African textiles are taking an important place in global conversations on ownership and culture. Given recent controversy with brands like Christian Dior and Vlisco, Africans and Afrodiasporans seek to have greater creative control and economic return from their cultural relics.

African or African inspired textiles have key attributes that reflect African identity, heritage, ancestry and culture, and yet, the most popular textiles are not made by Africans. As such, there is an ongoing conversation about whether wax print is truly African if it is not largely made by Africans? Which leads to a bigger question: Who exactly is making our clothing and does that matter when considering cultural, environmental and economic sustainability? 

Join us as we explore the future of fashion by thinking about the "who" behind our local textiles and clothing and the "how" of building a sustainable fashion industry that is culturally and socially conscious.