Travel has highly influenced my fashion. My gypsy style is an eclectic blend of global Culture, a 70’s bohemian vibe, mixed with that effortless California style.”
Angeline Hayling
My Style
I started traveling at a very young age; by the age of seven I had already visited 7 countries. My father was a Travel Missionary, he travelled all around the world for his Global Ministries. I would be in awe of the countless stamps on his passports, and always admired the way he travelled in style. His neatly packed brown leather vintage briefcase was the essence of a true wanderlust minister. He always wore his white guayabera (traditional Cuban shirt with vertical rows of delicately sewn pleats) worn untucked with slacks, looking cool and sharp even on the hottest days on the Island.
Travel has highly influenced my fashion. My gypsy style is an eclectic blend of global Culture, a 70’s bohemian vibe, mixed with that effortless California style. I also happen to be an avid jewelry collector. When I travel, I collect statement pieces usually sourced from local antique shops, local art markets and or eclectic boutiques. I call this “My Wanderlust Souvenir Collections”. Here, I will share just a few of my favorite wanderlust souvenirs that I’ve collected over the years.
Tarboosh Hat. It is a Traditional Turkish Fez Hat . I collected this hat at a village market in Istanbul, Turkey. In the 19th Century the Fez hat gained wide acceptance when the Ottoman rulers moved to modernize traditional costumes.
Belly or waist chains. In India, it is believed that a waist chain brings in good energy, protect’s a woman from negative energies, and it’s also a form of spiritual healing ornament. In most African cultures, women of all ages still wear a hip chain; where it’s said to protect them from negative energy. They are normally worn in the form of Jigida or beads below the belly, under their clothes in order to have a healing property, and influence. Here, I’m wearing a vintage coin belly chain that I collected from a Bazaar in Mumbai, India.
Bracelets – The etymology of the word ‘bracelet’ is traced to the Greek word ‘brachille’, meaning ‘of the arm’. Greek soldiers often donned metal and leather cuffs on their wrists, and arms for protection during battle. Occasionally, the bracelet was also worn to signify that a particular warrior had shown great bravery in battle. Over time and with the blending of cultures the bracelet is worn for decorative reasons, rather than for protection in war. Here, I’m wearing a stack of metal bracelets I collected from a local jeweler near the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.
Rings and Hand Chains are some of the most fun pieces of my wanderlust souvenir collections. These have become my signature look, such that my hands can be identified without a face to it. I wear these jewelry everyday, and enjoy mixing textures, sizes and colors altogether across cultures. Here; I’m also wearing a hand-chain ornament also known as a Hath Phool. The hath Phool is traditional jewelry that finds its origin in Persia and was brought to India with Mughal invasion. This particular five finger jewel chain was my find from the bustling colorful markets of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India.
In my closet, each piece of jewelry has a story; once collected from a place so far, but now so near and dear to my heart. A reminder not to be afraid of searching for life. Have courage to “ Roam far, & wander wide…
