Aso ebi: Dress, Fashion, Visual Culture, and Urban Cosmopolitanism in West Africa

The Nigerian and West African practice of aso ebi fashion is a visual and consumerist hype that reflects the economics of mundane living. It is a fetishization of commodity culture, personality cults, symbolic power, exchange value, and exclusion achieved through digital photo editing. It has become an essential part of Lagos cosmopolitanism, allowing individuals to transcend the lack imposed by the postcolonial city.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 24 May 2021
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

The vibrant and intricate fashion tradition of aso ebi, deeply rooted in Nigeria and West Africa, holds a profound significance in social gatherings. It evokes images of wealth and collective dynamics, creating a captivating atmosphere of celebration and unity. In his comprehensive volume, Aso ebi, Okechukwu Nwafors delves into the practice in the bustling cosmopolitan city of Lagos, shedding light on its unique characteristics and its connection to the late capitalist system. Nwafors argues that the visual and consumerist hype surrounding aso ebi is a reflection of the prevailing economic realities, where dress, fashion, aso ebi, and photography come together to shape a new visual culture that mirrors the economics of everyday life.

Through meticulous examination, Nwafors explores the societal dilemma that often dismisses the solidarity of aso ebi as mere ephemeral transactions. However, a complex circuitous transaction among photographers, fashion magazine producers, textile merchants, tailors, and individual fashionistas reinvents aso ebi as a product of cosmopolitan urban modernity. This transformation results in the fetishization of various forms of commodity culture, the emergence of personality cults through mass followership, the negotiation of symbolic power through mass-produced images, the exchange of value in human relationships through gifts, and the creation of exclusivity through digital photo editing.

Aso ebi has seamlessly integrated itself into the fabric of Lagos cosmopolitanism, emerging as a vital component of a distinctive visual culture that celebrates the excess and exuberance of textile overflow. It serves as a catalyst for the unprecedented spread of a unique West African fashion style, one that revels in the abundance of fabric and embraces the chaos of the postcolonial city. This extreme dress style becomes a means of transcending the limitations imposed by the urban environment, allowing individuals to express their individuality and creativity in a vibrant and captivating manner.

In conclusion, aso ebi fashion represents a rich tapestry of culture, economics, and social dynamics. It serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of West African communities, as they embrace the power of fashion to celebrate their heritage and express their aspirations. Through its intricate designs, vibrant colors, and symbolic significance, aso ebi continues to evolve and captivate audiences around the world, contributing to the global appreciation of West African fashion and culture.

Weight: 484g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472054800