From Bighorn to Burma

On the way to our overnight stay we stopped off at the Hillary’s Boat Harbour market and visited le Hatchery’s stall. I purchased the oh-so-soft and luxurious “Capri” dress in charcoal – perfect for over bathers in the summer. It has raw tassles running down each side.

I have to disclose a guilty pleasure ... I am irresistibly attracted to American Indian paraphernalia. I haven’t succumbed to a dream catcher or decorative velvet carpet just yet but I am fascinated by the culture and have a number of vintage tee shirts in this vein.

When I first found out as a child that I had Indian heritage my heart gave a little flutter at the thought of being an American Indian. For a few seconds I was transported to the mid-west desert plains adorned in suede and feathers.I was a little disheartened, truth be told, when my mother had to explain that our ancestors were from Burma, not Bighorn. 

As a result of this fantasy I used to wander around the house with a pair of mum’s silk stockings on my head, which I would weave, into a long braid. I am unsure if I ever went public with this look. If I did, it never caught on in the school yard.

But the fascination remains. I have an amazing pair of mocassins that I found in a vintage shop in Osaka some years back and when I feel brave and creative I wear them.

I’ve noticed that the humble moccasin is revived every few seasons or so. Garance Dore just wrote about her pair recently on her blog. So from Paris to little ol' Perth the zeitgeist is in motion!