Folashade "Shade" Thomas-Fahm is a hugely important figure in Nigerian fashion. She is one of the designers who will be celebrated at the "Africa Fashion" exhibition at London's Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) next year. She is pictured at the 1957 London Earls Court Motorboat show.
Folashade "Shade" Thomas-Fahm is a hugely important figure in Nigerian fashion. She is one of the designers who will be celebrated at the "Africa Fashion" exhibition at London's Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) next year. She is pictured at the 1957 London Earls Court Motorboat show.
Courtesy Shade Thomas-Fahm
After studying fashion in London, Thomas-Fahm returned to Nigeria and opened a factory and boutique. She's pictured at the Simpson Street factory, in Lagos, in the late 1960s.
After studying fashion in London, Thomas-Fahm returned to Nigeria and opened a factory and boutique. She's pictured at the Simpson Street factory, in Lagos, in the late 1960s.
Courtesy Shade Thomas-Fahm
Taken from her book "Faces of She," this 1960s image shows Thomas-Fahm's designs made from Nigerian print fabric.
Taken from her book "Faces of She," this 1960s image shows Thomas-Fahm's designs made from Nigerian print fabric.
Courtesy Shade Thomas-Fahm
This picture from the 1960s, taken in Shade's Boutique, Lagos, shows an adaptation of a Yoruba wrapper made from Aso Oke fabric -- a traditional hand-woven cloth.
This picture from the 1960s, taken in Shade's Boutique, Lagos, shows an adaptation of a Yoruba wrapper made from Aso Oke fabric -- a traditional hand-woven cloth.
Courtesy Shade Thomas-Fahm
This dansiki (a traditional Yoruba garment) was designed by Thomas-Fahm, and features Aso Oke cloth with flat-stitch embroidery.
This dansiki (a traditional Yoruba garment) was designed by Thomas-Fahm, and features Aso Oke cloth with flat-stitch embroidery.
Courtesy Shade Thomas-Fahm
As well as showcasing Thomas-Fahm's work, the Africa Fashion exhibition will celebrate past and contemporary African designers. These designs by Ghanaian Kofi Ansah show off his trademark indigo colors. The picture was taken in 1997 in Accra, Ghana.<br />Ansah graduated from the Chelsea School of Art, in London, and returning to Ghana, he became one of the country's most celebrated designers.
As well as showcasing Thomas-Fahm's work, the Africa Fashion exhibition will celebrate past and contemporary African designers. These designs by Ghanaian Kofi Ansah show off his trademark indigo colors. The picture was taken in 1997 in Accra, Ghana.
Ansah graduated from the Chelsea School of Art, in London, and returning to Ghana, he became one of the country's most celebrated designers.
Eric Don-Arthur/Courtesy of The Victoria and Albert Museum
For nearly two decades <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2Fstyle%2Farticle%2Fimane-ayissi-haute-couture%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Cameroonian designer Imane Ayissi</a> has been turning traditional African fabrics into made-to-order womenswear worn by the likes of Zendaya, Angela Bassett and Aissa Maïga. This design is from Haute Couture Fashion Week, in Paris, January 2020.
For nearly two decades Cameroonian designer Imane Ayissi has been turning traditional African fabrics into made-to-order womenswear worn by the likes of Zendaya, Angela Bassett and Aissa Maïga. This design is from Haute Couture Fashion Week, in Paris, January 2020.
Fabrice Malard/Imane Ayissi/Courtesy of The Victoria and Albert Museum
This catwalk image from around 1992-1993 shows clothes by Alphadi, a renowned designer from Niger.
This catwalk image from around 1992-1993 shows clothes by Alphadi, a renowned designer from Niger.
Alphadi/Courtesy of The Victoria and Albert Museum
This outfit is by pioneering Malian designer Chris Seydou, who is known for his use of traditional Malian textiles.
This outfit is by pioneering Malian designer Chris Seydou, who is known for his use of traditional Malian textiles.
Nabil Zorkot/Courtesy of The Victoria and Albert Museum
As well as highlighting designers, the exhibition will showcase textiles. Worn as a wraparound skirt, this "adire eleko" is an indigo dyed cloth from Nigeria. The pattern has been painted onto the cloth using chicken feathers, a palm leaf and a matchstick. This cloth was made in Ibadan, in south-western Nigeria.
As well as highlighting designers, the exhibition will showcase textiles. Worn as a wraparound skirt, this "adire eleko" is an indigo dyed cloth from Nigeria. The pattern has been painted onto the cloth using chicken feathers, a palm leaf and a matchstick. This cloth was made in Ibadan, in south-western Nigeria.
Courtesy of The Victoria and Albert Museum