African-inspired prints are perfect for summer. Mix them all together or make a statement with one bold piece.

African-inspired prints are a trend that’s been around for a while, but we think it deserves some attention since it’s so perfect for summer. Be daring and mix your prints, there’s no such thing as too much – anything goes with this trend. You can even wear all these picks together if you want to. Support sustainable development in Africa by ensuring that you buy pieces that are made by local artisans who make a fair living wage.

ASOS Africa Bra Top in Rhino Print
A quirkier take on the print trend, this handcrafted stretch bra top features a cute hand-drawn rhino print in poppy greens and oranges. The ASOS Africa collection looks to traditional East African fabrics and prints and reworks them with a modern sporty aesthetic in a punchy acid color palette. It’s produced in collaboration with several small communities in Africa, enabling them to earn a sustainable living through their craftsmanship.
$41, ASOS

Light Gives Heat Bold Moss Pearl Necklace
This necklace is the perfect complement to your African prints. It’s hand-crafted by the Suubi women in Uganda from beads made from recycled paper. By making and selling these beaded necklaces, these women are able to make a living wage, helping them create better lives for their families.
$20, Light Gives Heat

Della Treasure Hunt MacBook Case
Since you’re looking all stylish, your computer should too, right? Dress your MacBook up in this fun, protective case from Della. It’s 100% vegan, made from sustainable materials, lined with local Ghanaian fabric, and thinly padded for protection.
$38, Della

Doreen African Print Peplum Top
The ultimate convergence of two trends – print and peplum – this African print peplum top is one-of-a-kind and handmade in New York. Made from 100% cotton blue printed fabric with gold detailing it works really well with a pair of skinny jeans.
$35, Ann Jodes/Etsy

Wrapped Bangles by Mikuti
Mikuti‘s original banana bark bracelets have been all dressed up with local Tanzania wax fabric. Made using a unique wrapping technique, the vibrant colors of the fabric enhance the natural earth tones of the bark, creating gorgeous printed bangles that are surprisingly versatile. They come in stacks of three and should really be worn together.
$68, Mikuti

AFIA Staple Skirt in Neon
AFIA’s bright, colorful staple skirt is the perfect summer piece. It’s easy to dress up or down, but always makes a statement. It’s made from handpicked cotton wax fabric from the markets of Accra and hand-sewn by cooperatives in Ghana who are paid a fair wage for their craft.
$100, AFIA

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Shopping with a conscience  for wild(ly) charitable fashion finds that give back.

Giving back is an important part of the sustainable fashion philosophy, and the first P in the triple-bottom-line philosophy (People, Planet, Profit). It’s one of the many ways that fashion can help contribute to a better world and you can vote with your dollars and support companies that are doing great work to help people across the globe. Charitable fashion is anything but boring, just take a look at these wilderness-inspired picks.

ASOS Africa Printed Hot Pants in Geo Print
These printed knicker shorts from the ASOS Africa collection look to traditional East African fabrics, including Kitenge and Kanga prints and hand-woven Kikoy, reworking them with a modern sporty aesthetic in a punchy acid color palette. These feature a vintage-inspired high waisted design with a contrast geometric print and neon colored trims. ASOS Africa is produced in collaboration with Soko and several small communities in Africa, enabling underprivileged communities to establish sustainable business through their local craftsmanship.
$43.49, ASOS

Not For Sale Limited Edition Leather Motorcycle Jacket
This limited edition leather jacket has been exclusively designed for Not For Sale, and proceeds from the line will benefit the organization’s work to combat human trafficking globally, prevent forced labor and end human trafficking. Exposed zippers toughen up this sleek two-tone leather jacket, while a classic notch lapel and epaulets lend structured details.
$599.99, Made For Good

Lemlem Mekina Roll Up Pants
Supermodel, actress and former World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Liya Kebede started Lemlem in 2007, after discovering that traditional weavers in her native Ethiopia were losing their jobs due to a decline in local demand for their goods. Through producing fashions like these casual-cool roll up pants, she inspires economic independence in her native country and helps preserve the art of weaving. Hand made in Ethiopia.
$200, Lemlem

Rain Tees Tree of Life Tee
Rain Tees are ethically manufactured in the U.S. and Peru, providing stable jobs and great working conditions for those who make them. The company also donates school supplies to NGOs and schools in need across the world. This Tree of Life tee is illustrated by eleven year old Mariela of Peru. The tee displays a rain forest tree crying leaves that symbolize its tears because so many trees like this one are cut down for logging. She has also drawn fish that have died and lay floating in water polluted with oil from pipelines that leak illegally into the jungle and poison plants, animals and villages.
$36, Rain Tees

Rachel Roy Heart of Haiti Double Circle Hoops
The devastating earthquake of January 2010 has made it virtually impossible for Haitians to make a living. Proceeds from the sale of these delicately handcrafted earrings directly benefits the Croix-des-Bouquets Haitian artisans by allowing them to support their families with dignity and purpose. No two pieces are alike.
$32, Rachel Roy

Havainas and Baby Buggy Limited Edition Sandals
Flipflop company Havaianas has teamed up with Baby Buggy, a charity founded by Jessica Seinfeld, and celebrity moms like Courteney Cox, Nina Garcia, Rebecca Romijn, and Tori Spelling, to collaborate on this limited edition collection. Each pair is available in both adult and childrens sizes. 10% of sales will be donated directly to Baby Buggy to help provide families in need with essential equipment, products, clothing, and educational services for their infants and children.
$26, Havaianas

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