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Classics

Classics

Items 1-32 of 459

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  1. VL03639.218
    VL03639.218
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    VL03639.218
    Wax Hollandais Grotto
    Starting at
    €90.35
  2. VL08759.056
    VL08759.056
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    VL08759.056
    Wax Hollandais Fan
    Starting at
    €99.69
  3. VL00022.335
    VL00022.335
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    VL00022.335
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €90.35
  4. VLA2257.039
    VLA2257.039
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    VLA2257.039
    Super-Wax
    Starting at
    €125.25
  5. VL00963.119
    VL00963.119
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    VL00963.119
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €65.58
  6. VL00963.125
    VL00963.125
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    VL00963.125
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €90.35
  7. VL00963.123
    VL00963.123
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    VL00963.123
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €90.35
  8. VL02788.266
    VL02788.266
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    VL02788.266
    Super-Wax
    Starting at
    €125.25
  9. VL02921.278
    VL02921.278
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    VL02921.278
    Super-Wax
    Starting at
    €125.25
  10. VL01003.083
    VL01003.083
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    VL01003.083
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €90.35
  11. VL00736.206
    VL00736.206
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    VL00736.206
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €90.35
  12. VL00963.107
    VL00963.107
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    VL00963.107
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €90.35
  13. VL00633.312
    VL00633.312
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    VL00633.312
    Wax Hollandais as: Record
    Starting at
    €90.35
  14. VL02788.222
    VL02788.222
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    VL02788.222
    Super-Wax
    Starting at
    €125.25
  15. VL01582.057
    VL01582.057
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    VL01582.057
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €65.58
  16. VL40850.338
    VL40850.338
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    VL40850.338
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €90.35
  17. VL45750.174
    VL45750.174
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    VL45750.174
    Wax Hollandais Tableau Blanc
    Starting at
    €65.58
  18. VL01178.250
    VL01178.250
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    VL01178.250
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €90.35
  19. VL02788.230
    VL02788.230
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    VL02788.230
    Super-Wax
    Starting at
    €125.25
  20. VL00926.107
    VL00926.107
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    VL00926.107
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €90.35
  21. VL49150.057
    VL49150.057
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    VL49150.057
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €90.35
  22. VL02921.282
    VL02921.282
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    VL02921.282
    Super-Wax
    Starting at
    €125.25
  23. VL02788.294
    VL02788.294
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    VL02788.294
    Super-Wax
    Starting at
    €125.25
  24. VL01474.054
    VL01474.054
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    VL01474.054
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €90.35
  25. VL00760.162
    VL00760.162
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    VL00760.162
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €90.35
  26. VL04735.061
    VL04735.061
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    VL04735.061
    Wax Hollandais
    Starting at
    €65.58
  27. VL0H907.149
    VL0H907.149
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    VL0H907.149
    Wax Hollandais Advice
    Starting at
    €90.35
  28. VL03639.226
    VL03639.226
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    VL03639.226
    Wax Hollandais Grotto
    Starting at
    €65.58
  29. VL02919.084
    VL02919.084
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    VL02919.084
    Super-Wax
    Starting at
    €125.25
  30. VL02921.273
    VL02921.273
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    VL02921.273
    Super-Wax
    Starting at
    €125.25
  31. VL03241.168
    VL03241.168
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    VL03241.168
    Super-Wax Village Molokai
    Starting at
    €125.25
  32. VL02921.332
    VL02921.332
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    VL02921.332
    Super-Wax
    Starting at
    €90.93

Items 1-32 of 459

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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.