Wednesday, October 15, 2008

uh! with your bad self!

Like Native American-inspired fashion, this post has the potential to come across as insensitive, and I want to stress that I don't intend to belittle or trivialize that civil rights struggle at all, quite the opposite. I'm deeply sorry if this offends anyone, that is ridiculously far from my intention.


A fashion piece I've been in love with lately is the dashiki. Originating in Africa, the dashiki had its place in the civil rights struggle of the 1960's.

It signified a return to roots and black pride. Clearly it has a lot of cultural significance for those of African descent, and, while I can see why some black people would have a problem with white people wearing them, I see wearing one as a sign of respect and appreciation.

Nicola and I both have beautiful dashikis; hers is a rich blue and mine is red and when we wear them at the same time, we couldn't possibly look more rad.
Nicola also used to be selling two amazing dashikis in her store, though they've both sold (and there's the infamous Kayla Hyne modelling them - she works the dashiki nicely, does she not? Kind of makes you want to...videotape yourself chanting her name?)
Right now there are for sale on etsy.com some beautiful dashikis:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_1&listing_id=12370119

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_5&listing_id=16047768

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_12&listing_id=14384563

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_6&listing_id=13082643

And if you need a tad more convincing, look how fantastic Sharon Tate looks in hers:

Sold.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

oo love this actually

Eyeliah said...

I own one and have no idea how to pull it off, perhaps putting it back on ebay is a good idea.

this wheel's on fire said...

i love mine & none of my black friends have a problem with me wearing it. maybe older generations would have a problem (and i can see why they would), but i think our generation is evolving so it's not too offensive.
love these pictures!!

Keith said...

I think they look great. Those were some wonderful pictures. I've always found them to be quite beautiful. Most of my black friends have them, plus quite a few of my white friends do as well. I've never heard any of my black friends complain about it. I think they are really nice.

Female Action Star said...

Awww thanks so much for checking out the blog. Yours is also very amazing and relatable nice pics and your actually saying something! Well catch u around. Thanks again

Sister Libby said...

I love them. And I would totally wear one if I had one. So...therefore, maybe I should get one. You have such good taste.

Jaclyn said...

Those are all so beautiful. I love all the different colours.
Belle

Isabel said...

OHMIGOD MOLLY! HOW ARE YOU?

P.S. -Love dashikis. :)

AsianCajuns said...

Oh I love these- and you guys look gorgeous in them! I'm going to etsy now.

Secretista said...

Dashikis are all over my house. We have a ton of them. They are similar to the Nigerian traditional wear.

A Black Tie Event said...

I love them, they're so beautiful! I want one.

hannah said...

i love dashikis. they are so wonderful.

Ladybird said...

They are beautiful!

Siru said...

Strange and interesting!

juliet xxx

jules said...

I am sold. I love your blog girly.

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness - I was just scouring ebay for a dashiki! Your post couldn't have come at a more perfect time. And the pictures you posted are wonderful!