ABSTRACT
Fabrics take a special place in the legacy and pride of the Nigerian people at large. Traditional fabrics in Nigeria differ in their age, origin, and the way they are used, each culture in Nigeria has their unique fabric that identifies them in different ways. These fabrics are representative symbols of the Nigerian society at large. These selected Nigerian fabrics, are not just cloth used for personal adornment but also a powerful medium of communication for many centuries. It is in the premise of the above statement that this study focused on examining the “Prospect and Challenges of Creating Contemporary Costume Designs: An Experimentation of Selected Nigerian Fabrics (Aso-Oke, Akwocha, Velvet, A’nger)”. The Nigerian textile industry, which was once a vibrant sector of the Nigerian economy, is gradually grinding to a halt. Despite government promises to revitalize the sector that holds numerous potentials for the economy, not much has happened. This study would expose the needs for the Nigerian economy at large to see this avenue as a means to create employment and ultimately showcase her rich heritage. The research method adopted for this study is the qualitative research method that also involves experimentation. The study also employed the use of relevant literatures to the study, books, journals, published and unpublished articles were also consulted for this research study. The researcher exhibited costumes, experimenting with four types of Nigerian fabrics, the Ash-oke fabric, the Akwoche fabric, the A-nger fabric, and the Velvet fabric specifically and these costume designs were focused on the creation of cooperate wears, fashionable wears and casual dresses for a fashion show. From the findings derived from this study, it was observed that traditional African fabrics can be used to make contemporary designs. They can be used to make attires that can be worn every day and not just for special occasions. The study recommends that Africans should become more flexible in exerting cultural norms and values, holding fast to traditions of time past in this mostly western cultural society will take us nowhere.
