What to Wear: Bongo Ball

Bongo balling: it’s all about African Chic.

If you’re hoping to recycle a raunchy tiger print dress or “adorable” lion onesie, then this year’s Bongo Ball is not what you’re expecting.

This year, the committee are extremely keen to focus on the charity – the Xavier Project – established by an ex St Andrean to provide education opportunities to urban refugees in Kenya and Uganda. The committee hope the dress-code, “Black-tie meets Africa”, will be interpreted broadly through radiant colours and bold prints; the cultural diversity across Africa ensures that there is no uniform way of dressing ‘African’.

Animal print is being discouraged. So the question remains: what to wear?

Take inspiration from African design aesthetic: be playful and daring with your fashion. Embrace, do not fear, mismatched patterns and colour clashes! In an ideal world, you will have already purchased the brightly coloured Rafiki trousers or shorts on offer for £15; bare in mind that all proceeds go straight back to the Xavier Project’s microfinancing initiative Rafiki Fabrix and its designer, Anna Nsimire.

Otherwise, given the sartorial challenge, it is strongly advised that you take a peek at the work of prominent African Designers who are paving the way in global fashion. Duro Olowu, from Nigeria, is renowned for his creative fusion of vintage prints and cuts with traditional West-African textiles; Oswald Boateng, from Ghana, is the luxury menswear designer and former creative director of Givenchy, whose bespoke tailoring draws upon the vibrant colours, intricate prints and hand-woven fabrics of Kente cloth; and Gloria Wavamunno, from Uganda, employs traditional Batik printing techniques to embellish her structured silhouettes. Follow them on Instagram: @duroolowu; @ozwald_boateng; @gloriawava, and check out Arise Magazine on www.ariselive.com.

Bongo Boys

Men, adding little details to “Black tie” will have a sharp impact; choose pocket hanker-chiefs, socks and ties in vibrant ethnic prints to wear with your Rafiki trousers to make your look pop. If you own a printed shirt made from authentic African cloth, ditch the blazer and do up your top button (if you can) to give it a modern, urban edge.

Bongo Babes

Women, if wearing Rafiki trousers seems too androgynous, get artsy and cut up the fabric to create your very own waistband, headscarf, or short shorts.

Alternatively, pull your outfit together by matching the color of your clutch, to your eyeshadow and/or lipstick (think bright oranges and pinks). Knotted fabric headbands, oversized earrings, and beaded, statement necklaces will liven up your look if zany prints make you cross-eyed.

Remember, the event is hosted at Crail Airfield, so don’t be fooled by the cosy coach transportation links and altogether dismiss your absolute need for a warm coat; similarly, wear shoes and platforms (stilletos and mud don’t mix well) of the non-suede, waterproof variety.

Bongo Ball always promises to be a fun and exotic break from the bubble; but to avoid dampening your memory of the night (in any other way than with alcohol), put your clichés in the closet, and dress African Chic.

Rafiki Fabrix will be on sale at ticket collection tomorrow, October 15th at 14 Murray Place. Follow us on instagram @stand.fashion for more Bongo inspiration!