June 2015 – Haute Culture

Thank you to everyone who completed Haute Culture’s online survey, I’m so greatfull. Your feedback is so important to me as it aids me deliver more of the exciting and interesting content that your actually here to see. If you still want to have your say click here, it only takes a couple of minuets.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that 60% of Haute Culture’s readers would love to see our very own online shop! This got me seriously thinking that selling tribal trinkets collected along my adventures through South East Asia (and beyond) is a bona fide excellent concept. Ideas are still in the generation stage and there is no shortage of inspiration, but the plan is to sell original, unique, handmade cultural and ethnic jewellery from each country and tribe I visit. This is both a practical (in a space saving backpacker kinda way) and profitable way to fund the Haute Culture project over the coming years.

So stay tuned in as my full time escapades begin in less than 2 months time. I hope to have a online shop up and running by the end of August! In the interim here’s some inspirational ethnic adornments to inspire your imagination.

Fulani Man West Africa

Datoga Woman Tanzania

Photo credits: Fulani Man, Datoga Woman

Jabal Nafusa, Libya (2005) by James Leggate

Drokpa lady, Ladakh, India.

Photo Credits: Jabal Nafusa, Drokpa Lady

Nagaland tribes woman, India

Bonda tribe, Orissa, India

Photo credits: Nagaland tribes woman, Bonda woman

Tibetan Costume

Maasai Tribal Girls

Photo credits: Tibetan Man, Maasai Girls

Last month Vogue published Tim Walker and Karen Elson’s epic expedition into the Kingdom of Bhutan. The editorial explores the striking Himalayan scenery, astonishing Asian architecture and the colourful composition of the countries rich cultural costumes.

Titled “The Land of Dreamy Dreams” the shoot explores a folkloric journey into the wilderness of the beautiful Bhutanese landscape. Couture collections from Céline, Loewe, Prada & Valentino are theatrical styled by Kate Phelan to embrace the drama of the costumes worn in the Cham dances of the monthly Tscheu festivals.

Traditionally part of Tibetan Buddhism (where the Tscheu festivals are now banned), the Bhutanese festivals are large religious social gatherings held on the 10th day of every lunar month. Seen as a form a meditation, Cham dances are performed by Buddhist monks who chant sacred mantras from beneath their costumes. Different dances tell the tales of local gods, myths and legends and are caricatured through garish, comical and often horrifying costumes and masks.