African-Inspired Spring 2012 Collections Takes Over LFW & NYFW -Munaluchi Bride

Stylish motifs lifted from African fashion has inspired many of the collections presented at London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week. Suno, Burberry Prorsum, Michael Kors, Donna Karan, and L.A.M.B all turned to Africa for inspiration. At New York Fashion Week were Suno, L.A.M.B., and Michael Kors looked to African for inspiration for their new Spring/Summer 2012 collections. So far at the ongoing London Fashion Week we noticed Burberry Prorsum sticking with ankara again for their latest collection.

Pictured: 1. Burberry Prorsum. 2. Michael Kors. 3. L.A.M.B. 4. Suno

Suno however has been known for using many African-inspired influence as their line is produced by Kenyan artisans using rich Kenyan textiles. The New York-based label counts First Lady Michelle Obama and actress Rachel Bilson as their major fans!

Michael Kors went a step forward and named his Spring/Summer 2012 collection – Afriluxe when he presented it at New York Fashion Week. Kors offered plenty of orange, snakeskin, tie-dye, and green for his latest style collection!

Donna Karan also presented a stunning African-inspired collection at New York Fashion Week. However, Donna Karan was inspired not by African but by her trip to Haiti last year. For this new collection, Donna used earthtone colors of beige and brown with a splash of green and tangerine.

Continuing the same African-inspired trend used at their Spring/Summer 2011 collection, Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. Spring 2012 collection draw upon many African fashion influences from design to material used. From animal prints to Aztec tribal prints, L.A.M.B is ready for Spring to roll on over!

Across the pond at London Fashion Week, Burberry Prorsum continues to be inspired by African fashion when they presented their heavily ankara Spring/Summer 2011 collection at London Fashion Week. Burberry offered African prints in different style variations from dresses to skirts to pants to to hats to to tops to high-waisted style cuts. This is however not the first time Burberry has turn to Africa for inspiration. They last used ankara for their Resort 2012 collection!