Nigeria designer SilknPurple on Showcase At FESTAC Fashion Show in Zanzibar

By Dimeji Alara

The audience at the ongoing Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) enjoyed a vibrant display of colours last Saturday, as various designers showcased African culture through their fashion pieces at the FESTAC fashion show.

Models of all sizes walked the runway at the event centre, hotel Verde, Zanzibar, highlighting the creations of several African designers. Among those featured was Mercy Nuvie Nnamani, who presented the latest creations of SilknPurple.
SilknPurple’s collection was a significant attempt to mix African tradition and modern design. The pieces feature traditional African designs and a distinctive use of fringe, both of which contribute significantly to the brand’s distinct storytelling of current African fashion. The geometric and colourful motifs are full of symbolism, honouring African artistry. The vibrant patterns and beautiful designs exemplify the depth of African artistry.

The usage of traditional fabric is particularly commendable because it conveys the essence of African ancestry while serving as a visual anchor for the outfit’s theme. The fringes attached to the fabric create a sense of movement, making the costume appear active on display. They add a dramatic flair that complements the design’s storytelling intent.

Despite its strong conceptual underpinning, the design faces hurdles in terms of visual harmony and usability. Excessive fringe, particularly around the chest and torso, detracts from the overall form and overshadows the garment’s aesthetic appeal. In one of the pieces, the white fringe trimming on the upper portion stands out dramatically from the traditional print, providing a jarring impact that destroys the look’s coherence. While the contrast may be intended to showcase the wearer’s upper body, it really disrupts the outfit’s flow, pulling attention away from the detailed patterns in the fabric and making the design appear disconnected.

Furthermore, the thick arrangement of fringes around the waist and lower torso disturbs the natural contour, adding bulk to regions that would otherwise have a more streamlined appearance. The excess of fringe detracts from the elegance of the fabric and appears to choose visual impact above balance. This design decision risks overshadowing the traditional print, which is an important part of the garment’s storytelling. Because viewers are more likely to concentrate on the fringes than the cultural elements inherent in the print, the design unintentionally undermines the cultural narrative it aims to convey by letting the fabric take a backseat.

The attraction of this item might be greatly increased by using fringe in a more subdued manner. For example, restricting the fringe to accent pieces, like the sleeves or bottom hem, could maintain the texture and movement while keeping the classic designs as the main attraction. A more cohesive look would also result from choosing fringes in a colour that blends in rather than contrasts with the cloth, making the pattern appear deliberate rather than disorganised.

Ultimately, the outfit reflects SilknPurple’s ambition to push African fashion on the global scenery, a goal that might have resonates with some of the audiences’ seeking representation for Africa fashion on international runway.