Afua Fabric: A Kente-Inspired Textile
The Afua fabric has become a defining design within the Sister fabric collection. Inspired by the rich Ghanaian heritage of Sophie's husband - fashion designer Charlie Casely-Hayford, the pattern draws on the tradition of Kente cloth, reinterpreting its symbolic geometry with a contemporary approach to scale, colour and pattern.
Part of Sister's debut fabric capsule, the Jocasta Collection, Afua blends cultural reference with modern interior design sensibilities. The result is a statement textile that works equally well in residential interiors, hospitality settings and layered decorative schemes.
Developed in collaboration with Yarn Collective, the Afua fabric is suitable for upholstery and soft furnishings.
A Contemporary Take on Kente Cloth
Kente cloth has long been associated with prestige and storytelling in West African textiles. The Afua fabric reimagines this heritage through a graphic arrangement of stripes and geometric motifs.
By enlarging the scale of traditional Kente patterns and refining the palette, the design feels both rooted in tradition and entirely contemporary. The pattern introduces rhythm and structure into a room, making it ideal for statement upholstery, cushions or layered textile schemes.
The Afua Fabric Colourways
Afua is available in four distinctive colourways, each offering a different mood while maintaining the bold graphic identity of the design.
Afua in Olive
A rich deep olive base punctuated by dusty blue block motifs. This colourway creates a grounded, sophisticated palette that works beautifully in living spaces and studies.
Afua in Turmeric
Warm golden tones bring energy and warmth to the pattern, making it a striking choice for statement upholstery or accent pieces.
Afua in Walnut
A deeper, earthy interpretation that introduces warmth and depth to interiors while maintaining the strong geometric structure of the design.
Afua in Taupe
A softer neutral palette that allows the graphic pattern to remain present while blending effortlessly into calmer interior schemes.
Styling the Afua Fabric
With its bold geometry and rhythmic stripe, Afua works beautifully as both a statement textile and as part of a layered scheme.
For larger pieces such as upholstered armchairs, sofas or headboards, the pattern brings structure and character to a room. The stripe also lends itself particularly well to bench seating or ottomans, where the graphic repetition can be fully appreciated.
For a lighter touch, Afua can be introduced through cushions, window treatments or occasional seating, adding colour and pattern without overwhelming a space. Pairing it with tactile fabrics such as bouclé or mohair can soften the graphic quality of the design while creating depth within an interior scheme.
If you’re developing a fabric palette, ordering samples is the best way to experience the colour and scale of the design in person and to see how it interacts with other materials in your space.
Sister in the Wild
Afua has already been embraced across a variety of interior settings, appearing in projects by designers as well as within private homes.
From upholstered armchairs and statement headboards to layered cushion arrangements and window treatments, the fabric brings structure and personality to a space. Its bold geometry works particularly well when paired with softer textures such as bouclé or mohair, creating balanced and visually rich schemes.
We always enjoy discovering how Sister fabrics are interpreted in different interiors — tag @sisterbystudioashby to share your project.
Get in Touch
For trade enquiries:
Please contact Yarn Collective for specifications, pricing and project enquiries.
For retail enquiries:
Get in touch with us for further information or to request fabric samples.
