Ivatan Weedrobe

Another eco-wearable made from plant materials such as grass is the "Vakul", a traditional headdress of the Ivatan ( inhabitants of Batanes, the northernmost islands province of the Philippines). However, unlike the ephemeral "weedrobes" made from plant materials, the vakul is a functional creation meant as a protective gear from nature's elements like sun and rain. Abaca fibers and cogon grass are the typical plant materials
woven to create this quaint eco-friendly wearable.

Below: Typical Ivatan women wearing the traditional vakul headdress

length reaches down to the backside and shelters farmers from the heat and rain.

Batanes Location Map:

Batanes Islands as it is composed of ten islands and islets, the province of Batanes is located between the Babuyan Islands and Taiwan. It is known for being the smallest (in terms of population and land area) and the northernmost province of the Philippine archipelago.

Even though it is constantly swept by wind and rain because it lies along the typhoon belt, Batanes has stood tall and remained as one of the most beautiful and culturally rich provinces in the Philippines.
The Ivatans of today, whose dialect is also called Ivatan (another dialect is Ichbayaten, spoken primarily by dwellers of Itbayan island), are believed to be the descendants of the Austronesians who migrated to Batanes about 4,000 years ago.

WEEDROBES: Green Wearables!

Eco-artist Nicole Dextras is taking green fashion a step further with her intricately woven Weedrobes made from real plants!
A real treat for the eyes, Nicole’s work was recently on display at the Richard Levy Gallery in Albuquerque New Mexico.

"Weedrobes is a series of ephemeral sculptures linking our dysfunctional relationship to both our bodies and the environment. It points the concept of environmental art into the realm of the body as politic and the hegemony of the fashion industry.

These eco-wearables are made from live plant materials such as leaves, flowers and branches and their organic structure indicates a symbiotic relationship between the body and the land. They question our attitudes toward territorial dominance, societal status and sexual identity" - Nicole Dextas

Amazing works of art. Would definitely love to see myself wearing a green-inspired costume one of these days.

CAMELLIA COUNTESSA
Camellia Flowers, Lilac Flowers, Yucca Leaves, Laurel Leaves, and Thorns.

YUCCA PROM DRESS
Yucca Leaves and Flowers, Thorns.

Eco-man wears a suit made from Laurel, Magnolia and Yucca leaves assembled with Hawthorns which were harvested from the local urban environment.

CRAB APPLE GOWN

Crab Apples, Kale Leaves, Thorns and Hemp Thread.

CABBAGE SMOCK
Red and Green Cabbages, Gunnera Leaves, Green Beans, and Thorns.

SUNDAY BEST
Laurel Leaves, Rosehips, Various Leaves and Thorns.

HYDRANGEA TOURNURE
Hydrangea Flowers, Magnolia Leaves, Laurel Leaves, and Thorns.

CABBAGE SHOES
These cabbage shoes might not be suitable for walking, but certainly are an interesting gift for any Imelda Marcos’s you might know

(Photo Credits: Nicole Dextras)

Venice Carnival (Carnevale)

(A random collection of pictures from the Venice Carnival )

One of the most well-known international festivals, the Venice Carnival is a festival of colorful mask. The streets of Venice are full with people in masks. The Venetian Carnival still follows the traditional way of celebration