• Fashion
May 19, 2012 7:30 AM EDT
0
What Fashion's "Ethnic" Prints Are Really Called

By

Fullscreen

4 of 9

tapa-final

Tapa Print — Native to the Pacific Islands, tapa cloth is made from bark and is painted, stenciled, stamped, smoked, and dyed to create abstract animal designs, geometric shapes, and patterns. Usually distinguished for its red, black, and tan colors and tropical motifs, it's a cloth that was traditionally given as gifts and worn on formal occasions in many Pacific islands.

Photo: Courtesy of Mood Fabrics/Photographed by Guang Xu; Delia's Ethnic High-Low Skirt, $39.50, available at Delia's.

Related Stories

Month of Style Stars
18_PromiseSmith_opener
Refinery29 TV
Street Fashion Jail Stripes, Studs, & Charms: Seoul Shows Us How It's Done opener
More Style At Your Fingertips