I love the fact that Dashiki's are every where now! It's a beautiful thing to see. This past weekend I went to a day party at LA Marina, Uptown Manhattan. The party is aptly named Everyday people. I hate to use this word because it has been over used so much we should just retire it and coin another phrase. However, it seems appropriate so what the heck! The party was LIT! Lit with drinks, good music, good vibe, good weed, yes I said weed. It's 2016 for Pete's sake! It's a herb like Rosemary and Thyme. I don't see anyone giving anyone a side eye for saying Thyme. Every summer, there seem to be a word coined for that particular time. There was Turned up, then it was coined to Turnt now everything Lit.

The other thing that was Lit at this Party was the Dashiki print. It lit up the place like lanterns on a warm evening. The vibrant colors, superior print and gorgeous design stated that you were there. You had arrived! Dashiki's are the Starbucks of African prints. You could a spot a Dashiki every five people you passed. I saw a guy wearing a Dashiki sleeveless shirt with a hood on, a girl in a pretty flowy skirt, another one in a crop top, it was a Dashiki fest! I took this in while sipping on my drink bobbing to Lost boys.

I rocked my Dashiki a day before the everyday people event. After shooting these pics, I linked up with a few of my friends around Columbus Circle for a Happy hour session. I met a guy from Mozambique who had just moved to New York City from Upstate New York. As the margaritas' kept flowing, our conversation rolled into our thoughts on the cultural integration that is currently going on. He asked my thoughts on it and I candidly told him that I love it. African prints, especially here in the States was not the "cool" thing to rock, but there has been a social cultural shift.

According to a recent New York Times article on Prom Dresses in African Style. A large group of black women are embracing themselves and their beauty. Veronica Wells, an associate editor of Mademenoire, a popular blog for black women stated that once young black women start investigating their roots and background, they start distancing themselves from the strict European standard of Beauty.The past couple of years I have seen an overwhelming representation of Prom gowns in African print. Some have even gone viral. Hashtags like #blackgirlmagic and #blackgirlsrock have sprung up and a recent fave hashtag #ifthisisatrenddontletitdie in regards to the beautiful representation of African inspired prom gowns.

People usually wear what they feel connected to. It's a way of stating who they are and what they believe in. Rocking a Dashiki print or Ankara print can be political to. It became popular in the 60's with the rise of Black movement. It's popular now because it's a reflection of our changing times in terms of beauty and diversity. You might have noticed all the melanin hashtags on your social media pages too. Yes. Your black is beautiful! There is something else I noticed. The confidence. Gosh, it's on ten million. The guy in his sleeveless Dashiki flexing is boulders of arms had his hood on in 80 degree weather. He must have felt like Shaka Zulu! The only thing he was missing was a spear.

Later as were were walking back home after the Happy hour session with my friends, I spotted a lady in a Blue Dashiki walking towards my direction. As our eyes met, I quipped a quick

"Hey sis!"

She smiled like a long lost sister and said Heeyy Sis! We smiled and went on our merry way. Kinship! There will be more day parties, tons of Dashiki and I am personally looking forward to Afro Punk in Brooklyn later this year. This is going to be an amazing Summer! Hello Summer 2016!