Dakotas x WAF
The creators of Dakotas saw a need to personify a part of South African fashion, culture & identity that was not represented and had no designated space in society. Thirty-two years later and on different Africa grounds, WAFFLESNCREAM (WAF) was founded on the same premise. The cultures they represent are vastly different- Dakotas being a contemporary menswear brand and WAF aiming to grow Nigeria’s skateboarding community. However, they are both solid streetwear staples proudly representing their home grounds.
The Dakotas x WAF collab is a natural next step in both brands place in streetwear. They have seen various collaborations with other African streetwear brands, ranging from Dakotas x Wanda Le Photo and Dakotas x Grade Africa to WAF x S.W.A.N.K Jozi and WAF x Patta. Having created a space for themselves in society by using fashion as a means of expression and representation of their cultural heritage, all of these brands are shifting the global fashion industry's perspective on African fashion.
Dakotas is a South African shoe brand that was established to provide formal and reliable shoes, typically worn by the working class of South Africa's pre-1994 landscape but done in a stylish and effortless way. The long-held desire of the brand remains the same- something casual yet elevated and proudly representative of its consumer. Thus we see its resurgence over the past two years with streetwear shifting into the realm of the casual-preppy aesthetic while incorporating modern design elements that appeal to a broader audience. In doing so, the brand has created a unique identity that reflects our countries transformation, especially through its youth.
Similarly, WAF is a Nigerian clothing brand that was founded in 2009 and started as a skateboarding crew that wanted to create a space for themselves in Nigeria's skate culture. Over the years the brand has evolved into a fashion house that works on continually developing an informal skating structure within the city of Lagos and cities in the West African region, focusing on youth who show talent and interest in the sport. The brands success lies in its ability to capture the essence of Nigerian street culture and infuse it into its products, creating a unique identity that resonates with the countries younger generation.
It is undeniable that both brands sit with the likes of Daily Paper and Ashluxe, as streetwear brands that represent a cultural identity that is not generally represented in global fashion and rooted in a complex history. Dakotas and WAF have shown that African fashion can compete with the best in the world, while staying true to tradition and heritage.
The Dakotas x WAF collab features the classic Dakotas Hi Shine Loafer with a matte white leather upper. It boasts bespoke “WAF” branding debossed on the side of the shoe, on the in-sole and on the box. The Hi Shine comes in three colourways- emerald green, a rich navy, and the heritage brown, all contrasting the white upper. The vibrant colourways against the crisp upper is a successful showcasing of WAF’s bold prints and contrasting colours seen in their pieces, also usually contrasted with white design features.
The Dakotas x WAF Moccasin’s drop this Saturday, the 6th of May exclusively at Shelflife!
All three colourways available in-store & online for R2999:
BROWN/WHITE: UK5-UK9 (no UK8 available in-store)
GREEN/WHITE: UK5-UK10 (no UK10 in-store)
NAVY/WHITE: UK5-UK10 (no UK10 in-store)