Bestselling fabrics, bestselling stories

As Vlisco has been producing Wax Hollandais since 1846, we have had decades and decades to design and produces wax fabrics that have left a distinct mark in the memory of mankind. In this section you find a number of bestsellers that have allowed generations of Vlisco-wearers to express themselves using the wax fabrics they wore. Remember, Vlisco fabrics are named not by Vlisco itself, but by consumers all over the world. Therefor, from time to time and place to place, the fabrics have been attributed with many different meanings.

Below, we introduce some stories of those fabrics. Just remember, you can find many more in our shop at vlisco.com, and we welcome you to contribute your own story at stories.vlisco.com!

• Fallen Tree: in unity, there is strength

Our range of bestselling wax prints dates back to the beginning of the twentieth century, which saw the production of fabrics reflecting the aesthetics of the Dutch Art Nouveau and Indo-European batiks. In 1933, these were used to inspire the ‘Fallen Tree’. This famous ‘African Batik’ continues to be an immense popular Wax Block Print, especially in Ghana. The current version features a scroll that reads reads “Dua kur gye enum a obu”. It is Twi for ‘one tree alone cannot stand the wind’: in unity, there is strength.

• Happy Family: woman are key to the family

The Happy Family design represents a family set up that many can relate to. At the centre of this Golden Embellished Wax Block Print you can see the maternal figure, the chicken, surrounded by her chicks and future chicks - the eggs. The rooster seems to be nothing but trouble. That may be why this bestselling wax fabric is also referred to as ‘Mon mari est incapable’ - ‘My husband is incapable’.

• Table fan: a cool breeze for the rich

As we mentioned earlier, one fabric may carry many names, and many meanings. The same can also be true for the names themselves. This is the case with the ‘table fan’, a name which refers to a least two different wax fabrics. One a rather geometrical design, featurings lots of stylish greys, one a decorative Wax Hollandais on a deep, ‘Igbo’, red. Now a favourite in many countries, this ‘Table Fan’ started as a bestseller in Nigeria, where a fan was once seen as the only way to cool down in the warm African climate. For good reasons, market vendors with electric fans enjoyed a certain status.