24 September 2012

World Catwalk: Destination Ghana


Ghana is like a painting.
One of those paintings where you can’t quite figure out what it’s supposed to be, but you like it anyway… its many colours, textures and fabulous patterns draw you in and make you forget that you’re supposed to be figuring it out in the first place.

Just a brief walk along the dusty streets is an experience in itself here in the country’s capital.
Buses whiz past packed with people squeezing their bodies out of the windows to catch the breeze.
Women in bright, patterned clothes carry everything and anything on their heads and talk / chat / run / argue / carry children at the same time.
Stalls selling barbequed plantain serve up this delicious cross between potato and banana and wrap it in pages torn from a jotter, so you don’t burn your fingers…
People laugh loudly, talk loudly, and love to make jokes.
People make things, make music, make fun…
It really is a jolly place from where I’m standing. But then that’s perhaps a silly statement, as most places seem pretty jolly from where I’m standing in my little red hat, with my manicured nails as The Trolley Dolly!
I was reading a pro-tourism publication here in Accra, Ghana and I was inspired by what was said of the nation’s unfailing belief that ‘tomorrow will be better than today’. I like love this hopeful, resilient sentiment.
As you pass all the brightness of the city’s building success, you see the real meaning of this statement when your pretty picture is scratched by the image of real poverty. One man leads his blind mother amongst the heaving smoky traffic, another sits in a wheelchair at a traffic signal, with a big smile, missing his legs. And children with no shoes come to the windows of your car, putting their hands to their mouths, asking for any spare Cedis (Ghanaian currency).
As I walked amongst this bizarre network, it didn’t really cross my mind that this might pose as a backdrop for one of my World Catwalk features. Even if I wanted to take a few pictures, most of the women here are suspicious of the camera and I’m not about to start a row in the middle of downtown Accra. Would you?!
To my surprise, as I went in search of a restaurant, two stylish ladies walked onto my World Catwalk radar. 
Without thinking, I casually walked ran over and introduced The Trolley Dolly, explaining that their cool style had caught my eye. To my further surprise, they were from London, and yes, they wouldn’t mind me featuring their outfits in World Catwalk… job done.

Natalie was keeping up with the bright theme that skips through Accra by teaming a multicoloured print tee with super fresh turquoise skinny jeans, rolled up to reveal a bright beaded anklet. Top marks for the Raybans and sweet pink lipstick. And the holiday hat is the cherry on the cake!





Sara was heading things up in a bright check shirt tucked into skinny denim shorts and ultra cool Converse. It’s a simple outfit but the denim wash looks amazeballs on her skin and totally highlights her legs-to-die-for. Ooh, and I like those glasses too. I’ve got similar, but mine are more a necessity than a fashion statement – d’oh!




Disclaimer:
The above stylish outfits aren’t really a fair and true representation of street style in Accra… In all honesty, street style here comes in lots of different forms.  Figure hugging leggings or a traditional style capped-sleeve maxi dress? So-bright-your-eyes-hurt patterns or simple white cotton? Statement jewellery or statement hair (or both)? Wildly ’80s trouser suit or loose linen skirt and swirly ’50s headscarf?
There are so many looks to choose from in this colourful city, filled with personality, spirit and attitude.

I took some candid street shots as I wandered. I hope they go some way to show varied styles but it’s tricky taking ‘people’ shots in Ghana as the ladies especially are guarded around my photo-taking enthusiasm…








What do you think of the pics? And what do you think of Ghana’s street style? Let me know, I want to hear your thoughts!

Love from African explorer Dolly x

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