"Well written, highly readable, and very accessible...covers a whole range of topics relating to various historical, economic, social, and artistic dimensions that constitute contemporary African fashion."---Mary Jo Arnoldi, Smithsonian Institution<BR><BR>"Fashions globally focus on the here and now, embracing and emphasizing change. African fashions have existed across the continent much longer than often imagined, and the complexity of the continent itself---geographically, culturally, historically---means that readers of this volume will quickly learn that fashion is not monolithic in contemporary Africa, but varied across regions and countries, even within a single country."---from the foreword by Joanne B. Eicher<BR><BR>African fashion is as diverse and dynamic as the continent and the people who live there. While experts have long recognized the importance of clothing as a marker of ethnic identity, life stages, political affiliation, and social class, they have only just begun to discover African fashion. Contemporary African Fashion puts Africa at the intersection of world cultures and globalized identities, displaying the powerful creative force and impact of newly emerging styles. Richly illustrated with color photographs, this book showcases haute coutre for the African continent. The visual impact of fashion created and worn today in Africa comes to life here, beautifully and brilliantly.