Lace links Austria and Nigeria
It’s an African fashion hit with an Alpine touch.
For decades, embroidered fabrics from Austria have been used to create striking, colorful clothing in Nigeria. Known locally as “lace,” these textiles are produced in Vorarlberg, a small mountainous region on the Swiss border, and are then transformed into high-end garments worn primarily at weddings and special events in Nigeria.
A new exhibit at Vienna’s Ethnology Museum, which opened late Thursday, celebrates the connection between Austria and Nigeria, displaying a variety of designs that range from delicate to bold. “This exhibit showcases a fabric that has made a significant impact in Nigeria,” said Barbara Plankensteiner, the Austrian curator. The exhibit will travel to Nigeria next year.
In Nigeria, Austrian lace has become a household name and has been woven into the country’s popular culture, according to Nath Mayo Adediran, a Nigerian curator. The exhibition allows visitors to appreciate the intricate details of the fabric, often featuring floral designs, with some pieces adorned with crystals or velvet.
The link between Austrian lace and Nigeria began in the 1960s when a businessman on a stopover in Lagos noticed that many Nigerian women were wearing brightly embroidered clothing. He brought back Austrian fabric samples, and over time, the relationship grew. Markus Riedmann, head of an association of embroidery makers in Vorarlberg, shared that last year, the industry reached a turnover of about €55 million ($76.6 million), with Nigerian customers contributing to roughly half of that figure, alongside clients from other African nations like Senegal and Ghana.
Though exports declined in the 1990s due to competition from countries like China, Austrian lace continues to symbolize quality and prestige. “We Africans, particularly Nigerians, love embroidery, and it’s considered an opulent fabric,” said Folake Folarin-Coker, a renowned Nigerian designer behind the Tiffany Amber brand. “When you mention Austrian lace, it’s like saying you’ve reached the top.”
While traditionally associated with formal attire, there’s a shift happening. At the exhibit’s fashion show, Folarin-Coker and other Nigerian designers unveiled modern creations aimed at a younger, more fashionable crowd.
The exhibit, “African Lace,” will be on display until February 14 in Vienna before moving to museums in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria.
It’s an African fashion hit with an Alpine touch. For decades, embroidered fabrics from Austria have been used to create striking, colorful clothing in Nigeria. Known locally as “lace,” these textiles are produced in Vorarlberg, a small mountainous region on the Swiss border, and are then transformed into high-end garments worn primarily at weddings and…