We had a fascinating talk and a most enjoyable afternoon with Diane when she talked about costume for special occasions from Java, Bali and Northern Thailand. There were weddings, Court , Temple and street ceremonies – all shown with our new digital projector, which is really proving it’s worth as most speakers now seem to bring a laptop or memory stick with all their photographs.
The printed batiks, amazing patterns and colour were a main feature of the talk, with some really incongruous sights – like a little girl from the Hmong tribe in Northern Thailand, having her school lunch and dressed in a beautifully embroidered and patterned top with a pair of jogging bottoms and plastic sandals!! Also a group of men from Bali at a street ceremony all wearing red T-shirts with the word PECALANG printed in white on their backs and over their traditional long ‘skirt’. Diane explained that the word means SECURITY and they were the crowd control for a street ceremony!!
After the slideshow we then got to handle and even try on some of the fantastic collection of items that Diane had brought with her and here are some pictures.
One of the beautiful Batiks from Java
Sue – our (joint) Chairman in all the finery of the Hmong tribe – love the T-shirt, necklace and badges, but having seen the items they put together I’m sure they would be more than pleased to do the same.
Top view of the lampshade (sorry – hat!) she is wearing.
Detail of her skirt – very finely pleated with hand stitching mainly in cross stitch.
A man’s ceremonial hat – for Court ceremony.
Karen our Programme secretary in a very grand gold embroidered jacket and holding a pair of matching slippers. Would make a nice item for evening wear maybe.
AND FINALLY - I just couldn’t resist this one – John our official photographer is always ‘snapping’ away when we least expect it , and I for one like to make sure it’s my best side (!!) when I am photographed so I am not always best pleased !!!!!
SO JOHN this is just for you – we just had to get our own back, so on the catwalk now is John Clark wearing a skirt and pinny!!!!!
Finished off with a natty little hat – it really suits you and I’m sure you would fit in with the best of them in Java. Thanks John for being a good sport.
