Cultural Appreciation: Modern African Fashion by Alero Jasmine
Welcome to the Old World New presents: “Cultural Appreciation, Not Appropriation” Series, Installment 4! (See Installment 1 here, 2 here, 3 here)
Diversity is the spice of life. I love pulling influence from different cultures. The easy access to knowledge of different peoples’ heritages has helped shaped me to be who I am today. Therefore, I practice love, not hate. At Old World New, we practice cultural appreciation, not cultural appropriation. Learn about and have respect for the cultures that you seek to emulate – you’ll be happy that you opened your mind to “a whole new world” (I hope you sang that in your Jasmine & Aladdin voice, because I did!).
Cultural Inspiration: Modern African
If you were to scroll through my instagram feed, you would see a lot of kittens, architecture, bloggers, food and FASHION. Some of my favorite pages to follow are those with unexpected fashion, as I have a somewhat unexpected sense of fashion. In the past few years I have seen a rise in the number of small fashion businesses that create clothes that are inspired by traditional African garb. Alero Jasmine, a brand based in London, caught my eye on instagram with its beautiful prints in a new form. Usually I see high waist skirts and flowing dresses with beautiful African inspired printed fabric, such as this one that I found while thrifting. Alero Jasmine provided a whole new perspective by using this vibrant fabric to create street chic style short sets. The shorts can be worn as high waist or low, and the shirt is oversized width wise, but cropped vertically. This is a really fun set, and the pieces would work beautifully mixed and matched with other pieces from your wardrobe.
The “Old World New” Alero Jasmine Style
Since the Pink Teka short set (top // shorts) is such a statement piece all its own, I kept everything else relatively simple. For makeup I switched it up and went with a bold cat eye to match the boldness of this set, and a dark pink lip. I let my hair do what it does – it has a mind of its own. The shoes are a 90s thrifted vintage pair of Fioni sandals with thick heels from Texas Thrift for $9.
all photos by Kali of Rhedeont Photography
Don’t you just love great modern adaptations and interpretations of timeless designs and prints?
xoxo, dolls & dudes
The Comments
Ginger Marie
OMG! This is SO stinking cute. I love African fashion. All those prints are gorgeous and its like they bring out our skin tones or something! haha! Lovely post gal!
Ginger Marie | http://www.thegingermarieblog.com
Jen K
I love love love that outfit! Now if I could just rock it the way you do!
Elle Spann
yes!! This look is so fun and you! I love the pattern and how it is right on trend, without even trying to be. I love your cultural appreciation series!
elle
Southern Elle Style
Tina
I love this look. The pattern, the cut, the colors, I love it!
cuteheads
wow, I LOVE this outfit, and you look great in it! beautiful colors too!
Brooke Ellen
You are rocking this outfit and I just love your hair!!
xoxo
Brooke
Jenn
That looks like such a fun outfit, it’s an instant mood-lifted I’m sure! And those shoes are awesome and what a steal!
Amanda
These photos are on pointe, lady!! So stunning!! <3
xoxo,
Amanda | http://www.TheChambrayBunny.com
Helena
Yes, this is so cute! A gorgeous fabric, and a lovely short set. Very adaptable too.
Love the cat eye, too, by the way.
Logan Can
I love this outfit! I also love that you incorporated your culture into your fashion. You are adorable!
Cynthia @craftoflaughter
I am a huge fan of African prints. Your outfit is adorable. Beautiful photo’s too!
Karen
YOU look so seriously fabulous in this outfit. Really amazing! And love that you also went thrifting – thats a great reminder for me to check these places out! 🙂
xx, Karen
Glam Karen
Darcy
This is fantastic! I think you look great. There is definitely a difference in appreciation and appropriation!
http://www.amemoryofus.com
Terri Ramsey Beavers
That outfit really does give the cultural look. It is adorable, chic, stylish and even elegant combined into an amazing look.
Kaylah Burton
Love the cultural appreciation series! This look is no exception lady!
xx
Kaylah
Debra
This is absolutely gorgeous! I love it!
Nikka Shae
I love your outfit!!!
Lois Alter Mark
What a great outfit! I love the color, the pattern, everything!
Molly Moon
What a great look! This set is fabulous on you, girl!
Molly | Hey There Sunshine
McKenna
Love this look! This outfit looks super comfy but pulled together! My favorite kind!:) xo
McKenna
stylewaltz.com
carrie
SO beautiful!! I love these Cultural Appreciation, Not Appropriation installments! So meaningful…and stylish!! 😉
xo
Carrie
CS Gems
Trish @Almost Sexy Mommy
You look absolutely stunning! It’s beautiful!
Erin
I love your outfit but you, lady… you are stunning!!!
Di
Wow this outfit looks amazing on you!!! Love the colors.
Alex
You are so beautiful! I love the outfit! We had a friend deploy to Africa, and she sent my girls dresses. They love to wear them!
Shelly
Love the print, colors, cut and everything! You are so lovely!
Roxanne
Love that print. So beautiful and it looks great on you!
lexie
You look so darn fabulous! Love the prints!
Taylor
LOVE this! The print is amazing and you totally rock it! The energy you give off in your photos is unreal, I wish I could channel you during my shoots!
xo
Style is Everything
Adaleta Avdic
You are slaying that cat eye- get it girl! I am loving the colors of these pieces too because they’re so unique and different, but also look quite wearable. Love! xx, adaatude.com
Simply Sabrina
This is so beautiful! I love the colors and the prints! You look absolutely fabulous and I can’t wait see more!
x. Sabrina // Simply Sabrina
Amanda
Love this romper!
xx,
Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com
Mary
Love this fabulous twin set on you lady! The pattern and colors are gorgeous! Love your photos!
Sportsanista
Cymone | The Block is Haute
I love it! Cultural appreciation is such a better term. Keep it up girl.
xoxo. | cymone.
The Block is Haute
karissa
That is a really cute outfit. Love it.
alexandria waning
I love this; I think I said that on IG. I love a great two piece outfit. You make me want to get my nose ring back, too!
yanique
I love the look and you and that African print is gorgeous. I love that they are making more trendy pieces out of African print.
Brittany Buie
This is absolutely gorgeous! I love your style and your posts are always so fun a filled with life! Beautiful!
Xo,
Brittany || http://www.prettyandsassy.com
Chandler MacWilliam
At first I thought you had on a romper and then I kept scrolling and saw that it was a two piece and I fell in love with it even more! AH you look fab…great colors on you too!
Irene
I love your blog:) Have a nice weekend!
http://www.irenethayer.com
Thrifted Yellow Asian High Collar & Split Dress + Distressed Denim
[…] serves as a reminder that embracing different cultures results in beautiful things. Explore the Cultural Appreciation posts to read more about embracing different cultures in your everyday […]