The 'Wearable ART Collection' by Queen Ahneva Ahneva

This WEARABLE ART COLLECTION shows more of her imagination and originality “Fashion is inexhaustible and I want my clients to  have a new experience when they wear this new collection. Living in an emerging society many times we take for granted the rich cultural heritage we have. 

With the influences of Television and music scenes more and more we are reaching for Europeans , Asian and Western fashion”  So it was very important for her to use indigenous textiles and original African processes. but more importantly she wants the wearer to connect with the culture because when you wear your culture you wear your crown.

Africa has always been a big part of her fashion fascination, she has always been inspired by the rich cultural heritage. The fabrics patterns and the processes by which they were made have always amazed her. The Wearable ART collection is a tribute to the Art and the ARTISRY that is Africa. She has incorporated rich warm colours of deep greens and blues. She also has used sunrise sunset colours as well for a more vibrant feeing.

Africa created all the master sciences in the fashion industry such as the original processes of batik dyeing, beading and embroidery all of which has been incorporated into The Wearable ART collection.

Using Batik she  recreated everyday lifestyle scenes depicting women cooking, fetching water, and men hunting, men consulting under the tree in the village square. After the art work has been done in batik. She further embellished the art scene with crystal beads and sequins to adorn the garment with a certain holiday feeling. Many of the garments in this collection speak to the spirit of the people because when you look at the art it reminds you of being in the village, growing up as a child and the daily chores you undertook which many times congers up pleasant memories.  She also included the scarce symbols in the pattern on the pure silk gowns and dresses which she also has in some cases accented with beadworks.

Interestingly she has mixed together different concepts and materials that are not generally used together such as sequins with batik, lace with beaded mud cloth from (Mali) creating another dimension to the collection.Africa is in the centre of the world with so many different lands languages and cultures. She tried to make sure that this collection has a global appeal, tapping into her creative thinking and expression to show how she perceive Art and Fashion as one.

“I have designed this collection to prayerfully inspire the wearer to appreciate the Rich Diverse Cultural heritage that is sought after worldwide. Now is our time Africa is Rising this is your culture your crown …WEAR IT”