In aid of China's current 11 gold lead at the London Olympics (still rooting for you Team GB!!), I thought we'd give them a bit of a shout out with these intricately illustrated postcards I picked up whilst visiting the tiny, highly picturesque village of Xidi (西递), Anhui province,last October. Long time in posting, I'm well aware, but scanning gets a little difficult during a life on the road... I don't possess the ability to read Mandarin so I can't be certain which towns the artworks represent but they certainly bring to mind the charming canal town of Tongli (同里) which lies in Wujiang county, just outside the more well known city of Suzhou (苏州). Which postcard is your favourite?
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.
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!
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.
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!
Like thousands of other women here and across the Atlantic, I have a bit of a girl crush on Leandra Medine, akaThe Man Repeller. But now there's but another justification for such crushing in the shape of ethnic style eyes. Confused? Yes, thought you might be. Well, to better explain, The Man Repeller teamed up for a second time earlier this year with New York based design duo, sisters Danielle and Jodie Snyder, Aka Dannijo. Their collaborative 'eyes' for fashion culminated in, well, just that actually. A line of super summery, neon crystal and beaded rings, necklaces, earrings and of course, the coveted arm parties (that's a load of bracelets for those unbeknownst). Totally in tune with this seasons ethnic/tribal trends, they paraded their Mr Dannijo 'Eye Spy' collection round New York posing for the above featured lookbook, shot by Naomi Shon. And to tip it all off, Dannijo has partnered with a Rwandan women’s cooperative who hand-make all of the labels packaging under ethical conditions whilst being paid a fair wage. Eye say!
Enough of the puns. Go visit DANNIJO to eye up afforementioned arm parties et al.
The sun is shining, I'm sun basking in my garden, and with my current ethno-bo style spirit still in full swing I couldn't think of a better piece of style inspiration for the coming weekend spent lounging lazily in the country, sipping Pims in the long grass and cooling feet in crystal streams. I love this new lookbook by Californian boho rock chick brand Novella Royale. One time accessory designer turned full-scale fashion star Mary Meyers' has ticked off the top 3 boho must haves: super pretty Indian paisley prints, my recent re-lust obsession: crochet, and to vamp it up whilst still keeping that soft focus hippie vibe: lace-up suede. Here's to a dreamy bohemian English summer (lets just hope it holds out)!
If you've also just fallen head over heels for Novella Royale, you can shop the collection here or view their blog here.
In aid of China's current 11 gold lead at the London Olympics (still rooting for you Team GB!!), I thought we'd give them a bit of a shout out with these intricately illustrated postcards I picked up whilst visiting the tiny, highly picturesque village of Xidi (西递), Anhui province, last October. Long time in posting, I'm well aware, but scanning gets a little difficult during a life on the road... I don't possess the ability to read Mandarin so I can't be certain which towns the artworks represent but they certainly bring to mind the charming canal town of Tongli (同里) which lies in Wujiang county, just outside the more well known city of Suzhou (苏州). Which postcard is your favourite? 
