Wax & Co : Anthologie Des Tissus Imprimés D'afrique

Anthology of African printed fabrics The fashion is for African fabrics, especially wax, whose graphic signature, with its vibrant colors and slightly offbeat patterns, is recognizable among thousands. 

We would forget that this print, born in the mid-nineteenth century, is the result of a long history between Europe, Africa and Asia. Industrial Batik developed by the Dutch, the wax is first intended for Indonesians - who shun it. But it was a huge success in West Africa where it made the wealth of the Nana Benz, these pioneer traders who knew how to spread and popularize it. 

Today, the wax market is shared between several manufacturers: European, African and Asian. It is a complex reflection of the links between Africa and the rest of the world. Anne Grosfïlley, an anthropologist specializing in textiles and fashion in Africa, has been travelling the roads of wax, kanga and shweshwe for over twenty years. She invites us to discover the little-known history of African prints through her exceptional collection of fabrics. An unforgettable textile journey where the language of designs acquires a new dimension.