Beads as Motifs in African Print and Contemporary Fashion and Interior Trends

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore possibilities for adopting beads as motifs in creating textile prints for interiors and garments that seek to promote aspects of African cultural heritage in contemporary design contexts. This working paper increases awareness surrounding African textiles, Ghanaian beads and printed textiles from historical and contemporary practice perspectives. Design-based practical experiments were employed in the study using design software such as Adobe Photoshop and CorelDraw in the design process. Data was collected using documentation and observation of Ghanaian beadworks as a source of inspiration. Textile design samples provided examples of reinventing and reinterpreting beads into motifs for prints, that were simulated into respective products. The work recommends that African textiles and fashion practitioners explore the use of heritage symbols and artifacts as sources of inspiration for interior and garment textiles, to promote cultural awareness and symbolism in contemporary contexts.