Culture Clothing(26 items)
Welcome to NOVICA's Culture Clothing Collection designed and crafted for you by talented artisans worldwide.
Member Zone
Log in
Log in to see your rewards

Log in or create a free account
to see your current rewards, artisan impact level and shipping discounts.
The Village Council
Your answers straight from the village experts


Traditional methods of hand crafting robes vary by region, culture, and historical context. Two common techniques that allow artisans to create luxurious, wearable, highly-detailed robes are hand-painting and hand-stitching. In Bali, where the practice of making robes by hand has been passed down for generations, the traditional method of batik is a signature style. The Batik Tulis, for example, is a technique that utilizes wax-resistant dye that is then applied directly to the cloth. It is an intricate, patient process that can produce extraordinarily detailed pieces. Batik Cap is another classic technique where a copper stamp is repeatedly pressed with the wax-resistant dye onto the cloth. This process creates patterns on the garment that are then dip-dyed to saturate color into the unwaxed parts of the robe. Both batik techniques produce unique pieces that represent the incredible talent of our artisans in Bali.


Each region puts its signature mark on its handmade robes. In Thailand, for example, designs featuring geometric patterns and labyrinth motifs are trending. These patterns are hand-woven to create a ruched texture that highlights the intricacy of each garment. From Bali to Java, our artisans have seen their batik motifs become customer favorites. These wearable canvases feature both hand-painted and hand-printed designs, making for vibrant, one-of-a-kind pieces that allow for artisans and customers to showcase their individuality.


The fit, feel, and fabric of a robe should transport you to a place of rest and relaxation. Novicas handmade robes exude comfort, because artisans attend to every detail with painstaking care. Robes made from silk, cotton, or rayon can provide high levels of comfort and versatility. One should look for breathability, absorbency, and versatility when purchasing a robe. Additionally, hypoallergenic fibers, like cotton, can provide comfort to those with sensitive skin. Whether one is looking for a lightweight fabric or a lavishly-woven robe, every handmade piece from Novica artisans brings an expressive twist to new styles and a fresh take on the classics.


Handmade robes are fine, delicate pieces. These garments require a bit more care when it comes to laundering. Hand-washing in cold water always produces the best results. For machine wash, one can use cold water and the delicate cycle. Avoid twisting or harshly handling the fabric, and never use intense heat settings while drying the robe. Air drying while the fibers are laid flat will help to prevent excessive wear on the fabric, as well as preserve the vibrancy of the robes colors. Always dry a batik or hand-painted robe in the shade.


The journey of the traditional robe throughout history is meandering and culturally specific. Here are just a few of the important stops along the way. In Japan, kimonos are an adaptable garment that have been a staple of cultural fashion since the Heian period. The robes from Bali are influenced by the classic Japanese kimono and yukata. The kimono is crafted with silk and worn over many layers in the winter while the yukata is a summer garment made with a single layer of cotton. Both of these styles reflect the artisans' take on a traditional style. In prehistoric Rome, robes were used to identify social status and to signify special ranks within communities. And by the 1700s, dressing gowns were a fashionable piece in the western wardrobe.


The most popular materials for crafting handmade robes are natural fibers such as silk and cotton. Because silk is a light-weight, water-resistant fiber, it provides the wearer a sense of luxury and comfort. Rayon is a natural-based material made up of an organic compound derived from cotton extract or wood pulp. This fiber is extremely durable, breathable, and cost effective. Cotton is celebrated for its comfortability and elasticity, and it provides excellent insulation. These fibers make for garments that exude luxury and relaxation.
Featured Reviews on Culture Clothing
Cotton tunic, 'Blue on White Elegance'





By Joy
Comfortable and enhances figure
This has a very flattering shape The blue contrasts nicely with the white. It is light and airy. It looks great with jeans , dress paints or a skirt
Rayon kebaya blouse, 'Snow White Bidadari'





By Judith
Lovely blouse
This is the loveliest blouse. Its comfortable, fits perfect. Ordered a medium. Im 58, 140 lbs. Great detail and of very nice quality.
Rayon kebaya blouse, 'Onyx Bidadari'





By Robin
Lovely
5?3?. 145 lbs. 40? bust. Large fits great. I put it on over a turtleneck, and it was a little bit tight. I would wear this over a tank or small tee shirt, so it?s just right.
Featured Artist
Vikram Uberoi
"I love learning about different facets of Indian crafts. I have always had a keen interest in visiting other parts of India, where ancient traditional arts are still created."
"I love learning about different facets of Indian crafts. I love to travel and have always had... read more
Popular Culture Clothing
-
Long Hand Woven Ikat Cotton Duster Jacket, "Kartini"
$109.95Ully from Java creates a long cotton duster replete with global chic style. The long, open jacket is woven by hand using the method, whereby warp and/or weft threads are bound and dyed prior to weaving to create distinctive patterns. The black and grey jacket is the perfect way to add a little drama and sophistication to an outfit. The artisan names her design Kartini, who is a national hero and a pioneer for women's rights in Indonesia.
Due to the hand-dyed and handwoven nature of ikat, patterns or position of motifs may vary from garment to garment, making each a unique work of art. The overall color scheme will remain the same. -
Long Handwoven Burgundy & Blue Ikat Cotton Duster Jacket, "Kartini Burgundy"
$109.95By Ully, this long, open duster jacket is woven by hand in burgundy and blue using the ikat technique, in which the threads are tie-dyed before placing them on the loom. The Javanese artisan names her design Kartini, for a beloved pioneer for women's rights in Indonesia.
Due to the hand-dyed and handwoven nature of ikat, patterns or position of motifs may vary from garment to garment, making each a unique work of art. The overall color scheme will remain the same. -
White Cotton Tunic with Indian Embroidery Designs in Blue, "Blue on White Elegance"
$44.99$31.49From Indian designer Shalabh, this charming cotton tunic features bold blue embroidery on white cotton to create a distinctive style for your summer. The ancient Indian embroidery technique of , which is still heavily used in Indian textiles today, makes the V neckline and short cap sleeves of this tunic stand out from the rest. The shirt's hem also features blue embroidery work, adding to the tunic's lightweight yet structured drape.
-
Floral Leather Jutti Shoes in Emerald from India, "Emerald Taj Mahal"
$82.99$70.54In the traditional style of these decorative slip-on shoes from India are designed by Vikram Uberoi, drawing inspiration from the beauty of the Taj Mahal. He works with local artisans, who handcraft the shoes of leather in a solid emerald hue with nappa leather soles. The shoes are decorated by hand with elegant floral patterns reminiscent of the designs of the Taj Mahal's interior. A foam padding provides comfort, and each shoe's sole is decorated with laser-printed motifs. are traditional shoes common in North India and its neighboring regions. Characterized by extensive and intricate embroidery performed with real gold and silvery thread, juttis are inspired by footwear worn by Indian royalty over 400 years ago. To this day, these beautiful slip-on shoes are popular at weddings and other ceremonies, as well as for everyday use.