Australian-based designer Tina Kalivas is often inspired by faraway cultures and their people, and her current collection—Polyrhythm—mixes recent influences from Afghanistan with a touch of African geometry. Kalivas meticulously folds hand-dyed tribal fabrics into symmetrically printed peplum skirts and structured dresses, turning a tired old trend into one of the best collections of the season.
At the hands of Belgian fashion designer Dries Van Noten, mixed prints and layers of contrasting fabrics somehow make sense when paired with graphic jeweled cuffs and oversized neckpieces. Diane von Furstenberg took a more bohemian approach to the tribal trend for spring—with armfuls of bangles and printed maxi-dresses—while Frida Giannini and Nicolas Ghesquière fell hard for the urban warrior.
Fashion can often feel like a pesky younger sister. They are always stealing your favorite dresses, shoes, and other goodies to make themselves look better. Pastiche is the ultimate fashion asset when it comes to cobbling together what is new and hot. While this makes patent law in fashion pretty tough, we have to admit it brings up some unfortunate issues of cultural ownership. Which is why when Fashion Pad highlights how popular tribal prints are we alternatively say "ohh pretty" and ouch post-colonial. Identity politics aside there are some pretty great choices out there. We just suggest you don't think to hard about authenticity in dress when you pick them out. Otherwise you are liable to feel a smidge burnt out about just who you are and aren't oppressing with that pretty sun-dress.
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