Black Style

John Picton looks at West Africa and the relationship between the vibrant textile patterns dyed and woven by local tribespeople and the statuesque robes worn by West African communities, while Carolyn Cooper concentrates on Jamaican dress and its historical roots. Susan B. Kaiser, Leslie Rabine, Carol Hall and Daryl Ketchum highlight hip-hop culture within a broader historical context, placing the concept of respect, originating in the early years of slavery, at the centre of African-American style identity. Carol Tulloch draws on a wide range of examples, from the Evangelical church and gospel singers, to family events such as weddings and funerals, the world of pop music, carnival and street markets, to portray the multiple strands that make up black dress and identity in Great Britain. Generously illustrated, this book portrays the wonderful diversity of approaches to fashion and individual style within the black community, while also giving voice to black men and women and engaging with current debates on the significance of dress in political and socio-cultural terms.