My name is Abigail Owusu Afriyie and I am a senior at SAIC and a sophomore in the Fashion core program. What really inspires me as an artist are my experiences and memories of life in Ghana, adjusting to American life and culture, and most importantly my beliefs, such as my Christian faith. Aside from fashion, I do drawing and painting, and I always strive to mix those art forms into my garments.
African Queen, 2022, African Queen, Bleached Duck Fabric, Muslin, Thread, Paint, Dye, Stamps, Photoshop, by Abigail Owusu Afriyie
Front view
African Queen, 2022, African Queen, Bleached Duck Fabric, Muslin, Thread, Paint, Dye, Stamps, Photoshop, by Abigail Owusu Afriyie
Side views
African Queen, 2022, African Queen, Bleached Duck Fabric, Muslin, Thread, Paint, Dye, Stamps, Photoshop, by Abigail Owusu Afriyie
Back view
African Queen Fashion Illustrations, 2022, African Queen-10 look collection, Pencil, Marker, Photoshop, by Abigail Owusu Afriyie
African Queen Fashion Illustrations, 2022, African Queen-10 look collection, Pencil, Marker, Photoshop, by Abigail Owusu Afriyie
African Queen Fashion Illustrations, 2022, African Queen-10 look collection, Pencil, Marker, Photoshop, by Abigail Owusu Afriyie
Weaving Fabric Manipulation, 2022, African Queen "Kente"Weaving Fabric Manipulation, Muslin, Cotton, Denim, by Abigail Owusu Afriyie
Creation of kente pattern on sleeve, 2022, African Queen-sleeve, Bleached Duck Fabric, Muslin, Thread, Paint, Dye, Stamps, by Abigail Owusu Afriyie
In Progress, 2022, African Queen-sleeve, Bleached Duck Fabric, Muslin, Thread, Paint, Dye, by Abigail Owusu Afriyie
Kente Design, 2022, African Queen Kente Design, Illustrator and Photoshop, Abigail Owusu Afriyie
This project is a celebration of my identity as an African woman. My garment is a reflection of how I chose to see myself, as an African queen. Having grown up in Ghana around so many women, I was raised to see womanhood in a different light. They taught me how to be an African woman, a woman of strength and dignity, one who rises against all odds, endures, and stands tall through life’s battles. Every single woman is a queen in their own right, and I too am one, an African queen.
Throughout the garment, I made use of Adinkra symbols- symbols that the Ashanti people in Ghana use in their culture and art to send messages, tell stories, and convey virtues. This was especially important for me to include because I am an Ashanti and proud of my culture. The shape that inspired the dress is the Adinkra symbol “Aya” which stands for endurance. The dress’s shawl and bottom are stamped with the Duafe symbol (which stands for beauty) and the Eban symbol (love, safety, and security). I used these symbols because I believe that African women are the embodiment of Beauty, Endurance, and Love.
I also created my own Kente cloth, which is a highly valuable cloth of the Ashantis worn mainly by royalty. This is to further emphasize my identity as a queen.