History of wax fabrics

History of wax fabrics

We discovered wax fabrics a few years ago and it was a real heart-to-heart. We instantly fell in love with their colors and strength. They're made of 100% cotton and inspired by nature through floral and geometric designs.

The technique used to create these wonderful fabrics is inspired by Javanese batiks, which are made with hydrophobic waxes. In fact, the word "wax," which is the name given to this African fabric, means wax. This wax is hot-melt onto the cotton fabric. The design is completely printed and does not fade with washing. Its vibrant color remains intact.

A little history

It all began in the 19th century when the Dutch arrived in West Africa and brought Ghanaian soldiers to Indonesia, where the famous BATIK technique originated.

Africans were fascinated by the beautiful colors these fabrics produced and brought the technique back to their home country of Ghana.

Africans learned the technique and began to make their own wax fabrics. The market began to explode, and these fabrics became everyday items for Africans.

These traditional African fabrics, beyond their aesthetics, have a communicative and social function. They serve to distinguish a person's belonging to a country or ethnic group, their social status, their profession, or the rank acquired through age. Through these fabrics, stories, legends, and proverbs are transmitted and preserved, passed down from generation to generation.