KITENGE DESIGNS ( AFRICAN PRINT DESIGNS)

Kitenge or chitenge is an African garment similar to sarong, often worn by women wrapped around the chest or waist, over the head as a headscarf, or as a baby sling.
Kitenges are similar to kangas and kikoy, but are of a thicker cloth, and have an edging only on a long side. Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Sudan are some of the African countries where kitenge is worn.^{[citation needed]} In Malawi, Namibia and Zambia, kitenge is known as Chitenge. They are also sometimes worn by men around the waist in hot weather. In some countries like Malawi, Chitenges are never worn by men.
Kitenges (plural vitenge in Swahili; zitenge in Tonga) serve as an inexpensive, informal piece of clothing that is often decorated with a huge variety of colors, patterns and even political slogans.
The printing on the cloth is done by a traditional batik technique. Many of the designs have a meaning. A large variety of religious and political designs is found as well as traditional tribal patterns. The cloth is used as material for dresses as well.

bigGirl Stylista: The Peplum

bigGirl Stylista: The Peplum:  
T he Peplum The secret of a successful peplum is in the cut and fit, and the balance between shoulder, hip and waist to achieve that all-important hourglass silhouette.”
a peplum can make you look like
schnitzel-proportioned peplum can make your waist look smaller and become the focal point of this modern look. Peplums come in all kinds of silhouettes. There are various shapes and sizes, like frilly and ruffled or stiff and architectural. Some peplums are so small they’re barely noticeable, while others are the only thing that anyone will notice. And, in theory, there is a peplum style that will look great on you, by camouflaging your fat tush or balancing out your top-heaviness. The trick is to find the right type of peplum that flares out in just the right spot (where you’re the skinniest) and ends at just the right spot (so you’re not drawing attention to your least favorite area).

• If you have an hourglass-shaped body, peplums can exaggerate your, already ideal, proportions.
• If you have a top-heavy or inverted-triangle body, adding bulk to your lower half will balance out your upper half and make you look like you have a waist, while hiding your tummy.
• If you have a big-bootied, pear-shaped body, the right peplum will camouflage your hips and butt.