nigerian-American sisters, Darlene and Lizzy Okpo. It’s cute but only check the price at your own risk.

This sweater from Free People looks so cozy! The powder-blue is what gets me.

I’ve been watching these Madewell pants from afar, but now that they’re on sale I might actually get them.

This dress from Topshop looks like it could be a year-round closet staple. Love the tailoring.

How adorable is this whole outfit? The pink looks edible and I’m here for it!

These 70s inspired bell bottoms from Free People will make you look artsy if nothing.

Square Necklines and Mustard Everything

When I was in Korea last Summer, I bought a square-neckline mustard top for 18 dollars. At the time I didn’t know whether or not it was a bargain, and I wasn’t particularly eager to find out considering the fact that I wasn’t even allowed to try it on at the store. It looked good on the mannequin and that was enough for me. When I got home and finally got to slip it on, I was disappointed in the linen fabric and how it sat on my chest like a tent. I was also convinced there was nothing in my closet to make it look good enough-- I mean what could transform a boxy-looking tomboyish top into the nondescript style that’s more my taste?

These are questions you ask when you have time to ask questions. I realize that on most mornings I have neither the time nor the interest to query anything in my wardrobe. Everything makes sense when you don’t have time to dig through mountain-piles of clothes. White pencil skirts and boxy mustard tops, hologram sandals and square mustard tops, tenty mustard tops and purplish paisley pants-- they all make perfect sense.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. It appears that the boxy-cut, square neckline thing is making waves in the American fashion world. Bloggers and models and stylists and people who know what they’re talking about, are all wearing it. And at long last, what once used to make me doubt my sartorial sanity now makes me feel like the discoverer of sliced bread. It’s even more fun because the square neckline is now paired with puffy sleeves!

Express Square Neck Puff Sleeve Blouse

If the idea of Anne of Green Gables style tops tickles your fancy, then please take a look at these ones below!

A Case For The Fledgling Fashionista

When I first conceived the idea of starting a blog, I thought long and hard about whether or not to include a fashion section that would journal my relationship with style. But then I concluded, better not. My ideal relationship with style would be one where I wake up and all I have to do is shimmy this way and that and have clothes drape over my body in all the right places. I think it’s too much work to think about every outfit and so I don’t. I love dressing for the occasional formal outing and I do like to make an effort when it’s warm out but mostly I wear the first thing I find.

For the longest time, if you were to ask me to describe my style in one word I would've probably told you without hesitation, "non-existent." But now that I have somewhat of a disposable income to spend on clothes(much to the joy of my dear mother), I’ve been shopping a lot more and I’m realizing a pattern-- a style if you will. I have an affinity for linen and yolky mustards and creamy whites and pants that don’t hug too tightly. Beyond the surface though, I think I’m in pursuit of finding a style that somehow lends a voice to the discourse around what it means to be an African who lives a multilayered existence that’s informed by various experiences. Chimamanda Adichie and Yaa Gyasi write about this and Njideka Crosby tries to capture it in her paintings-- the idea of inhabiting multiple spaces simultaneously. What it means to be an African outside of Africa.

I’ve been on a hunt to find fashion brands who’re also trying to answer this question and to my amusement there’s quite a few out there(turns out my idea wasn’t as novel as I thought). Although most of them are exorbitantly priced and not actually owned by Black people, here’s a few I love.

Osei-Duro

This brand is dedicated to working with local Ghanaian artisans to preserve traditional fabric-making techniques. A noble pursuit for sure, especially since the local apparel industry is being crowded out by foreign-owned textile companies. Their clothes certainly capture the effortless vibe that I try to emulate on most days and very much aligns with the loose-fitted boxy-cuts and muted tones that’s become characteristic of many contemporary womenswear brands in the US(think Madewell).

Wanger Ayu

Wanger Ayu is bolder with her love for bright colors and wild textures. She’s also not afraid to experiment with frills and lace and sequins and beads and that is what I love about her! Also maybe this is because her clothes are modeled by women I might actually run into on the street, but it looks to me that the Wanger Ayu girl is not trying to hide the fact that she’s a woman. The brand's aesthetic is extra feminine and for the girl who’s not worried about being judged for wearing a too bright lipstick or wearing platforms in Central Park.

Meena

Another Nigeria-based womenswear brand that I have a massive crush on! The designs are incredibly architectural and minimalistic like I haven't seen elsewhere. Most of the patterns you’ll see here are whimsical and understated and not as festive as typical Ankara prints. Plus, the not-wax fabrics lend themselves to more versatile designs besides the usual kaba and slit. Meena is worn by the likes of Genevieve Nnaji, Chimamanda Adichie and Yvonne Nelson-- a fact that assures me I won’t be wearing any of their dresses anytime soon. A girl can dream though.