The Shuar Tribe

I admire the Shuar Tribes craftsmanship, how they manage to create these crowns of feathers. Markings on the face circulate around the chin and cheek area, some designs continuing onto the nose and eyes.

Interestingly, I did not realise, the Shuar are based in the Peruvian Amazon. They are a sub-tribe of the Jivaro Indians, who are all based in the Topical Rainforest.

I think it is the amazing colours the Shuar brand themselves with, that draws me to this tribe. The feathers, bright yellow and red, are really striking but could also be seen as warning colours. 

Wanting to include animalistic qualities into my catwalk design, I now think that tropical birds are the perfect root for me, I'm already thinking of the beautiful colours of parrot feathers, perhaps this idea can be developed along with influences of Peru textiles, which are also similarly coloured. 

I'm also drawn to the hunting elements of tribes, this is something that really grabs me and I think I could create quite a strong image, maybe using hunting poses. Although beautiful and flowing/graceful, I also want my design to be sharp and fierce, so it is most striking.