# Opulent African Attire The Sophie Theallet Spring/Summer Line Promotes a Vivid African Inspiration By Malika Renee Butss | Published 2015-09-21 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sophie-theallet References: [trendcouncil.wordpress](https://trendcouncil.wordpress.com/2015/09/16/ss16-sophie-theallet/) & [vogue](http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2016-ready-to-wear/sophie-theallet) Designer Sophie Theallet was inspired by Africa for the Sophie Theallet Spring/Summer 2016 collection. Riddled with exciting animal print and design, this collection is Africa-themed from the first to the last look. Theallet exploited her key reference by utilizing burlap, raffia textures, snakeskin and cape silhouettes. The French designer made western silhouettes a little more ethnic by making halter necklines mirror the look of African chokers. Theallet was also sure to add feather tiers on dresses as well as footwear. Though this is a Spring collection, the color palette for the Sophie Theallet Spring/Summer 2016 collection is muted neutral tones with pops of black and white. Fashion fans will also note the smudged black and white prints that are a stylish take on tribal body paint. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.7/10 - Popularity: 67% | Activity: 5% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **African-inspired Fashion:** The use of African prints and design elements in fashion collections is a disruptive innovation opportunity to create unique and culturally diverse clothing lines. - **Ethnic Silhouettes:** Incorporating ethnic silhouettes, such as halter necklines and cape silhouettes, into Western fashion designs provides a disruptive innovation opportunity to create more inclusive and diverse clothing options. - **Tribal-inspired Prints:** Developing stylish interpretations of tribal body paint through smudged black and white prints offers a disruptive innovation opportunity to infuse cultural influences into contemporary fashion designs. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion:** The fashion industry can explore the African-inspired trend by incorporating prints, design elements, and silhouettes that celebrate and honor diverse cultures, creating a more inclusive and innovative fashion landscape. - **Textile:** The textile industry can take advantage of the demand for African-inspired prints and fabrics by developing new manufacturing techniques and materials that authentically represent African culture and cater to the fashion market's needs. - **Accessory:** The accessory industry can tap into the African-inspired trend by creating jewelry, shoes, and other fashion accessories that complement and enhance the aesthetic of African-inspired fashion collections, providing consumers with complete and cohesive looks. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Silky Camouflage-Design Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lisous-empire-collection.md) - [Cult Film-Inspired High Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-lion-king-collection.md) - [Beach-Inspired Spring Fashion Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-kind-of-guise-3.md) - [Whimsical Feminine Runway Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wild-rose-sparrow.md) - [Politically-Inspired Runway Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selkies-the-libertine-collection.md) - [Wild Animal-Decorated Gowns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/schiaparelli-lion-head.md) - [Desert-Inspired Fashion Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rudsak-ss25-collection.md) - [Whimsical Spring Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Anna-Suis-SpringSummer-2025.md) - [Modern Minimalist Apparel Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/auteur-studios-latest-summer-edit.md)