Masterpieces of industrial art & sculpture at the International exhibition, 1862
Tag: African customs
Traditional African dress, culture and customs of the various regions.

Auguste Racinet. The Costume History by Françoise Tétart-Vittu.
Racinet's Costume History is an invaluable reference for students, designers, artists, illustrators, and historians; and a rich source of inspiration for anyone with an interest in clothing and style. Originally published in France between 1876 and 1888, Auguste Racinet’s Le Costume historique was in its day the most wide-ranging and incisive study of clothing ever attempted.
Covering the world history of costume, dress, and style from antiquity through to the end of the 19th century, the six volume work remains completely unique in its scope and detail. “Some books just scream out to be bought; this is one of them.” ― Vogue.com

Armed San men about to set off on an expedition. Khoisan Peoples.
Armed San men about to set off on an expedition. Khoisan Peoples of South Africa, by Samuel Daniell.

Auguste Racinet. The Costume History by Françoise Tétart-Vittu.
Racinet's Costume History is an invaluable reference for students, designers, artists, illustrators, and historians; and a rich source of inspiration for anyone with an interest in clothing and style. Originally published in France between 1876 and 1888, Auguste Racinet’s Le Costume historique was in its day the most wide-ranging and incisive study of clothing ever attempted.
Covering the world history of costume, dress, and style from antiquity through to the end of the 19th century, the six volume work remains completely unique in its scope and detail. “Some books just scream out to be bought; this is one of them.” ― Vogue.com

Musician of the Bateke tribe representing a orchestral group.
From a photograph taken among the Bateke tribe, Central Africa, representing a orchestral group.

Textilepedia. The Complete Fabric Guide.
The Textile Manual is an encyclopaedia of textile information, from material to yarn, from fabric structure to the finishing process. Encompassing practical tips for a range of textiles and detailed visuals, this ultra-accessible manual is the perfect companion for fashion aficionados and aspiring fashion designers.
Africa Nigeria. Nupe woman clothing around 1878.
Nupe woman around 1878. Nupe (also called Nufe or Nyfe) was once a tributary empire to the Sultan of Gwandu, in central Niger
Literature
Couture: then and now Clothes define people. A person's clothing, whether it's a sari, kimono, or business suit, is an essential key to his or her culture, class, personality, or even religion. The Kyoto Costume Institute recognizes the importance of understanding clothing sociologically, historically, and artistically.
The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World Paperback – December 7, 2021
by Virginia Postrel (Author)
From Neanderthal string to 3D knitting, an “expansive” global history that highlights “how textiles truly changed the world” (Wall Street Journal)
Habit of a Woman of Africa in 1581
Habit of a Woman of Africa in 1581 from Habitus Variarum. Africaine Related Posts:Habit of the Sultaness Queen in 1749.THE GRAND SEIGNEUR. The Turkish Sultan in 1749.Habit of an Augustin… Read More
Usagara, Chief of Mamboya, with his son and witch doctor.
Usagara, Tanzania. Chief of Mamboya, with his son and witch doctor.

Fashionpedia - The Visual Dictionary Of Fashion Design
FASHIONPEDIA is a visual fashion dictionary covering all the technical terms from style to material to production with illustrations and infographics. It encompasses rich, extensive information and yet is easy to read. Whether you are an industry insider or a fashion connoisseur, FASHIONPEDIA is all you will ever need to navigate the fashion scene.
Zulu Warrior. Zulu-Kraal. South Africa 1899.
Zulu Warrior. South Africa 1899. Wedding dance, ornaments utensils, interior hut.
Costume of Gambia. Voyage to Africa 1823.
Costume of Gambia. Related Posts:Adoo Quamina in war dress. Ashanti Ghana.Hairdress of a Woman of N’Djamena, Chad.Woman hairdress from Central African Republic. Egyptian Book of the Dead: The Book of… Read More
Historical Berber costumes from Morocco, 1862.
Historical Berber costumes. Morocco, 1862. Related Posts:Warrior of the Tuareg. Tamasheq. Guerrier de Tuarick.Moorish nomads. Berber from Algeria, North Africa.Algerian women in their house-clothes, 19th century. Egyptian Book of the Dead: The Book… Read More
Adoo Quamina in war dress. Ashanti Ghana.
Adoo Quamina in war dress, a captain and courtier to the Ashanti king at Coomassie (Kumasi).

Auguste Racinet. The Costume History by Françoise Tétart-Vittu.
Racinet's Costume History is an invaluable reference for students, designers, artists, illustrators, and historians; and a rich source of inspiration for anyone with an interest in clothing and style. Originally published in France between 1876 and 1888, Auguste Racinet’s Le Costume historique was in its day the most wide-ranging and incisive study of clothing ever attempted.
Covering the world history of costume, dress, and style from antiquity through to the end of the 19th century, the six volume work remains completely unique in its scope and detail. “Some books just scream out to be bought; this is one of them.” ― Vogue.com

The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World Paperback – December 7, 2021
by Virginia Postrel (Author)
From Neanderthal string to 3D knitting, an “expansive” global history that highlights “how textiles truly changed the world” (Wall Street Journal)

Fashionpedia - The Visual Dictionary Of Fashion Design
FASHIONPEDIA is a visual fashion dictionary covering all the technical terms from style to material to production with illustrations and infographics. It encompasses rich, extensive information and yet is easy to read. Whether you are an industry insider or a fashion connoisseur, FASHIONPEDIA is all you will ever need to navigate the fashion scene.

Textilepedia. The Complete Fabric Guide.
The Textile Manual is an encyclopaedia of textile information, from material to yarn, from fabric structure to the finishing process. Encompassing practical tips for a range of textiles and detailed visuals, this ultra-accessible manual is the perfect companion for fashion aficionados and aspiring fashion designers.