[ WANDERGRAM ] Instagraming Malaysia

A few Wandergrams from my recent stopover in Malaysia. Pretty prints, beautiful buys and sunny shores from the Perhentian Islands to Kuala Lumpur's Little India, China Town and Central Market. Enjoy!

Remember, you can always follow me on Instagram if you'r suffering from a little wanderlust from time to time...!

[ AFRICAN OBSESSION ] FAIR + true

1. Fair Trade African Print Ruched Skirt 2. Fair Trade African Print Trousers 3. Fair Trade Bold African Print Dress 4. Upcycled Vegan T-Bar Sandals 5. Hava Fair Trade African Print Bikini  6. Upcycled Vegan Pattern Espadrille Shoes 7. Fair Trade African Print Peplum Top 8. Fair Trade African Print Round Neck Jacket 9. Fair Trade Floral Bustier Top 10. Fair Trade African Print Maxi Dress

Possessing a penchant for brightly coloured ethnic fabrics, it goes without saying that I'm totally in love with African prints. Lucky for me the fashion world's gone Africa crazy this season, with both the shops and the web positively bursting with eye-popping hues and over sized prints. Of course you can take your pick from the gazillion options out there, but why not get something a little more authentic, and while you're at it make that choice an ethical one?

A label that happens to tick all three boxes (contemporary and super stylish, check. Ethically produced, check. Use of authentic, traditional fabrics, check) are London based label FAIR + true. Their range of Kanga print (traditional fabric from East Africa) and Kanga inspired maxi dresses, beach and swimwear, tailoring and footwear are created using organic or sustainable materials such as soy, bamboo, tencel modal or organic cotton and are produced locally in London or in Kenya and Malawi under Fair Trade schemes, making special efforts to support local communities. Ethnically ethical statement pieces at an affordable price - what's not to love?

Click the links above to purchase FAIR + true from Fashion-Conscience.com or visit their website fair+true.co.uk

FAIR + true also utilise traditional textiles from both Nepal and Vietnam, examples of which can be seen above in vegan footwear products 4 and 6.

[ ACCIDENTALLY AWESOME ] An Ethnic Design Love Affair

One of the things I love about ethnic design is the ubiquitous use of bold, graphic lines and geometrical shapes. Be it a piece of jewellery or a intricately woven wall hanging, look closely at those patterns, they may be repeated over and over, doused in brilliantly saturated hues and created using a myriad of techniques but, whatever the item, that nature of simplicity still remains: unpretentious and modest. It's those easy lines, imperfectly round and slightly off centre, or perhaps even that accidental skip of a stitch or out-of-sync pattern repeat that only adds to the beauty and authenticity of the piece. 

I love that offbeat, 'I'd rather go and play' feeling that exudes from those folksy, bohemian trends we just can't seem to get enough of. To put it simply: it's got character. Why spend your time worrying about automated precision when you can have so much fun making it with your hands?

So in honor of time spent with a needle and thread, a paintbrush, a silk screen and a piercing saw, here's a few of my current favorite ethnic inspired images and artworks. And if this selection just doesn't cut it for you, hop on over to my Ethnic Art Pinterest board for an extra dose of ethnic overload. 

All images from Wandering Threads 'Ethnic Art' board on Pinterest. For individual credits please see individual images.

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[ THỜI TRANG NỮ ] Tribal Dress at the Vietnamese Women's Museum, Hanoi

Upon a rainy day in Hanoi, Vietnam, but a couple of months ago I ventured off to The Vietnamese Women's Museum on recommendation by a few fellow travellers who were most impressed by the exhibitions. Being a culture junkie and ethnic textile enthusiast, I found myself positively in textbook heaven upon reaching the fourth floor, dedicated entirely to 'Womens Fashion's' of Vietnam's indigenous populations.  

Having recently ventured into the depths of Laos and, previously, northern Thailand,I have a well established appreciation for the creative zeal of South East Asia's tribal minorities. In 2007 I trekked into the mountains of northern Thailand, spending a few days emersed in the fascinating culture of the Akha and Lisu groups whilst staying with them in their respective hill tribe villages. I was blown away by the abundance of dazzling embellishments, colour saturated appliqué and awesome oversized jewellery. Basically, it got me hooked.

As with many long standing indigenous cultures, handcrafted textiles, jewellery, headdresses and other such adornments are highly prized not just by the groups themselves, whose women perfect and pass on such traditional artistry from early childhood well into their adult lives, but by designer's and collectors around the world. But for the majority, who are relatively unexposed to such cultures, dedicated museum exhibitions such as this one are tremendously important. Set in place to both reach out and excite audiences, their role as an educative tool also draws attention to the fact that these diverse cultures, indigenous populations whose traditions stem back far beyond our own, are under threat from the pitfalls of the modern world.

As a designer myself I never fail to be captivated, inspired and impressed by the diversity and beauty interwoven within the wealth of techniques, patterns, motifs and styles of these tribal communities. I can't stress how important it is for us to help conserve the traditions of cultures like this all over the world, especially to the creative communities amongst us for whom these cultures can provide endless inspiration. Thus so I have put together this (super long!) post, with a few notes from the exhibition, in the hope that all of you may too be dazzled and intrigued by the beautiful handcrafted creations of these enterprising communities.

 

Fashion & Motif Art

Like many indigenous cultures around the world, a women's skills end experience are judged by the amount and quality of the textiles shes makes. Unfortunately nowadays this practice is becoming less and less important as more efficient, hard-wearing chemical dyes and sewing machines have overtaken the traditional craft of loom weaving along with the modernisation of traditional costumes to the point where they are often now only worn for ceremonial occasions.

Within the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam cotton is the most popular fabric and while natural silk is usually reserved for festive costumes and appliqué, Hmong women mostly use fabric woven from hemp, which is then dyed with indigo.

Pathen, Flower Lolo and Flower Hmong traditionally have very colourful clothing and complex sewing techniques. The Yao and Phula peoples favour embroidery; Lolo and Pupeo, appliqué; Hmong and Yao Tien, batik; Thai and Khmer, ikat, and the Muong, Tay and populations of the High Plateau prefer woven patterns. Patterns and motifs generally vary with geographical location, traditional tribal identities and local landscapes. 

 
Batik

Used by the Hmong and Yao Tien.

Designs and patterns are drawn onto fabric using melted wax. When the wax is dry the fabric is dyed several times in indigo baths then immersed in boiling water to melt the wax. The protected patterns appear as a light colour on an indigo background. This ankle length pleated skirt shown below is a typical example of traditional Hmong batik application.

Ikat

Used by the Black Thai, the Khmer and the Bahnar to create patterns with beautiful soft outlines.

Ikat is a dye technique like batik, but instead of protecting the fabric before the dyeing process, the threads are protected instead. Some threads are tied up with plant or nylon fibres to protect them from the dyeing process which is usually repeated several times to obtain a multicoloured thread that is used for the weft during weaving. In some regions chain ikat is also used.

Appliqué

Used by indigenous populations in the Nothern Mountains of Vietnam.

Small pieces of coloured fabric are sewn onto a background to create patterns. Various coloured fabrics are cut into geometrical forms and sewn on to the fabric while the threads are hidden behind appliqué. Each group specialises in its own traditional patterns such as the Hmong, who use a very elaborate technique called reverse appliqué where the top layer of fabric is cut into patterns to reveal the colour of the backing fabric.

 
HEY! What are you doing?! Don't stop here, there's more to read (and, of course, more images) regarding hill tribe jewellery, adornments and headdresses! Click the link below to keep reading! DO IT NOW!

[ THREAD LUSTINGS ] FolkloreLove on Etsy

Rustic Antique Romanian Hand Woven Pillow Cover, Antique Romanian Hand Woven Rustic Pillow Cover Red & White, Rustic Vintage Romanian Hand Loomed Macat Pillow Cover, and Antique Hand Woven Rustic Pillow Cover

Glaringly garish or charmingly kitsch? Whatever, I'm in ethnic textile heaven. Perhaps, if I threw these fancifully ethnic cushions into the mix of a bohemian living space, I might just get away with their outlandishly folkish veneer? Picture time-worn wooden floors spread with antique rugs, throw-laden sofas and a vintage grandfather clock thrown in for good measure and you've got the perfect scene for these antique textile cushions from FolkLove on Etsy. Reincarnated from old, handwoven Romanian kilim, a traditional style of handwoven rug found in eastern Europe and the Middle East, what better to beat those post-wandering blues and conjure some kind of fabled nostalgia to one's home? Hmm, maybe I shouldn't stop traveling...

Like what you see? Take a wander around my list of ethnic inspired Etsy favorites by clicking here.  

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[ PINTER LUSTINGS ] Ethnic Fashion Inspirations

So, I've already mentioned my new-found obsession with Pinterest, and over the past few weeks I've been busy pinning my favorite ethnically inspired images all over my boards. I've already shown you some of my top picks from my Ethnic Interiors category so here's a  little taste of what you can find on my Ethnic Fashion board. Click here to see more ethnic inspired everything from fashion and interiors to homeware, accessories, global inspirations and editorials. I'll be posting my favorites on here now and again but remember to follow me on Pinterest if you like what you see!

All images sourced from Pinterest.com

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[ MEXICAN FLING ] Mara Hoffman SS2012

Keeping up with my current penchant for colour bursting brights and sunny prints, here's another of my very recent discoveries: Mara Hoffman. Coincidentally I stumbled across both ethnic obsessed designers Mara Hoffman and Holst + Lee in a rather serendipitous web session (as you may well have made the connection by now with my earlier post). A dream team of tribal style, Holst + Lee were called in to accessorise Mara's polychromatic, Mexican inspired SS 2012 collection at October's NYFW.
 
 
Known for her bohemian flair, Mara's 'Mexican Mama's' drew inspiration from the folksy patterns of indigenous costume and the vividly hued, evocative paintings of Mexican icon Frida Kahlo. The collection of jump suits, maxi dresses, tapered pants, caftans and the ever practical blouse and shorts staples were adorned with interlacing geometric neon embroidery, beading and wood block prints in tropical shades, offset with crisp white. It's designers like Mara that prompt wishful thoughts of one day setting up my own ethnic inspired line. Hmmm. Alas, for now I think I'll just wallow in the memories of my own Mexican summer of '08....ahhh.

All images courtesy of Ecouterre.com 

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[LE AFRIQUE C'EST CHIC ] Australian Vogue December 2011

Whilst combing the shelves of an English language bookstore in Vientiane, Laos, a few weeks ago, my eyes were immediately drawn to the colourific, tribal-centric December issue of Australian Vogue. On its cover, the beautiful Isabel Lucas festooned with brightly beaded tribal inspired jewellery, her head overtyped with a somewhat unusually ethnic-patterned 'VOGUE'. Evidently, I snapped it up and being pleasantly surprised by the plethora of sunshine ready apparel and summery shades (reminding me that yes, back home you are all suffering through -2°C while, thankfully, the rest of the world is not), I have promised myself that from now on I shall endeavor to purchase an Australian Vogue through the bleak and dreary English winters.

 

So, in aid of my timely discovery and its coincidentally ethnic theme I thought I'd share some of these blazingly colour saturated shots from my favorite editorial of the issue, the African inspired Le Afrique C'est Chic. Shot by Max Doyle and starring model Kate Fogarty, stylist Naomi Smith fuses vivid graphic prints and dazzling statement jewellery from the likes of Diane von Furstenburg, Emilio Pucci and Burberry Prorsum to create this eclectic blend of tribal chic. My favorite - the artfully styled printed silk head wraps! I could use one of those to tame this unruly hair of mine! 

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[ DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING ] Pinterest

So, once again I have to admit I'm a bit behind in the social networking front. What with my recent discovery of Polyvore, Stumble Upon and Fancy, I am slightly ashamed to admit that I have, only now, discovered the wonders of Pinterest. And wonderous it most  surely is! I love this idea of digital scrapbooking, it makes nomadic life a little less stressful knowing that even if my beloved Mac gets stolen (god help me) at least I can rest assured all my inspirations are locked away somewhere in digital cyberspace. So, making full use of this beautiful site, my eclectically patterned brain has been busy pinning away ethnic inspirations, catergorising them into boards of interiors, fashion, accessories and homeware. Go on, have a look at my pin boards for more ethnic inspirations like these spectacularly vibrant interiors!!!

All images on this post are copied from Pinterest. 
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[ TEA COSY OR HAT? ] Patan, Nepal

India was all about the women, Nepal is, most definitely, all about the men. They are of the cheerfully obliging variety and will happily pose for you, grinning mischievously as you snap away. Not only is this a great asset to my budding global photographic collection but its a great way of showing all of you the particulars of Nepalese traditional dress!

Shirts, trousers, waistcoats and flip flops - all very standard and obviously a practicality- but what's that on their heads? Is it a tea cosy? Is it a tea cosy worn as a hat? Actually its just a hat, a dhaka topi to be precise. Dhaka referring to the type of traditional, handwoven fabric and topi, referring to the lightly worn, top creased, brimless hat. This evidently popular item of Nepalese national dress is worn with much pride throughout the country on a daily basis, unlike the rest of the outfit, the daura suruwal or labeda suruwal (essentially a long tunic over trousers) which is reserved for special ceremonial occasions. So there you have it, an ethnic style 101 from the streets of Patan.

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[ THE CRAFTS CENTRE ] Pokhara, Nepal

Shops like this are the reason I keep adding to my photographic collection of super bright, ethnic patterned fabrics, clothing and accessories - they make it so easy! I wondered into The Crafts Centre, again on Pokhara's Lakeside area, having been dazzled by the array of coloured weaves and embroidered homeware strategically placed out on the roadside. 

Whilst I'm a big fan of shopping in local markets and bazaars on my travels, I love discovering small, independently owned, fair trade stores like this one that stock hundreds of locally produced, traditional items. You may pay a slightly inflated price for those desirables but, generally, you can leave happy in the knowledge that the local artisans who hand crafted them are getting a fair price. Heed the obvious warnings though and assess the shop by its owner or salesperson - too pushy and you know they're out to make a quick buck, most likely paying under the odds for the goods themselves.  

 

 

The Craft Centre's chirpy owner was happy to take the time to show me around, explaining to me the significance of the symbols embroidered and woven into wall hangings, cushions and bags as well as the location of the villages that produced the unbelievably soft 100% yak wool scarves - perfect Christmas presents!

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[ COLOURFUL MADNESS ] Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Varanasi has to be one of the dirtiest places I’ve ever encountered. I have to say I’m glad this is my last stop in India, not due to the myriad of smells wafting off of cows, dead bodies and coal fires, making this overpopulated city is so damn crazy, but because it has been one of the high points of this four month trip. Why? Because of its absolutely breathtaking, otherworldly appeal, It's ability to shock, wow, anger, frustrate, excite, upset, and provoke a strange fondness all in one day.

Thriving off the waters of holy ‘Mother Ganga’, the millions of inhabitants of Varanasi come to its banks to bathe, pray, watch, float, work and even die (yes there were definitely some dead bodies floating down that river). Perhaps, if I were to be so bold, I may even pronounce that this enchanting yet often foul and potentially health threatening (!) city of Varanasi is the REAL INDIA. The juxtaposition of grime and dirt against the vivid hues of sunset orange of the holly men and the vermillion red, paisley printed saris of the ladies doing their daily laundry on the ghats is enough to satisfy anyone's lens, even if the monsoon seasons complete lack of decent light renders your photos a little, well, standard. 



Check out the guy in his USA flag printed towel - even surrounded by all the oddities of Varanasi, even he still manages to stand out (just like our Japanese friends at the Taj!).

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