Angelina Print Dashiki

The dashiki is a loose-fitting West African garment, often made from wax-print fabrics such as the Angelina print. Angelina is a classic Dutch wax print design produced by Vlisco, a Dutch textile company founded in the 19th century. Dutch wax prints originated in Europe, drawing inspiration from Indonesian batik and adapting the wax-resist dyeing technique for industrial mass production. Although designed and manufactured in Europe, these textiles were created specifically for African markets and became deeply embedded in West African fashion culture. Wax-resist–dyed cotton, commonly known as wax print, is especially popular in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria. The technique uses wax to prevent dye from penetrating parts of the cloth, producing bold patterns and strong color contrasts. Worn for everyday dress as well as ceremonial and social occasions, wax prints like Angelina communicate identity, status, and meaning, and today they stand as a key expression of West African visual culture shaped by global textile exchange.

(Source: Wikipedia)