The Maasai
If someone asks you very quickly to mention a popular tribe from Africa, I bet the Maasai will definitely be one of the answers. Yes, the Maasai are among the most well known African ethnic groups, due to their distinctive customs, exquisite and exotic style. In my own words, I call their style 'Static Vogue', simply because it is fashionable and timeless.
This tribe is partly located in Northern Tanzania, in the Arusha region (also known as the land of Mount Kilimanjaro), and in southern Kenya.
The Maasai have been without a doubt a source of inspiration to the fashion industry from magazine covers to fashion photoshoots.
The Masai inspiration is seen on runways across the world with well known fashion designers, like Mathew Williamson, John Galliano, Thacoon, and many others. Their traditional off shoulder cloaks and wraps define the word vogue to me, not to mention their use of vibrant colours of red, blue and all sorts of stripy and checked woven fabrics.
The young lady in blue only requires a pair of heels and she's set for the runway!
Thacoon autumn/winter collection 2011
Maasai are also best known
for their beautiful beadwork which plays an essential element in the
ornamentation of their body both men and women.
Smiling Masai women and their lovely beads!
Mathew Williamson's beaded waistcoat at the Design Museum London, Summer 2008
Photograph: Anna Luks
Mathew Williamson's spring 2008 ethnic inspired collection (Style.com)
In 1997, Galliano took classic Dior themes and spun them together with exotic African Maasai tribal forms to create silk evening dresses accented with colourful beaded
Christian Dior haute couture, Galiano's first spring/summer collection 1997. Model wearing a beaded choker neckless
Source:
http://lavera-photo-stories.com/?p=1672
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Masai_women.jpg
http://www.elle.com/Runway/Ready-to-Wear/Fall-2011-RTW/THAKOON/THAKOON#mode=base;slide=0;
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Masai_women.jpg
http://www.elle.com/Runway/Ready-to-Wear/Fall-2011-RTW/THAKOON/THAKOON#mode=base;slide=0;
