The origins of tribal fashion can be attributed to more than
8,000 years of amalgamating ethnic roots and cultural diversity; all united
under the common theme of celebrating the human body. Various tribes from
Africa, India, and South America all share a characterization of connecting
spirituality with its physical vessel, and this can be seen through ornaments,
tattoos, clothing, and rituals that glorify physique.
Keeping this ethos for “love of the body” in mind, another
unifying theme for clothing within the “tribal” movement is based on elements
such as climate conditions and its connectivity to their natural
environment. Established fashion houses
have been known to get inspiration from the tribal theme, and collections from
these design studios have come to incorporate cultural inspirations from a
worldwide selection.
Tribal clothing is mostly associated with “music festival”
and “Bohemian” wear. With its bold colors, tribal fashion brings a sense of
vibrancy and exotic tones, incorporated to “Western” attires. Style icons have released lines of jewelry,
bags, and clothing with designs infused with bold prints, beads, stones, and
dyes. This goes to show that fashion
inspirations can be drawn from anywhere, with aesthetical boundaries simple
undergoing a process of deconstruction, infusion, and assimilation.
Photography by Carlo Cayabyab
Keeping it real.- PJV