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My thoughts of the future

Modern Evolution

Africa

Papa New Guinea

Mountain-region Native

Highland Native

Lower-Land Native

Each headdress represents a different area of where and how one society lives. Because the island of New Guinea is a vast range of weather from the highlands, mountains and lowlands, different materials are going to be utilized to make a statement, namely framing the face. Different birds of paradise feathers are used, different animals claws and teeth are found, different textures of plant fibers are used as well with different seeds, plant material and minerals are used to paint the face and body. There is also body piercing associated with the total look of using a ceremonial headdress. Some have tusks of animals, others feathers, some with stakes of specific woods. Since they are in a tropical area of the world, the colors are going to bright and full with a lot of variety of what the construction 0f each headdress will take on.

The Americas

Native Americans of N. America

Mayan

Aztec

Russia

The Orient

The Orient has the most diverse of culture traits, but all have similar relations as to why one would have a headdress. All use elements that take to most time to create, use the most precious and most rare of ingredients to make them with, the are to fashion certain designs and insignia takes an artisan to craft it and only the wealth, of nobility or high social ranking have it. It is an image of beauty, propriety and a figure head of what is and what should be the essence of a people in the display of one individual.

Thailand

This gold crown worn by the Thai, symbolizes a link to the Gods and an embodiment of their power upon the one who wears it. It is a gold inlay hat with rubies, sapphires, emeralds and other semi-precious stones. Not only does it represent the wealth of its people, but it connects the bearer to the Gods. Therefore, allowing the ruler to have strength beyond their own to rule in such a way to protect the authenticity of who they represent.
Korea

The Queen of Korea stood for all that was pure and innocent. She was the most decorated of the two rulers. The gold and iron wire paddles, the jade and other precious metals all had a specific duty of its own. Some gems where to inspire good luck and fortune. Others were to ward of evil and some was the family crest that she came from and who she represented. Of all the skin that is seen, it is her face that one will remember. There is so much grandeur, that any who look upon her will remember the awe they felt and the beauty of her face.

Japan

Japan valued perfection in look, sturcture and the asthetic of a womans hair, especially a woman of high ranking. It was uncomfortable to do ones hair, laced in hot wax to hold its form and charcoal to keep the color bold. Different combs of jewels and flowers and sandalwood pikes to decorate the hair gave her a natural perfume and beauty. Purity and grace was important here as well, but displayed differently.

China

The Phoenix Crown of the Tang Dynasty also embodied the grace of a woman in Chinese culture. Purity, strength, everlasting beauty and a light of inspiration. The blue was made of Kingfisher feathers with pearls, rubies and gold dragons. The Kingfisher feathers were only allowed to be wore by the Queen because its feathers color would not fade easily over time. It kept its color for long periods of time, therefore granting such power to the wearer, everlasting longevity.

The Isles of the Sea

Samoa

This is the Tuiga. A feather headdress only worn by the nobles of the court and a special one made was only worn by the King of the islands to represent the unity of the all the noble families. This was made out of coconut, palm shoots, coral, abalone shells, mother of pearl and the Mai Savisa bird. It was also made of human hair that was taken from conquered rivals. It was a symbol of power and rank. The man or woman would have equal chance of having rank. It was only worn during ceremonies and weddings. It was an extension to the body and framed the face.

Hawaii

Once the islands of Hawaii had be united under a single banner of power by King Kamehameha in the early 1400's, the feathered helmet and robe of feather went hand in hand to distinguish your class of warrior or peasant. The Hawaiians had purposely selected certain traits to distinguish their class among warriors and peasants. The warrior class were also politicians, religious leaders and apart of the Kings court. The yellow feathers of a particular bird was only allowed to be worn by the warrior class. Women would wear necklaces of hair of conquered rivals with a whales tooth to keep the threads of hair together.

Tahiti

Tahiti was a warring nation among its neighboring islands. The people were known for their fast movement of their hips and dancing practices. They flourished in rich amounts of animal life and resources.

New Zealand

Tibet

Tibet, a province of the Republic of China has always been excluded from the mainstream. It has embodied the beauty and grace of Buddhist culture and following the dictations of the Dahlia Lama. Since Tibet was often forgotten about, they created a culture rich of religious and cultural ideals. Coral, turquoise, jade, silver and other semi precious stones separated the rich from the poor, the powerful to the least.

Here are examples of how each family represented their wealth and status among different communities. Each member of the community was important and each had a particular role to attend to. They also had duty to their sovereign of sorts. The headdresses covered most of the body and were only woren on special occassions and ceremonies. You could imagine how heavy this piece would be.

Egypt

From the ancient Egyptians, framing the face, having extentions of the body, enhancements of the body and attatchments have been an essential part of their headdresses. Evolving from cloth to extensions of human hair and embedded jewels and metal in-lay has brought about the most famous of headdresses...The Pharoah and his Queen.

The early Egyptians would shave all their hair off, wear wigs, and wear ornate patterns of cotton, metal hair pieces and feathers. Some colors, design and insignia were deemed only to the royals. The vulture and the cobra was an insignia that was only wore together by Pharoah. His wife was only allowed to wear the vulture regularly and at times, the cobra for ceremonial purposes, as both symbols meant the unification of both lower and upper egypt.

Only the royal family had full headdresses, no one else was allowed to wear them. The expense to make them and the mere duty that Pharoah was a God, made it so. Only diety was allowed to cover his head, that all may remember his face and his power.

In the Beginning

Who we are as a people, as a society has always been very important. Society has always been placed the importance of rank, propriety, talent and skill upon those who have been able to do almost the impossible. Though, it is human nature to divide one from another, to separate into different classes that best fit who they are who they are expected to be. One major way that such division among people has taken place is by dress, particularly headdresses and head pieces.

It is of no consequence that such things have become a mainstream part of our lives. From as early as the Egyptians to the modern day being, people have always divided themselves from the rest of the public. Whether it be for political reasons, birth rights, religious behavior or to show off wealth, people have always had some form of headdress.

The World and Its Headdress

It is important to understand that dress, fashion and textile design is an important part of our lives. Dress has defined, sculpted and shaped the very essence of who we are today as a culture.

It is by such things that run our society, like dress, customs, techonology and ideals. It is important to learn of the past that the future may be bright for all of us.

I would like to elaborate on the importance of one piece of dress that has been around since the beginning of man and will continue to be with us as long as people continue to remain human, the Headdress.