Blinging Tribals: Maa-What? Maasai!

Who doesn't squeal in excitement at store windows showing mannequins wearing Maasai-inspired jewelry? That's it, deny it if you want to... we know you squeal inside! There is absolutely nothing more beautiful than a Maasai woman decked out in her full regalia. Nothing! And if you like your accessories bold and bright, and love to make one hell of a statement whenever you step out, then you gotta join this train! We found some amazing Maasai-inspired blingin' accessories to make you go - GOSH!!!, and if you like, we're going straight ahead to share some incredible brands that made us fall in love all over again.

MELODY EHSANI

The undeniably inspiring and insanely talented Melody Ehsani never fails to wow us! Her designs have been seen on J.Lo, Queen Latifah, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj,  Nas, Alicia Keys, Estelle, Khloe Kardashian, LMFAO, Keri Hilson, Solange... that list is loooong! You can get you some Melody here...

  Melody Ehsani's Masaai collection 

PIKOLINOS

Handmade by over 1,400 Maasai women from Kenya's Mara National Reserve, Pikolinos' Maasai collection is elegant, chic and pretty! The profits from from these incredible shoes, made from the finest leather (well, it's Pikolinos?), go to the development of health and education centres in the region. You can shop the collection here and here. Go on, click those links - you know you want some...

Pikolinos' Summer 2012 Maasai Collection

If  you aren't convinced yet, here's a look at Eugenia Silva's Ad Campaign for Pikolinos' Maasai collection:

  

Stunning, right?

ANNA TRZEBINSKI

From exquisitely crafted handbags to insanely beautiful jewelry, scarves and shoes, the Kenya-based Anna Trzebinski brings Maasai style closer to home. Her designs are incredible, innovative and completely, totally, undeniably obsession-worthy! To check out more Anna Trzebinski designs and for details on where to get her stuff, check out Anna's Facebook page here...

Bags

Sandals

Statement Necklaces

Did You Know?

Mothers of Maasai warriors wear "Surutia", coiled metal medallions. If her son is the first to get his head shaved during the Eunoto ceremony (a man's transition from warriorhood to elderhood), he wears his mothers Surutia and it becomes "Loosurutia"

Maasai women wear elaborate beaded collars, which are higher in front and lower in back. The collars are made by the women themselves, and become more elaborate as women grow and acquire more skill. The women shave their heads to show off the beaded collars, which move around when they dance.

Beads in particular have some meaning to the Maasai, with red beads having a connection to blood, blue beads having a connection to the heavens and the Gods, and green beads having a connection to prosperity, fertility of the land, and peace. All other colors are purely decorative.