Hey Online Fam!
After a whirlwind hiatus and transition back to the United States after living abroad, I’m so happy to be back with another Daily Fashion Fix post! In today’s brief installment, let’s talk briefly about one of my favorite pieces of cultural art, Adinkra symbols.
Originating with the Akan people of West Africa, in the regions now known as Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, like kente cloth, the use of Adinkra was once reserved solely for tribal royalty. Today, these symbols have have proliferated their way throughout modern “Afrocentric” culture and can be found adorning jewelry, engraved in wooden ceremonial objects, and most predominantly stamped batik style onto fabrics and garments.
Via the Smithsonian Museum
Adinkra symbols, which number in the hundreds, typically utilize older symbols to represent long held proverbs, songs, or sayings … While newer symbols relate more closely to daily living tasks or environment.
This week’s style post features, more than a what may resemble a hair pic / comb, is actually a batik Adinkra print of the “Duafe” symbol, signifying:
Ultimate femininity
Beauty
Proper grooming / hygiene
Cleanliness
In addition to a host of other traditionally “desirable feminine qualities.” To know me, is to know I love exuding confidence in spaces often defined as soft and feminine. Quietly wearing this symbol as I navigate the mean streets of Brooklyn, NY is definitely one of those moments. Besides, I absolutely love taking modern spin on traditional classics, particularly from my own Ghanaian culture!
Love The Style? Shop the Look!
Below are links to some of your favorite pieces from this week’s look! As always, many the Daily Fashion Fix looks showcase pieces directly from our Q.A.C Webstore and will be highlighted with “add to cart.”
Shop our adinkra accessories and other adornments featured in this week’s post below!
These beautifully multi-colored Tuareg Tribe bangles are handmade in Mali West Africa. Each bangle is handmade.
Color and design/pattern for each bracelet will be unique.
Sold in sets of 2
Polished brass ring formed in the Ghanaian adinkra symbol of “Sankofa” (heart shape).
The symbol serves as the foundation of the Ashanti tribe meaning “one must go back and fetch it” .. Or loosely translated “To move forward, one must learn from the past.”
Brass ring fashioned in the shape of the ankh symbol. According to ancient Egyptian wisdom, the ankh symbol is believed to be represent eternal life. This symbol is often depicted in ancient hieroglyphics held by ancient Egyptian gods. Additionally, it is often stated that this was the 1st cross symbol, pre-dating the cross of Christianity.
Beautifully etched brass Ganesha ring direct from Bali, Indonesia.
Ganesha, in the Hindi religion, is believed to be the god of knowledge and remover of obstacles.
Polished solid brass ring formed in the Ghanaian Adinkra symbol of "Nyame.
The Adinkra symbol of "Nyame" derives from the Ashanti tribe of Ghana, W. Africa and translates to mean "God is King" ... A symbol of the majesty & supremacy of God
Taracotta ring direct from Bali, Indonesia.
Additional accessories pictured, sold separately. Please visit Q.A.C webstore to shop
Uniquely styled brass ring from Bali Indonesia. Rolling cylinders and stones give the ring a creative industrial feel. Suitable for traditional ring fit or worn as a midi ring
Additional accessories pictured, sold separately. Please visit Q.A.C webstore to shop
Classic lapis ring set in silver toned brass. Historically, lapis stone have been said to bring inner peace while clearing the mind of negative thought patterns.
Ring is adjustable / One size
Additional accessories pictured, sold separately. Please visit Q.A.C webstore to shop
Traditional rose quartz ring set in silver toned brass. Historically rose quartz rings have been said to cultivate love and emotional healing
Ring is adjustable / One size
Stunning amethyst ring from Indonesia. Amethyst is said to rid negative energy and clarity of the mind.
Size: One size / Adjustable
Additional accessories pictured, sold separately. Please visit Q.A.C webstore to shop
Alright loves, that’s all for now. As always, the Journey Continues!
Share the Journey
To complete the look, rather than a basic t-shirt, I chose a simple tank top tucked into the jeans with a pop of color adding a bit of spice to the look. To achieve this, I chose to use one of my favorite body wrappahs. This look can also be achieved with a favorite long scarf from your own closet.
With your material of choice on hand, your printed top can be created in the following three steps:
n recent years, with the rise of calling attention to cultural appropriation by fashion houses, patterns with origins from the continent have thankfully begun to achieve the praise and recognition they so rightly deserve. And yet, there’s still much work and education which needs to be done.
Perform any basic search for “African prints” online and you’ll find a plethora of images with descriptors such as: “Tribal” .. “Ethnic” .. Or my personal favorite, “African inspired.” All of these loosely worded descriptors do nothing to tell the history of the fabric or even hint at the country of origin. One prime example of this can be seen with Ankara / wax print.”
In creating my 1st fashion collection back in 2015 for the Q.A.C. Webstore, my love of art and history came to the life when I had the chance to sit with an elder of the Dogon tribe. Found primarily in Mali, W. Africa, this tribe is known for their wooden masked dances, incredible architecture, and wooden artistic sculptures. However, they are most noted for their mud cloth fabric, often showcasing their ancient knowledge of the stars / universe.
n celebrating my recent travels to Bali to source more one of a kind, handmade goodies for the upcoming QAC webstore Fall relaunch ... This week’s Daily Fashion Fix style post is a dope cultural spin on an old classic - "The Fanny Pack."
Welcome back to another week of The Daily Fashion Fix. This week's global goodies comes from the vibrant country of India! Long time readers know I absolutely love when vintage style and global history come together in one piece. And this weeks dress? ... A 1970's vintage sari styled dress directly from India is exactly that! Historically saris have been worn in Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka and most famously India for centuries.
Angela from Queen Adwoa's Closet here! This week on The Daily Fashion Fix, I'm reporting live from Bali, Indonesia! ... As always, you know a really cool blog and video post is coming on my adventures, but in the meantime? Let's get into this chic jungle - ready vacation look!
Despite some of the difficult experiences I'd had while living in Qatar, the staff at my now former home were always so kind ... Ever present with duplicate key after clumsily locking myself out of my apartment or an unexpected cup of homemade ginger tea after falling ill for months. Their kindness and humanity first welcomed an anxious new traveler nearly two years ago, smoothing over what initially felt like a jarring transition. And now? .... It was all over.
Water crashes gently off the shores of the surrounding cliffs, then rolls casually back out towards the horizon. As the sun shines warmly overhead, the ocean breeze gently blows over the local vegetation while drying the unexpected tears I find falling from my eyes. Had this been any other location, it would have made for the classic picturesque postcard. However, despite its unmistakable beauty, it’s hard to consider any place formally known as “Suicide Cliff” … The place where many of my ancestors perished, as anything other than a place of resilience and strength.
Happy Monday! Today’s travel adventure is a personal one close to my heart. If you’ve been following my recent stories on Instagram (and I hope you are), then you’re already in the know. This past week, after 6 years away, two of which were spent living abroad, I finally made it back to my home country of The United States Virgin Islands (U.S.V.I)!
Hey Royal Fam! .. Angela checking in with another global adventure, this time? From the beautiful island nation of Mauritius! Located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this East African nation hosts one of the most unique travel accommodations I've every stayed in ... An actual bubble!
Over the last 1.5 years, I've gotten so many questions about the city as it's fast become a major transit hub for adventurers venturing to parts unknown. That said? I wanted to tackle one of the most popular questions I've gotten since moving here, “I'm passing through Doha on a long layover ... What's there to do out there?"
What came after was a month and a half of dry hair, scalp itchiness, and extreme hair shedding. Lesson learned. It was during this time, I restarted what I call "hair bootcamp.” I immediately placed my hair in gentle protective styles to keep it tucked away and implemented what has been called by many “The L.O.C (Liquid - Oil - Cream or Butter) Method.” In two weeks, my hair stopped itching and shedding. By the end of the month, fullness returned with new length.
During the height of Middle Eastern winters, temps dip to a comfortable 70 degrees. This signals a time to step outside into more comfortable weather and get active! To many, this often means participating in recreational sports, camping activities, picnics, and so much more. That said, with the welcomed change in weather, I was so glad to have received an invite from a friend to head into the northern region of Qatar to enjoy a bit of 4-wheeling / quad biking in the desert!
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Thick brass ring with cowrie shell detailing. Once used as a common and important form of African currency, cowrie shells also symbolize protection, destiny, and prosperity.