Ikat
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| Ikat Printed Cushions & Vogue Living's Homage to Ikat |
I would be lying if I said Ikat was making a comeback, because it has never really gone out of fashion. However I've noticed in the pass couple of years how much more popular they are in the fashion and design industry.
Ikat means to tie (it's actually a Malay/Indonesian word) and is the method of weaving that uses a resist dying process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft fibres (thank you wikipedia!). You can find Ikat all over the world, from India to Columbia, Indonesia to Japan and Uzbekistan to Guetamala, and its style varies widely.
Many design motifs have ethnic, ritual and a spiritual meaning to it and because of the amount of time and skill involved in weaving ikat, some cultures believe the cloth is imbued with magical powers. However, nowadays because of its demand, it's usually made for exporting so I doubt you'll get any voodoo from it.
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| Large Hand Woven Ikat Cushions & Silk Ikat Pencil Skirt |
Anyway, if you are looking for some Ikat pieces to add a touch of culture to your home or wardrobe check out Table Tonic (an Australian website that sells global treasures) and Banana Republic for that beautiful pencil skirt above. Only thing about Ikat you should keep in mind is that it shouldn't be cheap (if it is, it wont last long) and too much of it can be quite overwhelming, so please try avoid Ikat cushions with Ikat throws with Ikat printed wallpaper...
Oh! And if you want to try your hand (DIY) at an Ikat print on a cushion, click here to find out more!
