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On loan
  • On short term loan out for exhibition

Aluel

Dress
2013 (designed), 2021 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Based in Nairobi, Kenyan fashion designer Katungulu Mwendwa is known for her understated and skillfully constructed fashion collections inspired by the diverse traditions of communities from across the African continent such as the Tuareg and Dinka communities.

Her ‘Dinka Translation’ collection of 2013, from which this dress comes, is inspired by the stories, iconography and traditions of the South Sudanese Dinka community. The name of this dress, ‘Aluel’, is a Dinka term meaning either beautiful woman or beautiful cow. Mwendwa explains that this name is a great compliment in a community in which cattle are highly valued.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Aluel (manufacturer's title)
  • Dinka Translation Collection (named collection)
Materials and techniques
47% cupro, 22% Tencel®, 31% linen
Brief description
Dress, Aluel, black,Dinka Translation collection, designed by Katungulu Mwendwa, Nairobi, Kenya, 2021
Physical description
Sleeveless black knee-length dress
Dimensions
  • Shoulder to hem length: 1010mm (Maximum)
  • Bust circumference: 870mm (Maximum)
  • Waist circumference: 820mm (Maximum)
  • Hips circumference: 940mm (Maximum)
Measured by conservation
Production typesmall batch
Gallery label
(02/07/2022 - 16/04/2023)
Mwendwa describes herself as an ‘architect for clothing’. Here we see her design process from paper pattern to toile mock-up, and the final design. The ‘Aluel’ dress is typical of Mwendwa’s innovative combination of angular details and curvilinear forms. Mwendwa was inspired by the stories and traditions of the South Sudanese Dinka community. Aluel is a Dinka word meaning beautiful woman or beautiful cow. Mwendwa explains the name is a great compliment in a community in which cattle are highly valued. (T.2388 & 2389-2021) V&A, Room 40, Africa Fashion
Credit line
Purchased with funds from the Sue Smith bequest
Object history
The dress was initially available in four colourways: grey, off-white, cream or black, maintaining her preference for muted, versatile colours.
Summary
Based in Nairobi, Kenyan fashion designer Katungulu Mwendwa is known for her understated and skillfully constructed fashion collections inspired by the diverse traditions of communities from across the African continent such as the Tuareg and Dinka communities.

Her ‘Dinka Translation’ collection of 2013, from which this dress comes, is inspired by the stories, iconography and traditions of the South Sudanese Dinka community. The name of this dress, ‘Aluel’, is a Dinka term meaning either beautiful woman or beautiful cow. Mwendwa explains that this name is a great compliment in a community in which cattle are highly valued.
Collection
Accession number
T.2388-2021

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Record createdJuly 29, 2021
Record URL
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