Influence of African tribal fashion on the main stream fashion

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African tribal fashion, African tribes, apparels, Burundi tribe, colors, Donna Karen, fabric, fashion blog, fashion history, freelance fashion designer, garments, Indian Tribes, Masai tribe, Stell Jean, Teke tribe, trends, Venda tribe, Wadaabe tribe, Zulu tribe

Africa is one of those places that are still well known for their various tribes that are present in the continent. Just like India, Africa has also become an inspiration for designers to come up with new designs, styles and prints that symbolize these tribes.

According to history, the early African clothing was pieced together from art, oral histories and traditions that are still practiced by the present day tribal members. Men usually didn’t wear any clothing and instead chose to decorate their bodies with paints or scars. When they did wear, it mostly consisted of animal skins and bark clothes.

(Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/P1lGgU , http://goo.gl/P2GG7G , http://goo.gl/K919QM , http://goo.gl/BT5oIe)

Women on the other hand, are dressed according to their marital status. Women wear clothes made out of beads if they were unmarried to reveal their status, while the married women cover themselves completely.

(Photo Credits:http://goo.gl/7BIfY1 , http://goo.gl/xodmbh , http://goo.gl/bu9vuB )

The animal skin and bark cloth was worn in different way by every tribe. While some draped it, others stitched it on the sides. After the weaving techniques were developed, Raffin, the fiber of a palm plant, and cotton became the most commonly used materials.

There are various designers who have used the African tribes as their inspiration for various collections. Stella Jean being one of them has many collections that have been based on the tribal theme, each collection with their own unique silhouettes and drapes that describe the eccentric designer perfectly.

(Photo Credits: Stella Jean 2013- http://goo.gl/rlpqTD )

Donna Karen presented her interpretation of the tribal print with clean cut beige and black tones that depict the subtle side of tribal prints used in Africa, while Mara Hoffman and Jenny Kee present their style in an explosion of colors combined with minimalist and extravagant usage of accessories respectively.

(Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/SU935v , http://goo.gl/rfNIrP, http://goo.gl/5wPlIu)

To find inspiration, designers have been exploring the ends of the Earth and beyond. They keep exploring continents to discover new cultures and traditions that were unknown off previously, to provide us with something new and exciting every fashion season.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion, the first virtual design studio that caters to new and upcoming fashion design labels with a diverse portfolio of design services. She is a member of the Cherie Blair Foundation’s Women Entrepreneurship Program and has over a decade of fashion industry experience with international labels and start-ups.

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Influence of Indian tribal fashion on the main stream fashion

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apparels, fabric, fashion blog, fashion history, freelance fashion designer, garments, Indian Tribes, trends

The different tribal cultures of India are influencing the fashion world now but it was not until recently when nothing momentous was been done to harness that culture. Well, not unless the foreigners started the ‘tribal movement’ by using tribal prints of different countries including India’s in their designs. Their immense popularity worldwide gave the Indian designer’s the wake up call to acknowledge it and bring them to the home audiences. Adding multicultural diversity to their catalog helps fashion designers bring something new for their people. Different tribal cultures of India are a mix of wild, nature, art and tradition and thus, is gold to lay hands upon. These dresses have appeal over a large variety of audiences and their assimilating theme enchants people into buying them.

The sassy and beautiful blend of different tribal cultures of India with the modern world gives a glimpse of the new possibilities available. These rich mines of diamonds have so much natural allure hidden in them that they are just like infinite galaxy.

The north-east tribe of India is known for their extraordinary prints and remarkable jewels. Who cannot spot the similarity in these prints and the one above it? True mix of cultures of Different tribal cultures of India with the modern world!

So what makes the different tribal cultures of India so special anyways? Is it their rich history and diversity or anything else? There are practically thousands of tribal prints in India that equals million new ideas to bake upon. These prints drips freshness were welcomed with open arms in the international market. What are your thoughts about the Different tribal cultures of India? Are the blends of the modern and western world enough or there should be more use of these indigenous fashions prints?