This fabric is called Target Consulaire Gbédjégan (Traditionel King’s hat) or Gbedze in Togo. A hat that resembles the straw hats of kings. These hats are worn during everyday activities and also during work in the fields. It is different to the royal crown. It covers the entire head and is made of straw. Some women wear this hat to protect themselves from the blazing sun in front of their stall at the market.
Text – Vlisco Stories
Josephine, a translator in Rwanda, wears a dress made out of 14/0663 fabric.
Image – Judith Gueyfier
Coming soon.
Research –
Vlisco Stories
Sylvanus, Nina. 2016. “Patterns in Circulation: Cloth, Gender & Materiality in West Africa”. The University of Chicago. NS