UNT MFA Exhibition (2024)

MFA Exhibition 2024 University of North Texas (UNT)

Bantu and Braid In Rococo

An innovative approach of blending African cultural heritage with European historical fashion involves incorporating pieces from Bantu knots and braids to imitate Rococo lace patterns. This results in the creation of a new and unique texture, characterized by its softness and smoothness, which deviates from the usual lace that is typically delicate but firm so providing a fresh tactile touch.
In this combination, the adoption of 3D printing technology, particularly using TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) filament, plays an essential part. TPU is a well-known material for wearable textiles that has a modern take on lace because of its flexibility, resilience, and smooth finish. The reworking of European fashion features through the prism of modern technology is made feasible by traditional African hairstyling techniques, symbolizing a wonderful cross-cultural conversation. This work not only signifies an important success in the realm of textile design but also serves as a cultural expression that highlights the combination and admiration of various cultural legacies.

Bantu Knots

Bantu knots are frequently seen adorning celebrities at prestigious events, gracing the covers of magazines on models, and even being worn casually by close acquaintances in the comfort of their home. Bantu knots symbolize pro-Blackness and self-love, but they also face criticism, misinterpretation, and exploitation owing to cultural standards associated with Black historical traditions.

Afro

The Afro hairstyle originated in Africa, where people adorned their hair in natural ways for generations before colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade.
The African American (Afro) community gained significant prominence in the United States during the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the later Black Power and Black is Beautiful movements. In contemporary society, the Afro hairstyle is widely embraced, gaining admiration for its visual attractiveness and cultural and historical import.

Bantu Knots

Bantu Knots originated from the "Bantu people," a collective name including more than 300 ethnic groups in southern Africa. Similar to many other forms of protective hairstyles, it is quite simple to accomplish. Federico 2017 To create small knots or "buns" in your hair, employ a rat tail comb to divide your hair into small portions. "Bantu knots" is derived from the Bantu people, who are native to various parts of Africa. These individuals have cultivated a prosperous heritage in the realm of hair maintenance and styling, elevating it to the status of an art form that surpasses simply visual appeal.

Braids

Braids have their origins in African culture and have had a significant impact throughout history. Braids are considered more than just a hairstyle; they are viewed as an art form that has transcended its basic cultural significance. braiding originated in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia. Braided hairstyles were used as a distinctive method of identifying different tribes. Braid patterns and hairstyles were used to signify a person's tribe, age, marital position, wealth, authority, and religion. Braiding has always been a social art.

Braids

Braids are celebrated and worn in several styles in contemporary society. Individuals who previously would not have worn them are now accepting and adopting them. Women are adopting various approaches to the braiding technique. From sleek lines to natural and tousled braids. Women are adopting an innovative approach to being stylish.

Cornrows

Cornrows had origins dating back to 3000 B.C. in Africa. The patterns usually denoted the specific tribe to which an individual belonged and their status within that group. Warriors and queens utilized cornrows as a symbol of their social standing. Today, this style is observed globally and carries importance throughout West Africa, Sudan, and across the Horn of Africa. The close-fitting, tidy design is worn near the scalp and can be accessorized with shells, glass, coral, flowers, and/or twigs intertwined throughout.

Cornrow

Cornrows are named from their resemblance to the precisely aligned rows of crops in fields. In the Caribbean, this pattern was occasionally referred to as cane rows. Enslaved individuals frequently styled their hair in cornrows for practicality during the week. It was frequently worn on Sundays, as it was their sole day off. Enslaved Africans utilized cornrows as a form of communication code to plan escapes. Cornrow hairstyles are available in a wide variety of shapes, designs, and arrangements. At the core of this diversity are pattern formulas known as "algorithms" in the field of computer science.

The Black Hair Empowerment at Its Core

This design draws inspiration from the diverse hairstyles used by the designer’s mother on various occasions and events. In the narrative, this dress's hair reflects a modern hairstyle our parents may not be able to afford. Through a range of colors, this design aims to evoke emotions such as hope, tension, success, and empowerment, all intertwined with the artistry of different hairstyles. Thus, the purpose of this design is to narrate how infrequent hairstyles empower children and how they affect them by using fashion as a medium. This design research uncovers the concealed story behind a particular black hair's aesthetic, beauty, and empowerment.

The Chronicle of Black Hair

The challenges of single motherhood affect children's outcomes. Berryhill and Dursch (2016)stated that the average socioemotional, academic, and statistical test scores of children from single-parent families are lower than those of children from two-parent households. Through all their struggles, single parents still strive to dress, look nice, and hide their pain behind their dresses and hairstyles on many occasions. For Africans, the social impact of black hair was significant, and the cosmetic aspects of black hair were equally essential (Byrd & Tharps 2014). This study used upcycling and crocheting to design a garment to tell the story of a black mother with black hair.

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Gloria Makafui Mifetu