The Men's Edition

Kente 

Kente cloth has its origin with the Ashanti Kingdom, and was adopted by people in Ivory Coast and many other West African counties. It is an Akan royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance and was the cloth of kings. Over time, the use of kente became more widespread. However, its importance has remained and it is held in high esteem with Akans.

The icon of African cultural heritage around the world, Akan kente is identified by its dazzling, multicolored patterns of bright colors, geometric shapes, and bold designs. 

source

Baby Wear

Ethnic Baby Wear. Does It Exist?

Well, looks like someone can make a living if they decided to do ethnic clothing for babies in the United States. Sure there are onesies with cute sayings, but what do you do if you don't want the onesies. You're out of "luck" unless you know how to sew. I see that the Scottish have a firm grasp of  kilts for little ones.  Too precious.

Please steer me in the right direction!  Where are ethnic clothes for babies?

These little ones are too adorable.

Jewelry

Hand chains

Hand chains a.k.a. handharness are an obsession. To be honest, I have mixed feeling about rings (yes, I do wear a thumbring), and I do adore my bangles; however, those bangles can be a bit noisy with the constant clinking. Well, there's a happy middle ground courtesy of India and Arabic tribes: hand chains or hand harness.  In my opinion, hand chains are universal-many cultures may have a version of it, but the focus is on India's hand chains. India's hand chains are part of a brides attire, and worn casually.  There are a few examples below that celebrate hand chains.

Manish Arora Creation

A Few Changes

New Schedule

With a busy life, it's hectic to post five days a week, and the weekend, hah! So starting next week,  Tuesdays and Thursdays will be days of posting. Mondays will have various posts (women, children, jewelry and home), and Fridays will be the Men's Edition. Hey, I enjoy working on the Men's Edition!

Thank you!

The Men's Edition

Dhoti, Lungi and Sarong, Oh My!

Outside of Western cultures, male clothing includes skirts and skirt-like garments. One common form is a single sheet of fabric folded and wrapped around the waist, such as the dhoti in India, and the Lungi and sarong in South/Southeast Asia. 

India's Finery

Salwar Kameez

Also spelled shalvar kameez, shalwar kameez, or shalwar qameez, is a traditional dress worn by both women and men in South Asia and specially Pakistan and India. It is sometimes known as "Punjabi suit," in Britain and Canada. Shalwar or salwar are loose pajama-like trousers. The legs are wide at the top, and narrow at the ankle. The kameez is a long shirt or tunic. 

When women wear the salwar kameez, they usually wear a long scarf or shawl called a dupatta around the head or neck. For Muslim women, the dupatta is an alternative to the burqa. For Sikh and Hindu women the dupatta is useful when the head must be covered, as in a Gurdwara or a temple, or the presence of elders. For other women, the dupatta is simply a stylish accessory that can be worn over one shoulder or draped around the chest and over both shoulders.

Source

Passion for Shoes

Paduka of India

These are shoes with an interesting history. I have a some in leather (not a fan of leather, so I can't wait for a vegetarian alternative-wood anyone) and will say they are super comfortable. At first, I wasn't too sure about a post between the toes, but once on it was a "WOW" moment.

Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

The Men's Edition

Of Sherwanis and Nehru Jackets

I do not undertand why sherwanis (which are more for formal and wedding occasions) and Nehru jackets are not worn more often by Indian actors at events? Maybe they are but the cameras usually catch some man thown into ill fitting jeans, open shirt and brown sandals. 

In my humble opinion, many Indian actors do not know how to properly wear blue jeans and button down shirts. They look like poor lost swingers from the 1970s and 80s. I really want to post the offenders, but there are too many out there.

By the way, Thursdays shall be dedicated to men's ethnic wear because there's more to life than blue jeans and t shirts.

What other suit can a man wear with intricate embroidery
and strands of pearls?

Thinking of Fall

Preeti S Kapoor

If this doesn't make you think of fall, I don't know what will work.  I will admit that I tolerate, no, hate summer, oh please, I was born in the summertime!  But there is something about fall. This outfit says fall: flow of the fabrics, earthy colours, and the beadwork. And let's not overlook the bare feet. Perfect.

Do You Henna?

Henna/Mehndi Art

I'm not into tattoos for two reasons: one, they are permanent, and two, my tastes change from day to day. So a tattoo would be a very, very bad idea.  What can one do when they want a tattoo but not the committment?  Simply henna/mehndi Art.

Strictly speaking for myself, it's the best thing to have for someone that can go from preppy to boho chic to bag lady all in one day.

Besides, it adds a beautiful ethnic flair to whatever one wears.  Of course, the biggest decision would be is if they want an Arabic or Indian henna design. Oh, such decisions!

Ethnic Women Designers

Southeast Asia's Goldmine

This is purely my thoughts on this subject, so I'm going out on a limb to say this:  Southeast Asia (more specifically India) has a stupendous amount of female designers. The more I look into India's fashion houses, the more women designers I find, and it is fantastic!

Sadly, in my humble opinion, American and Western European women designers are not at the forefront, they exist but it's hard to name a few. Sure, there are celebrities with clothing lines, think Gwen Stephanie of No Doubt, but men dominate.

So it's quite refreshing to see so many prominent women designers flying solo or part of a team like: Neeta Lulla, Ritu Kumar, Ritu Beri, Rabani & Rakha, to name just a few.

Neeta Lula

Ritu Kumar ©Viral Bhayani

Rabani+Rakha

WAFRICA

African Prints + Japanese Kimonos

If you haven't seen these designs, then where have you been hiding! These designs are from the Serge Mouangue.  Visit the website to relish the fusion of African and Japa, and learn the fascinating history of how this came together.