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Classics

Items 1-32 of 296

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  1. VL00017.300
    VL00017.300
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    VL00017.300
    Wax Hollandais ABC
    Starting at
    €89.00
  2. VL00562.119
    VL00562.119
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    VL00562.119
    Wax Hollandais L'arbre tombé
    Starting at
    €66.00
  3. VLA0020.163
    VLA0020.163
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    VLA0020.163
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €89.00
  4. VL00921.209
    VL00921.209
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    VL00921.209
    Wax Hollandais Hibiscus
    Starting at
    €89.00
  5. cotton satin
    VL03327.125
    VL03327.125
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    VL03327.125
    Wax Hollandais LTD ED Pink Embellished
    Starting at
    €50.00
  6. VLH1421.053
    VLH1421.053
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    VLH1421.053
    Wax Hollandais Don't get married empty-handed
    Starting at
    €66.00
  7. Classics - Alphabet - 1
  8. VL00921.204
    VL00921.204
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    VL00921.204
    Wax Hollandais Hibiscus
    Starting at
    €89.00
  9. cotton satin
    VL03327.126
    VL03327.126
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    VL03327.126
    Wax Hollandais LTD ED Silver Embellished
    Starting at
    €50.00
  10. VL01178.253
    VL01178.253
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    VL01178.253
    Wax Hollandais Atchue Jaune Citron
    Starting at
    €66.00
  11. VL03988.192
    VL03988.192
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    VL03988.192
    Wax Hollandais Awoulaba
    Starting at
    €66.00
  12. cotton satin
    VL00770.134
    VL00770.134
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    VL00770.134
    Wax Hollandais LTD ED Pink Embellished
    Starting at
    €139.00
  13. VL00017.299
    VL00017.299
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    VL00017.299
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €89.00
  14. Classics - Village Molokai - 2
  15. VL00921.203
    VL00921.203
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    VL00921.203
    Wax Hollandais Hibiscus
    Starting at
    €66.00
  16. VL0H876.062
    VL0H876.062
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    VL0H876.062
    Wax Hollandais Cha Cha Cha
    Starting at
    €89.00
  17. VL00963.100
    VL00963.100
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    VL00963.100
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €89.00
  18. VL00921.233
    VL00921.233
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    VL00921.233
    Wax Hollandais Hibiscus
    Starting at
    €89.00
  19. VL00017.308
    VL00017.308
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    VL00017.308
    Wax Hollandais ABC
    Starting at
    €66.00
  20. VL00736.199
    VL00736.199
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    VL00736.199
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €66.00
  21. Classics - Jumping horse - 3
  22. VL00792.207
    VL00792.207
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    VL00792.207
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €89.00
  23. VL00562.118
    VL00562.118
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    VL00562.118
    Wax Hollandais L'arbre tombé
    Starting at
    €89.00
  24. VL04735.071
    VL04735.071
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    VL04735.071
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €66.00
  25. VL00001.275
    VL00001.275
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    VL00001.275
    Wax Hollandais The Household Gravel
    Starting at
    €89.00
  26. VL08759.068
    VL08759.068
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    VL08759.068
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €89.00
  27. VL45750.174
    VL45750.174
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    VL45750.174
    Wax Hollandais Tableau Blanc
    Starting at
    €66.00
  28. Classics - fleur de mariage - 4
  29. VL02074.117
    VL02074.117
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    VL02074.117
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €89.00
  30. VL00562.125
    VL00562.125
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    VL00562.125
    Wax Hollandais L'arbre tombé
    Starting at
    €89.00
  31. VL02919.103
    VL02919.103
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    VL02919.103
    Super-Wax
    Starting at
    €125.00
  32. VLH1421.056
    VLH1421.056
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    VLH1421.056
    Wax Hollandais Don’t get married empty-handed
    Starting at
    €89.00
  33. cotton satin
    VL00690.233
    VL00690.233
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    VL00690.233
    Wax Hollandais LTD ED Silver Embellished
    Starting at
    €139.00
  34. ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
    VL02788.333
    VL02788.333
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    VL02788.333
    Super-Wax LTD ED Gold Embellished
    Starting at
    €55.00
  35. cotton satin
    VL00034.188
    VL00034.188
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    VL00034.188
    Wax Hollandais LTD ED Pale Copper Embellished
    Starting at
    €139.00
  36. VL01582.073
    VL01582.073
    + Other colours
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    VL01582.073
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €89.00

Items 1-32 of 296

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Vlisco Classics

Since 1846, Vlisco has been creating authentic fabrics that have influenced the African fashion landscape. An authentic fabric from the Vlisco classics range can be Wax Hollandais (also called Wax Block, Wax Veritable Hollandais or Real Dutch Wax) Java, or Super-wax. Having left the factory, the wax prints came to live by the people who sold and wore them. Their unique print styles and classic designs have become part of a rich heritage with many heart-warming stories to tell. Stories of family history, inheritance and of fabrics that have deeper meaning. Some of our classic wax prints have even been awarded names of endearment by our consumers. The appealing patterns and unique colour combinations ensure that everyone can express their personality in their clothing.  

Classic fabric stories

In this section, we tell you the story of a few classic Vlisco fabrics. If you want to read more, you can click on the fabrics themselves, or check our section ‘fabric stories’. Many of the prints that have became classics, are reprinted from time to time. The wax patterns come in a variety of shades like yellow, blue, green, red, pink, purple, orange and brown. The designs are available in 6 yard, sometimes also in 2, 4 or 12 yards (cotton cloth). Shop the colourful design world of VLISCO, all the latest prints are for sale in our online store.

* Six Bougies

No story about a Vlisco fabric, would be complete without mentioning the role of the West African market women, who sold Dutch wax prints and turned them into legendary items that changed the appearance of an African street view. Honouring these ‘mama Benz’, Vlisco designed its ‘VL0H313.136’, which soon came to be known as the ‘six bougies’. When the idea for this  was first conceived, the six bougies suggested that its wearer had a six-cylinder car, a sign of wealth. Nowadays, many take the six bougies as a symbol of the strength of an African woman, portrayed in the middle, who can easily take on six men.

* Angelina, a.k.a. Miriam Makeba, Ya Mado or Addis Abeda

An example of a classic Java print is the ‘Angelina’, so immortal that it has gained many names, as it was loved by many people, in many different contexts. In Ghana, the popularity of the print coincided with the release of the hit song “Angelina” by legendary Ghanaian band The Sweet Talks. In Congo, this print was called “Ya Mado”, after a phrase in Fabregas’ music video “Mascara”, in which dancers wore this pattern. Though the phrase “Ya Mado” served to praise attractive voluptuous women, the Congolese changed the reference of the fabric when beloved singer and activist Miriam Makeba passed away. As she had loved to wear African prints, many decided to name their beloved wax print after the legendary artist.

* Record, a.k.a. Plaque-Plaque, Target, Nsu Bura, Gbedze, Consulaire or Gbédjégan

This real Dutch wax block print first appeared on the market in the 1960s. Since then, it has gained many names, including “Nsu Bura” (‘water well’ in Ghanese). Looking at the wax fabric, you may see the resemblance with the ripple effect that occurs when you throw a stone in the water. Whatever you do, good or bad, it will have an effect on everyone around you. In Togo, this classic geometric wax print is seen as a ‘gbédjégan’, a traditional straw king’s hat, or a ‘gbedze’, a hat worn during daily activities. In Nigeria, the design is known as ‘record’, due to its similarity to vinyl records.