Wax on/Wax off: Ankara Style

Don't you just hate it when your favourite African print accessory starts to fade? Either the fabric of your Ankara clad bag skims the wrong part of the floor or some questionable wall OR you touch your face smudging the Mac studio fix which you so artistically painted on just hours before, and end up staining your beloved print earrings! (Ok, slightly melodramatic, we know...but it happens!)

Although most don't come with care instructions, we all know not to put our print accessories in the wash. So then where does that leave your favourite piece? Neglected at the bottom of your jewellery box? Well, not anymore...

Let's introduce you to the accessory heavy weights who protect the ankara in their designs, so that you don't have to!

JOANSU

Joansu Cuff

Handmade from the finest materials inlcuding precious metal, precious stones, resin and textiles (such as wax printed textiles - Ankara), the bold Joansu Women and Joansu Heros (Men) collections are limited edition to guarantee your exclusivity.

Designing alternately from her ateliers in London and Paris, designer Adjoa Acquah's vision behind the Joansu brand is to explore the impressions of travel and movement on the creative design process and in so doing, fuses her two great loves.

We especially love pieces from Joansu's Africanista Conversations:

AFRICAN PRINT COLLECTIONS: DREAMS/BROWN SUGAR/BUTTERFLY/FASTFORWARD/DRUM.

PRICES START FROM £30/$48

UGO'S BOUTIQUE

The brain child of Ugonna Hosten, accessories from Ugo's boutique are made from wax print oil cloth meaning they're practically waterproof and can be wiped clean if needed. As described by the London based accessories label "UGO is the very first of its kind; to offer oilcloth bags using traditional African fabrics. We describe ourselves as an afro-pop fashion accessories label, presenting you with exceedingly delicious arm candy.

"We know how discerning you are and how important it is for you to have that exclusive, high-quality, statement piece that gorgeously accents your outfit."

And what a statement these are:

Concentrics Leather Embossed Compact Frame Purse

Figure 8 Leather Embossed Compact Frame Purse

Blue Berries Structured shopper

Floral Havana Kente Print Structured shopper

Figure 8 Oil cloth and Leather trimmed Satchel

Sunkissed Sparrow Oil cloth and Leather trimmed Satchel

Sunkissed Sparrow Leather Tassled Bucket Bag

Sunkissed Sparrow Compact Framed Wallet

MIRY BY CARPE DIEM

With a focus on creating high quality footwear and accessories for women, the French brand Miry by Carpe Diem deliver the most perfect high gloss ankara finish on the products in their line:

We LOVE - Original, Beautiful, Indestructible, Unique African Print!

Click on the brand names to find out more