A Story Woven Through the Desert
Some moments speak louder without words. This editorial, deep in the heart of the desert, was one of those moments. It wasn’t just about styling, it was about honoring the path that brought each piece into my hands. Each item I’m wearing holds a story, a soul, a sacred journey of culture, craft, and connection.
This is what happens when culture meets styling—when what we wear becomes not just fashion, but living memory.
The Crown — Istanbul
Istanbul holds a unique place in my heart. It’s a city where modern life moves through the veins of ancient streets. Where the call to prayer rises from minarets, threading through bustling cafés and echoing off centuries-old mosques. The scent of incense, spice, and strong coffee drifts through the air as you weave through winding alleys and opulent bazaars. It was in one of those bazaars, a quiet vintage corner tucked beneath an arched stone walkway—that I found this crown. Surrounded by old tapestries, antique mirrors, and turkish rugs, this piece called to me.
It wasn’t loud, but it had presence. I was told it may have been worn by a talisman bearer or a desert dancer, someone who knew how to carry the weight of history with grace. Istanbul does that to you. It invites you to dress not just for the eye, but for the spirit.
The Bandeau — Morocco
Handcrafted from a traditional Moroccan rug, this bandeau reflects the woven legacy of Berber artisans. The textile’s earthy reds and geometric shapes are magnetic. This piece is a heartbeat from the medina, and it rests close to mine.
The Belt — Goa
Tucked on India’s west coast, Goa is a lush, free-spirited haven where palm trees sway over Portuguese churches and barefoot artists wander beachside markets. It’s green, it’s alive, and it hums with creativity. During my time doing production in Mumbai, I’d escape to Goa on weekends to exhale. It’s the kind of place where time stretches, where music floats through jungle cafés, and where you can find treasures from around the world.
The belt I’m wearing comes from the famous Anjuna Flea Market, a globally known marketplace that began in the 1960s as a gathering for hippies and travelers. It still feels like a meeting ground for the unconventional. I found this vintage coin belt among crates of silver, velvet, and sun-faded scarves. Its jingle is a reminder to play, to flow, to dance with the unexpected.
photo credit: Nomadic Odero – Photography
The Bangles & Rings — Jaipur, Mumbai, Nepal
Jaipur is a city of colors and contrasts. As you walk through it, you’ll see grand sandstone palaces next to humble roadside shrines. Women wrapped in vivid saris sit along the road, selling bangles, marigolds, and sweets. That’s where I found some of these silver bangles—amidst their quiet warmth, their resilience, and their rhythm of daily life.
Mumbai added its own energy,fast-paced and electric,where I sourced bold statement rings with hints of modern rebellion. And in Nepal, among the temples and mountaintop markets, I collected pieces that felt sacred. Some of these rings now live within Island Tribe’s collection—our quiet homage to big ring energy and the ancient beauty of adornment.
This editorial isn’t a moment—it’s a mosaic. A celebration of textures and timelines. Of cultures that continue to shape our identity, even when we’re miles away.
Styling, in its most divine form, is a form of prayer. It’s how we say: I remember where I’ve been. I honor where this comes from. I offer beauty back into the world. When culture meets styling, we step into something deeper, we become bridges between past and present, between craftsmanship and self-expression.
In every braid, every bangle, every thread—we are telling a story.
And mine, like yours, is still unfolding.
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