[ GLOBAL FASHION OLYMPICS ] WT's Top 5 Opening Ceremony Uniforms

You couldn't have a Parade of Nations without a Wandering Threads feature on global style choices, it just wouldn't be right. In fact, even whilst watching the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony on Friday night my own friends were making predictions for this here post. So here we have it: a compiled list of Wandering Thread's Top 5 Opening Ceremony Outfits, featuring the teams whose uniforms most successfully captured an essence of their own country's traditional spirit whilst maintaining a contemporary sense of style. And before you mention it, yes I am unfailingly rooting for Team GB, but I have to hold my hands up (along with the rest of the country) with a 'WT*?!'. Should have left the job to Stella, Next. 

All images by Yahoo Sport. Graphics by Wandering Threads.

5. Mexico
In true Mexican spirit, the team paraded party spirit for the occasion. Donning brightly coloured ponchos and garishly embroidered and appliqued shirts, the Mexican team certainly radiated festive energy. It may not be Olympic chic, but hey, it's authentic, its colourful and it got a great reaction from the crowds. Viva Mexico!

4. Spain

From a distance, looking almost like a parade of Spanish national flags themselves, Spain kept true to their country colours with a coordinated red and yellow ensemble. Paying attention to detail, the women's yellow jacket and pleated silk skirt uniforms were accessorised with red waist belts and traditional Spanish patterned, fan-shaped cross body bags, whilst both genders wore custom printed neck ties. One of the few European nations that just managed to steer away from the dull 'flight crew' look, Spain comes in at number four for its traditional inspired embellishments and custom designed accessories.

3. Cameroon

At number 3 is West Africa's Cameroon. Clad head to toe in traditional dress (also worn on a daily basis by many Cameroonian's), the team's heavily decorated women's kabba and men's boubou's, embellished with sunset hued embroidery against a stark black background, really set the team apart. Ethnic style props to you Cameroon!

2.  Indonesia
Renowned for their skilfully crafted batik, its no wonder the Indonesian team chose to dress their female team members in brightly coloured version of the wax-resist dye technique. Paired with a smartly tailored red silk Kebaya, in keeping with the colours of their national flag, Team Indonesia certainly created a winning combination of contemporary meets traditional.

1. India
Mixing traditional brightly coloured Indian dress with an air of tailored western chic, India definitely stole the show with their elegant choice of an (auspicious) canary yellow/navy sari, turban and suit combos, despite the gatecrashing red jumper and jean glad random 'leading' in the nation in front! 

Which country do you think most successfully combined tradition with contemporary style for the Opening Ceremony? Leave your comments below!

[ ETHNIC BANDS FOR SUMMER HANDS ] Kuta, Bali

I've been doing a bit of shopping (surprised?) since I touched down in the beautiful tropical paradise that is Bali. First stop, Kuta. Not exactly your ideal holiday spot thanks to all the drunken Ozzie's and Brit's falling all over the streets but thanks to an over friendly insect and a couple of knife wielding doctors, it looks like it's I'll be sticking around here for the next few days. So, in an effort to make the best of a bad situation, I bring you: ethnic bands for summer hands!

I snapped these little beauties (above) from a little jewellery store round the corner. Stocked floor to ceiling with handmade pendants, bangles and rings, all knotted and beaded, carved and chiselled, threaded and laced into brightly coloured, easy-wearing, beach friendly accessories. And for those of you who like what you see, I did a little online window shopping to bring you few ideas for your own summer hands! Of course you can always get crafty and make some of your own...

{Ethnic Bands for Summer Hands} by wandering-threads

Kris Nations cord jewelry, $84, Forever 21 filigree jewelry, $4.80, Giles Brother boho jewelry, £28, Fine jade jewelry, £139

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[ ANTIK BATIK ] Ethnic Threads SS 2011

Vintage embroidered cotton clutch £89

Zanon embellished knitted cotton cardigan £444 and Simoni paillette and bead necklace £127

Costa appliquéd python belt £182

Antik Batik has been whirling round my head since my days at Saint Martins but I've only recently come to remember why....and now its glaring me in the face. Inspired by her travels around the globe, Italian designer Gabriella Cortese set up Antik Batik in her now adopted home of Paris back in 1992. Fueled with decorative extravagance from every corner of the globe, with an eclectic mix of geometric and floral prints, neon colour combo's from Peru, Indian bandhani and mirror appliqué, and Indonesian batik, her aesthetic is unquestionably ethnic. My kind of label. And since I'm covering almost a quarter of the globe over the course of the coming year, its' a perfect excuse to follow in the footsteps of Ms. Cortese and seek out such indigenous artistry!

www.antikbatik.fr

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[ WAYANG GOLEK ] Indonesian Shadow Theatre

Back in March last year myself and a team of exotic enthusiast art students decided to play on the idea of the traditional Indonesian performance art of Wayang shadow theatre. The shoot combined the traditional with the contemporary by translating the idea into an editorial and bringing the Golek dolls to life for a feature in my graduate magazine TRIBE,  a snippet of which can be seen here.