Monday, 11 July 2011

KOLONI Colombia - MOLA Fashion



WHAT IS MOLA?

MOLA is the name given to the intricate construction of layering solid coloured cloth in designs drawn from nature and everyday life. The patterns are cut for each element of the design and then every edge is folded and sewn into place by hand.



EACH MOLA IS A ONE OF A KIND ETHNIC DESIGN


WHO MAKES MOLA?

Mola forms part of the traditional costume of a Kuna woman, two mola panels being incorporated as front and back panels in a blouse.


WHY DO THEY MAKE IT?

Mola originated with the tradition of Kuna women painting their bodies with geometrical designs, using available natural colours; in later years these same designs were woven in cotton, and later still, sewn using cloth bought from the European settlers.


MAKING MOLA

It can take between 2 weeks and 6 months to make each unique mola. Designs are either geometic abstraction or naturalistic subject matters that have little concern with realism. The women spend every free moment sewing and they usually have several pieces of needlework going at one time.



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