If you’ve browsed the Harpenden Sustainability Market, chances are you’ve spotted Marilyn’s vibrant stall, The African Shop. Marilyn sells striking tote bags, neckties, purses and jewellery handmade from African wax fabrics.
Marilyn runs her stall herself for fun and often ramps up her making during the holidays. She sews and beads all her items herself, using mostly Ankara fabric. This iconic textile is commonly associated with West Africa, but actually originates from the Netherlands.
Selling from her stall and online shop, Marilyn likes the flexibility of the market stall. You’ll often find her at other markets like London’s Spitalfields Market, where she had a stall during Black History Month. ‘It’s cheaper and more sustainable to move around,’ she says. ‘Customers come and go, and I move with them.’
Global understanding and cultural sharing
Marilyn says, ‘In Ghanaian wedding ceremonies, the man is supposed to buy expensive fabrics for the bride. Our local fabrics are colourful but not expensive. So when people started bringing fabrics from abroad — like Dutch wax print — it added value to the dowry. It made it look like the man had really gone out of his way. Eventually, women started requesting ‘Holland cloth’ for their weddings.
Cultural sharing is something Marilyn is passionate about. When asked about how she feels about non-Africans wearing African fabrics, she’s clear, ‘We love it! It makes me feel at home when I see someone wearing our cloth. It starts a conversation.’ She views cultural exchange as enriching, not exploitative, and believes rigid ideas of cultural ownership can create barriers between people.
A sustainable fabric
African fabrics are very durable and many garments are made to be heirlooms. They don’t need to be washed as frequently as other types of fabric. Instead, you can air them out, sun-dry them, and they’ll last for years — the wax coating helps preserve them from insects. If you do wash them, then stick to 30°C and iron on the reverse side to protect the surface.
Marilyn’s top eco tip? ‘Reuse what you have.’ She repurposes old ties into aprons and patchwork items. If you have old ties, even stain ones, then she’ll happily collect them to turn into new items, blending African fabrics with satin and denim in creative ways
The African Shop will be back at the sustainability market on the 21st of September 2025. Until then, you can find her shop, Intimate Ties Couture on Etsy and Instagram or email her at intimate.ties2@gmail.com.
Join us at the next Sustainability Market on Sunday the 21st of September to discover other local eco and food stalls that promote a more sustainable lifestyle. Visit our markets page for the full schedule of dates.