A RECENT FASHION ILLUSTRATION by Diana Ejaita could easily serve as a graphic designed to promote the “Africa Fashion” exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. The portrait was not commissioned by the museum, however, but rather a magazine. “Lines of Beauty” graced the cover of the Sept. 25 issue of The New Yorker. The special Fall Style & Design issue coincided with fashion weeks in New York, London, and Milan. “Lines of Beauty” by Diana Ejaita | The New Yorker, Sept. 25, 2023 Composed of dynamic planes of color and pattern, the cover illustration draws on African traditions and African-influenced Western art forms. The design calls to mind the modern shapes and blue hue favored by Matisse. The female figure is wearing a skirt that blends several African-patterned textiles. A crowning, sculptural hair style completes the look. The portrait reflects Ejaita’s Nigerian roots, French fine art education, and fashion background. In 2015, the illustrator and textile designer launched a clothing line called WearYourMask. The collections feature African print-style fabrics with organic patterns, abstract motifs, and contemporary interpretations of West African symbols. Ejaita has recently been in Florence, Italy, where she is an artist-in-residence at Villa Romana. The experience has […]
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