A moda afro-brasileira como campo de expressão e identidade

Abstract

This research sought to investigate the relevance of Afro-Brazilian fashion to national Fashion Design, focusing on its contribution to cultural identity and the process of aesthetic decolonization. The main objective of the study was to identify and map the brands and designers who self-identify as part of Afro fashion in Brazil and to analyze how they use surface design as a narrative element. The methodology adopted included a bibliographic survey and an immersion in social networks, specifically the Instagram application, to track the brands. The mapping began with already known profiles and was expanded through the use of strategic keywords and hashtags. As a result, thirty (30) brand profiles were located that met the criteria of self-identification and representation as representatives of Afro-Brazilian fashion. The analysis of these findings revealed that Afro-Brazilian fashion is a heterogeneous set, which can be divided into visual subcategories. This conclusion demonstrates that this is a mature and ethical segment that reclaims ancestry and presents itself differently from the popular idea of a homogeneous and often stereotyped Afro-Brazilian fashion. The term Afro-Brazilian fashion is more than just a segment; it can be considered a movement that establishes itself as a fundamental agent of transformation, actively reinforcing Brazilian cultural identity.