Exotic Elegance at Novica

Novica, a project of National Geographic, works to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity:

“We want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow. At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe. We want you to know about who you’re buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.”

Jariya Kakaew

“As a local Thai woman, I’m very proud of the fact that I can have the career that I love, and to be able to provide for myself and my family.”

China Paths Brown	Ebony Melody	Lanna Legend
Thailand Classic Chinese fashions inspire this trendy new design. The blouse is woven of cotton featuring v-neck cut and cuffs, decorated with glyph-like patterns, embroidered in cotton twine that is prepared by hand. Blouse slips over the head.	Jariya Kakaew exalts feminine grace with the design of this blouse. It is sewn of cotton featuring slits at the sides and short sleeves. Melodious patterns of Thai inspiration are embroidered with handmade cotton twine. Also in mahogany, ivory.	An original shawl intended to dress with powerful elegance. It is woven of cotton and features traditional patterns embroidered with cotton twine in a style reminiscent of ancient Lanna.
$27.99 Thailand	$22.95 Thailand	$24.99 Thailand
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China Path White	Thai Sophistication
The blouse is woven of cotton featuring angular borders front and back. The v-neck cut and cuffs are decorated with glyph-like patterns. They are embroidered by hand in cotton twine that is prepared by hand. The blouse slips over the head.	The fashions of yore inspire this trendy new design. The pleated wrap around is woven of cotton and ties with a drawstring. Its glyph-like patterns are embroidered by hand of cotton twine that is prepared by hand.
$29.95 Thailand	$27.49 Thailand

Aruna Singh

(no photo avail)

“My designs fuse Indian classic and modern textile arts, resulting in designs of timeless elegance inspired by Jaipur traditions. Each design embraces elegance in its own way.” “I come from the legendary ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, renowned as place rich in traditional arts. I’ve been designing since I was a little girl.”

Emerald Jaipur Princess	Ruby Jaipur Princess	Natures Symphony
Rich in traditional majesty, this tunic exemplifies fashionable elegance. Aruna Singh selects emerald green for her design, which features glistening beads and the legendary zardozi embroidery, once a favorite in Mughal courts. The tunic features an open v-neck, flared sleeves and lateral slits.	Elegant in scarlet sophistication, this tunic exemplifies Indian chic. Aruna Singh’s design features glistening beads and the legendary zardozi embroidery, once a favorite in Mughal courts. The tunic features an open v-neck, flared sleeves and lateral slits.	Nature’s symphony inspires dancing leaves on the cool khadi textures of this tunic, with the traditional textile arts of hand-spun and hand-woven khaddar cotton. It is adorned with block prints unique to Sanganer, in Rajasthan. Includes a belt.
$69.99 India	$67.99 India	SOLD OUT
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Silk Jacket Onyx Empress	Sun Dress Natures Symphony	Silk Dress Moving in Joy
Inspired by the rich fashion legacy of her beloved Jaipur, Aruna Singh designs this beautiful silk jacket. Sleeves are adorned with silver paisley patterns embroidered in aari style, requiring a rounded needle. With zari threads resembling actual silver, as once was the custom. Lined in cotton, the jacket fastens with five buttons.	Nature’s symphony inspires dancing leaves on the cool khadi textures of this tunic. Aruna Singh creates a modern design with the traditional textile arts of hand-spun and hand-woven khaddar cotton. It is adorned with block prints unique to Sanganer, in Rajasthan.	Florid paisleys in magnificent shades of blue mark the modern elegance of India’s new fashions. Aruna Singh designs this elegant black silk dress featuring embroidered motifs on the border and belt. The dress slips over the head.
$109.99 India	SOLD OUT	$99.95 India  SALE $79.96

Mayda

“Although I’ve lived in Bali since 2000, I haven’t forgotten my village in Java.” Mayda is a friendly and happy girl who is always smiling. “My hobby is making designs in my sketch book.”

Batik Dress Travel Dreams	Batik Shawl Ginger Sky	Batik Shawl Lime Garden
Working in hand-stamped batik, Mayda creates a lovely dress to wear everywhere. Its deep scoop neck, elasticized empire waist and cap sleeves distinguish a frock that goes everywhere.	Leafy fronds in deep ginger are highlighted against a rich blue sky. Created with hand-stamped batik, the motifs cover a dazzling shawl.	Blooming in lavish profusion, flowers pose amid leaves and vines. Mayda designs a lime green shawl of casual elegance to showcase the beauty of hand-stamped batik.
$54.95 Bali	$24.99 Bali	$23.99 Bali
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Catherine Dox

“I was born in Antwerp, Belgium, and grew up there. Elegance and charm are my keywords. I pay particular attention to details, they are what make the attire delicate. In all of my clothing you can find beadwork, sequins or embroidery. Indonesia is a wonderful place for this kind of handwork, and there are many skilled hand workers, mostly women. I love to work with women. From the beginning of our experience, we chose to mainly work with women’s communities in local villages, and with small family businesses.”

Chocolate Butterfly Blouse	Tunic Exotic Blue	Elegant Ivory Blouse
Inspired by a butterfly’s beauty and grace, this lovely blouse is a Catherine Dox design. Its V-neck ties, thus permitting slight adjustments to the fit. Elastic shirring at the lower hem accentuates the drape of the wide sleeves while golden sequins, applied by hand, adorn the front.	Catherine Dox casts a spell of exotic femininity with the design of this spectacular tunic. Can be worn alone, or over pants and leggings. The tunic features long sleeves with slanted cuffs and hemline. It is adorned with golden patterns on the front, and the sleeves are embroidered by hand with sequins and beads.	Applied by hand, golden sequins adorn an elegant blouse by Catherine Dox. They emerge from the low scoop neck in vertical patterns, for a slimming effect. Lycra gives the long tunic a bit of stretch, while flowing cape sleeves are feminine and flattering.
$77.95 Indonesia	$89.95 Indonesia	$69.95 Indonesia
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Tunic Exotic Ivory	Red Butterfly Blouse	Tunic Exotic Red
Catherine Dox casts a spell of exotic femininity with the design of this spectacular tunic. Can be worn alone, or over pants and leggings. The tunic features long sleeves with slanted cuffs and hemline. It is adorned with golden patterns on the front, and the sleeves are embroidered by hand with sequins and beads.	Inspired by a butterfly’s beauty and grace, this lovely blouse is a Catherine Dox design. Its V-neck ties, thus permitting slight adjustments to the fit. Elastic shirring at the lower hem accentuates the drape of the wide sleeves while golden sequins, applied by hand, adorn the front.	Catherine Dox casts a spell of exotic femininity with the design of this spectacular tunic. Can be worn alone, or over pants and leggings. The tunic features long sleeves with slanted cuffs and hemline. It is adorned with golden patterns on the front, and the sleeves are embroidered by hand with sequins and beads.
$89.95 Indonesia	$69.95 Indonesia	$89.95 Indonesia

Radhika

“The essence of my collection is truly Indian. The embroideries and fabrics that I am exploring and experimenting with have their origin in different regions of India. As a child, I was a very active, creative girl and always did something interesting. I have been learning classic dance since childhood”

Silk Blouse Rose Mist	Silk Blouse Blue Rose Mist	Silk Skirt Imperial Pink
Painted by hand, voluptuous roses blossom on natural silk. Radhika designs this blouse with feminine elegance. The pullover’s elongated line terminates in a wide hem of embroidered lace, repeated on the sleeves. The front features a discreet lining.	“This collection is inspired by flowers. They are so feminine and look good on anyone,” the Indian designer says. The pullover’s elongated line terminates in a wide hem of embroidered lace, repeated on the sleeves. The front features a discreet lining.	With diagonal line and flirty tiered ruffles, this beautiful silk skirt is painted by hand with roses in full bloom. Sequins and beadwork adorn the blossoms, and an asymmetrical hem adds visual interest.
$107.95 India	$107.95 India	$119.99 India
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