One of the most unusual sights at Berlin Fashion Week was a barkcloth coat by an up-and-coming Nigerian-German designer. Bobby Kolade's oversized coat takes an unusual material and turns it into a stunning textile. The barkcloth textile comes from Ugandan fig tree bark, which gives it a beautiful and unusual texture.
The tie on the back of the oversized barkcloth coat takes reference from the way the mawashi (loincloth) of a Japanese sumo wrestler is tied. The rest of his collection also made use of barkcloth, using it as the base for garments and prints.The unusual mix of inspiration and materials is completely new and refreshing; Kolade is definitely a designer to keep an eye on.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Tree Bark Textiles
- The use of barkcloth as a textile material presents opportunities for eco-friendly and unique fashion creations.
- Unconventional Material
- Exploring and incorporating non-traditional materials in fashion designs opens up possibilities for innovation and creativity.
- Cross-cultural Inspiration
- Drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and incorporating it into fashion design can lead to fresh and distinctive creations.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Fashion
- The fashion industry can explore the use of tree bark textiles to create sustainable and visually captivating garments.
- Textile
- The textile industry can expand its material options by exploring unconventional materials like barkcloth for textile production.
- Design
- Design professionals can embrace cross-cultural inspiration to create unique and culturally inclusive fashion collections.
