“Asaasa’’ originated from Africa, specifically Ghana. This “designer’’ cloth has been with us since the days of our old folks. It is an apparel made of different fabrics (mostly cut-offs) patched together to form a new style.
During my childhood days (dating back to pre-independence Ghana), for example, our mothers used the pieces of their new wax prints to sew shirts for their sons and frocks for their daughters.
With independence came the emergence of textile factories such as the Ghana Textiles Printing Company (GTP), Ghana Textiles Manufacturing Company (GTMC) and Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL). This development gave rise to the production of quality wax prints that complemented those imported from outside. As a result, the death knell was sounded for the “Asaasa”.
However, since we have entered the age of mixed colours so far as fashion is concerned, modern designers have thought it wise to reintroduce the “Asaasa”.
In the olden days, Joseph had a “coat of many colours” as a sign of the special love Jacob his father had for him. It is no wonder that the discarded fashion, “Asaasa” has made a glorious come-back and is now in vogue, being embraced on a massive scale by both young and old folks. Why this sudden change? One may ask.
Fashion may vary considerably within a society according to age, social class, generation, occupation, and geography. It refers to a distinctive and often habitual trend in the style with which a person dresses, as well as to prevailing styles in behavior.
What a person chooses to wear can reflect that person’s personality or interests.
When people who have cultural status start to wear new different clothes, a fashion trend may begin to form. People who admire them become influenced by their personal style and begin wearing dresses of similar styling. And that is just what we are experiencing about the”Asaasa” design.
Women of all walks of life from business executives, professionals, market women to the youth have joined the wagon with the design being worn to various occassions including church services and workplaces.
Above all, foreigners are not left out. Wearing “Asaasa” has become the trend of the moment and various reasons can be adduced for its patronage by many including the following:
* It brings out the African in the person wearing it (Sankofa) adding to the total beauty of the African woman.
*The right visual effect of a person wearing the fabric is emphasized.
In an interview conducted by GhanaCelebrities.Com, Madam Linda Amponsah, a business executive, remarked that the “Asaasa” outfit made her smart and she felt more African.
On her part, Rosaline Amedzi describes the “Asaasa” apparel as “the outfit of the moment ‘’.
From all indications, the “Asaasa’’ designer style has come to stay. It is now left to designers and textile producers to add more value to the product with a view to improving the quality and making it attractive within the international market.
Our designers can take up the challenge of designing home-grown academic and other gowns and hoods especially, using such local fabrics.
Exhibitions and fashion pageants involving the “Asaasa” should be organized annually to project the image of the fabric.
Finally, corporate bodies, especially financial and educational institutions should adopt the “Asaasa” design for their Friday wears.
This will prolong the lifespan of “Asaasa”.