handmade

Evoking desire, this Ghanaian shawl features checked motifs and stripes in tones of cerise, viridian, and pastel yellow. Rachel Armah creates this shawl, which is handwoven of a rayon and cotton blend in the traditional style of African kente cloth. The artisan combines three strips of the fabric.

Evoking desire, this Ghanaian shawl features checked motifs and stripes in tones of cerise, viridian, and pastel yellow. Rachel Armah creates this shawl, which is handwoven of a rayon and cotton blend in the traditional style of African kente cloth. The artisan combines four strips of the fabric.

Combining shades of pale gray and black, Gobah Tengey-Seddoh creates an outstanding example of kente cloth art. Gray derives its symbolism from ash, used for healing and cleansing rituals. Black represents physical aging and the spiritual maturity it brings. Each strip requires considerable effort, and the looms are worked with both hands and feet. The patterns themselves are carefully chosen symbols, which a master weaver develops and names, often to honor people, historical events or proverbs.

Balinese artisan Dayu Menuhari presents a gorgeous batik scarf diligently crafted by hand. "We don't do any printing or even stamping," she says, "but it's all hand painted and while that makes our production take longer, our products are purely hand-made." Butterflies flit across the rayon scarf's awe-inspiring design in porcelain and geranium hues, which includes a traditional parang pattern at both ends of the accessory. A parang is type of knife, and the use of a parang motif was once reserved solely for Javanese royalty. Fringe on both ends completes the vibrantly-colored wrap scarf.

Woven by hand, traditional West African kente cloth becomes a colorful scarf. Rachel Armah presents a traditional design known as Edwene Si Edwene So. The phrase means "double wisdom as special as gold" in the Akan language. Each strip of kente cloth requires considerable effort, and the looms are worked with both hands and feet. Each color has its own meanings in Asante culture. Green is fertility and new harvest, gold is royalty, black is strength, aging and spirituality, and white is purity.

Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente is woven by hand in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means "basket" in the Ashanti dialect). Ghana's Rachel Armah creates this colorful cotton blend scarf in cheerful shades of blue, pink and cream. The scarf's width allows it to double as a shawl.

In kente cloth, each color has a symbolic meaning: black symbolizes maturation and intensified spiritual energy; blue signifies peacefulness, harmony and love; green symbolizes vegetation, planting, harvesting, growth, and spiritual renewal; gold represents royalty, wealth, high status, glory, and spiritual purity; grey is for healing and cleansing rituals; maroon signifies the color of mother earth, associated with healing; pink and purple are associated with the female essence and female aspects of life; red symbolizes political and spiritual moods, bloodshed, sacrificial rites and death; silver is associated with the moon and represents serenity, purity, and joy; white is for purification, sanctification rites and festive occasions; and yellow represents preciousness, royalty, wealth, fertility, and beauty.

Add magic to your look with this charming maxi dress in a palette of boysenberry, magenta and azure shades. Crafted by Balinese artisans Wayan Arta and Sharon, this bewitching rayon dress features an asymmetrical v-neck and a classic design achieved through traditional batik methods.

Whether draped around your neck, styled as a head wrap or elegantly worn as a shawl, this versatile rayon scarf by Java’s Erna Gendhis is a great addition to complement your looks in any season. It is adorned with intricate hand-drawn batik motifs in a bright palette of sea green, crimson, orange, yellow, black and white hues that dance across the fabric, creating a feast for the eyes. The fabulous fringe accents on both ends add a touch of playful elegance to this unique design.

Relax in the sun in this gorgeous sundress by Indonesian artisan Galuh Kenanga. The beautiful plum dress is decorated with a hand-stamped ash batik print that depicts the beauty of the jasmine flower. In Indonesian traditions, the jasmine is the flower of life and beauty. The sundress features an attractive ruffle design around the elasticated bust and two hidden coconut buttons on the adjustable straps.

Get ready for the garden party of your dreams in this lovely wrap blouse from Balinese artisans Hari and Arthur. Designed from versatile rayon, the blouse features a stunning leaf motif screen printed in calming shades of olive, caramel, light grey, and white. The blouse closes with an elegant tie that cinches around your natural waist.

Bands of green shade from deep forest to pale lime. Working on the backstrap loom, Maya artisans from K'amolon K'i K'ojonel transform rayon made from bamboo fiber into a lightweight handwoven scarf. Lavish fringe trims each end.

The warm colors of autumn leaves are represented in this Thai textile presented to us by Vinita. The elegant orchid motif featured in the corners of this graceful sarong is hand painted using a technique called batik.