Fashion
The crave for hourglass shape: How did we get here?
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Ideals of Womanhood
Since time immemorial, womanhood, has been a subject of intense interest and debate. From both the women themselves, and men.
Across cultures and eras, there’s an ideal womanhood that has been pursued, yet never reached.
One thing that’s worth noting is that the quest to get in shape is NOT a modern drive. It has ancient roots. Let’s have a cursory glance into the past.
Corset and the Woman
Today, corsets are flexible, tools made from body-friendly materials, making it possible to be worn all day. But corsets have not always been so flexible.
Back in those days, hundreds of years ago, corsets were rugged and stiff. And they were made for the upper class women. Only they had the money and social space to wear corsets.
In those days, these women wore corsets to get the right shape for the pleasure of their husbands. These husbands were not ordinary men. They were emperors, emirs, kings, noble princes, distinguished gentlemen of the king’s court, etc. These were “somebodys”.
And there were disastrous side effects. A lot of these women had their ribs destroyed by the corsets!
Our Time
With this background, we now know that the women of today haven’t probably gone far enough, especially given the fact that getting in shape today is inspired by several noble ideals such as becoming healthier – excess fat in the body can facilitate the onset or worsening of cardio diseases such as hypertension.
The Fuss
So what’s the fuss all about? Where from the aggressive opposition to today’s women’s effort to get in shape?
Well, there are legitimate concerns. In those days, hundreds of years ago, the women didn’t get in shape to flaunt it to the public. Neither did they use their desirable shapes as means of livelihood.
Those women, as indicated already, were honourable “ladies” who had already gained nobility of a sort. Their quest for getting in shape did not destroy the dignity and sanctity of womanhood like we see today.
What now?
Whereas the quest to get in shape shouldn’t be branded as “an unnecessary, worldly” vanity, the women too must learn how to seek their desirables without tainting the image of womanhood.
Source: gh.opera.news
Adiza Ibrahim, is proving what it means to be a modern style icon in Ghana. By day, she commands corporate rooms as a top marketing executive as well as a fashion consultant, boutique owner, and lifestyle strategist.
Her signature looks proves that modesty and high fashion belong on the same runway. She has consistently demonstrated elegance, confidence and a refined sense of fashion in both modern and traditional style.
Adiza is not just a consumer of fashion; she is a critic and an educator. She actively pushes local designers to elevate their craft.
For her, fashion is a tool that demonstrate your cultural identity and make you hold onto your national pride.
Check out some of her outfits
By Desmond Aidoo
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Final-year students of the Accra Technical University (ATU) Department of Fashion Design and Textile Technology on Friday showcased their creativity and craftsmanship in Accra.
The annual event held under the theme: ‘Wear Your Culture: Tradition Meets Modernity,’ saw 366 students showcased various designs as part of their final year practical work.
Dean of the Faculty of Applied Arts, Professor George Agyei Osei, explained that the exhibition provided students with an opportunity to demonstrate the skills and competencies they have acquired throughout their training.
Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts and former Head of Department of Fashion and Textile Technology, Dr Mrs Emma Donkor, said this year’s cohort comprised 366 students, with each student producing four designs, one of which was exhibited at the school’s auditorium while three were presented during the fashion show.
Mrs Donkor encouraged graduating students to build their businesses gradually, noting that a sewing machine and a small workspace could provide the foundation for a successful fashion enterprise.
One of the graduating students, Philipa Adu, said the theme was a reminder to designers not to blindly imitate Western fashion at the expense of African culture.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
