Ankara

Dutch Wax

The Ankara fabric, formerly referred to as Dutch Wax from Holland, is a vibrant, eye-catching print worn in parts of Africa, namely Nigeria, Togo, Ghana and several other countries.  The fabric was originally made as a knock-off of Indonesian batik fabrics by VLISCO.  It never actually ended up really competing with the fabric it tried to be, instead it found its own market in Africa. Because the Dutch were not the colonizers of the Nigerian delta and surrounding area, it was more socially acceptable to trade with them, which allowed the fabric to catch on in the area.  It was adopted for frequent use as a clothing textile because let's face it, its pretty. 

Wax fabric is still frequently used for clothing in parts of Africa and internationally.  Not only does the VLISCO company produce it, but a wide variety of other companies in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Nigeria, Ghana, China and other textile-producing countries.

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Ankara Fashion via L.A.M.B.

Elle Varner

VLISCO's Frozen Dreams series

The Men's Edition

Guayabera and Barong Tagalog

If you're from or visited South Florida, Texas, Mexico, South America, Caribbean, Africa and/or Filipines then the Guayabera and Barong Tagalog is old news; however, for the rest of us, the ignorance is over. We're not going to go into the history of these shirts, but rest assured each side claims they influenced the other.

It doesn't matter because both styles are perfect for hot, humid weather and considered formal wear-be it a presidential shindig to a wedding! We'e leaning to the Barong Tagalog because of the intricate thread work (yes, a bias to thread work). The Guayabera is nice and utilitarian with those handy pockets (up to four), plus we've seen enough of them from the I-4 corridor to Miami, Florida for them to be ho-hum.

So, if a guy doesn't want to don the coat and tie on a hot, humid day, or any hot day, then opt for the Guayabera or Barong Tagalog, nice slacks and polished shoes, and you can't go wrong!

Long sleeve Guayabera for a wedding

The Guayabera looks good on any ethnicity!

Short sleeve Guayabera

Barong Tagalog

Men and Women version of the Barong Tagalog

Barong Tagalog

Intricate needlework on the
Barong Tagalog

Oh My Kimono!

The Kimono Passion

If asked what started my passion for ethnic wear, there will be three words in no particular order: dashiki, saree and kimono. Don't know where this innate passion comes from because it wasn't inspired by television, movies or books, and I grew up in a southern university town where casual was/is the norm.  

So, I come to the kimono. There was a really, really sweet woman I knew growing up, and she wore the kimono from time to time, and it made her look unreal, almost goddess-like in my young eyes. The clothing became alive: it moved, it breathed, it has colour, it made the wearer comfortable. I never forgot, and thankfully, it fueled my passion for ethnic finery.  

Sorry for the rambling. I present to you the kimono.

love the long swinging sleeves of the furisode

Tokyo Fashion Week 2010

The Men's Edition

Nehru Jacket

The Nehru jacket is a hip-length tailored coat for men or women, with a mandarin collar, and its front modeled on the South Asian achkan or sherwani, an apparel worn by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 1964. However, unlike the achkan, which falls somewhere below the knees of the wearer, the Nehru jacket is not only shorter, but also, in all respects other than the collar, resembles the suit jacket. Nehru, notably, never wore the Nehru jacket himself.

The apparel was created in India in the 1940s as Band Gale Ka Coat (Hindi/Urdu: "Closed Neck Coat") and has been popular on the Indian subcontinent since, especially as the top half of a suit worn on formal occasions.

Source

The jacket that started it all for me!

To me Indians are not afraid of colours!

Beadwork

African Influences

Small and beautiful, beads are one of the most versatile and expressive art mediums. For thousands of years across the continent of Africa, beads were prestigious trade items that were used in masquerades, shrines and royal regalia and as adornment for the body. In each of these contexts, beads have had a primary role in communicating complex ideas about religion, aesthetics, and social and political status. 

Source

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. 

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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.