Designed in our 'self-tie' style, allowing it to be worn as long or short as you desire, 'Bohemian Muse' is a contemporary tribal Limited Edition necklace, handcrafted in our Byron Bay studio on the East Coast of Australia... The white leather version of this necklace gives it a fresh, beachy tropical island or coastal luxe feel.
It features:
• Authentic and traditional silver-alloy decorative coin pendants, ghungaroo bell beads, and a cylinder spacer bead from the nomadic gypsy Banjara Tribe of Northern India (see History Menu below). • Clusters of tropical cowrie seashells from East Timor (see History Menu below). • Exotic genuine decorative desert-silver vintage 'alladin' bead and chain pendant, circa 1960s, crafted by hand in Pakistan by the Kuchi People of Afghanistan (see History Menu below). • Turquoise coloured glass beads handmade in Nepal. • Natural, black or brown/tan kangaroo-hide leather from Australia.
At Republic of You we aim to create unique, meaningful and sustainable fashion jewellery supporting the slow fashion movement. We do this by ethically sourcing authentic traditional vintage and collectible desert silver jewelry from tribal villages around the world. We then dismantle these pieces (often too elaborate and heavy to wear in their original state), and recreate them, paring them back, simplifying, fusing old with new, and breathing new life into them, with the end result being a bespoke modern contemporary tribal look suitable for everyday wear. Each and every piece has been crafted by hand, features naturally sourced materials, and is presented to you in a Limited Edition or One-Off, One-Of-A-Kind (OOAK) capacity, with no two pieces being exactly the same due to the genuine vintage (non mass-produced) elements of each. The terms ‘tribal’ and ‘gypsy’ are thrown around haphazardly in fashion circles these days, but few in our fast-fashion generation, made up of social influencers, fashion bloggers and the hoards of people that follow them, understand the cultural significance or origin of this traditional jewellery. Where possible we aim to honor the original artisans by detailing a slice of information about the tribe, region, religious or cultural interpretation, or simply just some interesting folklore pertaining to the piece. The result, our jewelry is not only aesthetically appealing, it becomes an educational and symbolic conversational piece, creating more meaning and greater connection for the wearer. WHOLESALE ACCOUNTS Are you a retail shop or online store interested in buying wholesale? Our eclectic handmade jewelry covers a variety of themes and suit different markets. Our exotic tribal, ethnic gypsy bohemian style, and tropical island / coastal luxe beach style suits not only retail fashion, but also marries beautifully with homewares, interior design and lifestyle stores. Where our urban hipster street style, the skull and cross gothic punk rock aesthetic, suits both men’s and women’s edgy high-end fashion retailers. Please email nicoletta@republicofyou.com.au for all wholesale enquiries.
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE About the Kuchi Tribe: The word Kuchi stems from a Persian word meaning migration. Originating from Afghanistan, the Kuchi People roamed areas along the ancient Silk Road trade routes for an estimated 3000 years. Known as prolific wanderers who migrated over immense distances, this nomadic tribe became masters at trekking to the remotest of areas. Kuchi jewelry often reflects this freedom within its style, using features such as distinctive jingling bells which sound like rain. Since many of these pieces were intended to be worn daily under very rough conditions, they were often boldly crafted of sturdy metal to withstand a rigorous nomadic lifestyle. This may explain why old Kuchi pieces are still available today and in relatively good condition even after decades of rugged wear. It is important to remember this jewellery has traveled untold distances from village to village, and passed from generation to generation. We believe it’s the irregularities in each piece that form part of its charm, heritage, and value. About the Cowrie Shell: Destined to transfer good luck, fortune and material wealth to those in its possession, the cowry shell is considered a deeply spiritual and highly valued object in African culture. The cowrie carries with it the blessing of Moté, ancient deity and goddess of water, also affectionately referred to as ‘Mother of Water’. About the Banjara Tribe: The Banjara People are a collective of nomadic gypsy tribes from Northern India. They are said to be the descendants of the Roma gypsies from Europe who migrated to India through the rugged mountains of Afghanistan and finally settled in Rajasthan. Originally the Banjara’s were bullock transport carriers and builders of great monuments. For centuries they efficiently moved their enormous caravans through the vast roadless tracks of India guaranteeing safe conduct for grain, salt and messages. Due to the nomadic nature of their culture, the Banjara’s traditionally ‘wore’ their wealth thus creating a unique aesthetic, colorful dress and spectacular jewelry quite unlike any other tribe.
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