Traditional Fashion At The UN DAY CELEBRATION
Filled with colour and beautiful traditional dress from around the world, parents and students alike dressed up to celebrate the United Nations day on the 3rd of November last Friday at the United Nations International School in Hanoi- Vietnam.
Celebrated once annually, it was such an honour for the school to ask Jenna to represent her country Uganda this year as the youngest flag bearer. We had her dress the Gomesi made back home in Uganda and shipped to Vietnam through a friend that was flying our way and I am so glad that it had the perfect fit for her body.
The Gomesi or Busuuti, a floor length traditional dress for the women of Buganda Kingdom is the most worn traditional dress in Uganda seen among many non Buganda tribes including mine (Bagisu from the East). Naturally, it is fair to say it is the national dress of Uganda.
It isn't clear exactly when this elegant dress was made but research shows it was designed by one Caetano Milagres Gomes and his older brother both Indian tailors for students of Gayaza High school , a missionary Catholic school in the early 1900's. The dress only picked up popularity later when he designed a special one for a royal Princess, a former student of the school and wife to the Kabaka (King) Daudi Chwa II for his coronation in 1914.
The gomesi has puff shoulders, a square neckline and 2 buttons on the left upper bust. It also has a belt/ sash for the waist with fringe detail on either end and is usually worn to special occasions although in the rural areas of the country, it is a day dress for many. The men's version is called the "Kanzu"
It is made of silk or cotton with an inner cotton skirt called the "Kikoyi" to help give it a fullness around the hips. However I had a simpler version made for my daughter because I needed something comfy that wouldn't fall out of place if she stepped on it or played about. I also sewed down her belt onto the dress to prevent it from falling because as you can see, it is supposed to be supported by the lower back and hips and is not tied tight around the waist. underneath her dress I placed a layered tutu skirt to give her a little fullness and avoid a stick look being as shes just a little girl (with no full hips)
isn't she lovely?
After the flag waving ceremony, families got together with their children and we feasted on meals prepared by parents from all the country nations of the students of UNIS and it was a a delicious combination of international food and flavour all in one place.
Posing with a Mom from Korea. I wore a dress I made that is a combination of African Dutch wax print and suede.
ladies wearing Japanese Kimono (with belted waist) and Vietnamese Ao Dai both traditional dresses.
Jenna, my friend Ronke (Nigeria)and I posing infront of the UNIS 30 year banner
This by far, is my favourite day at the school because as a fashion designer, the intricate and delicate designs of traditional dresses is something i completely love to look at and it inspires me in some of my designs as a fashion student.
Do you love to dress your little one in traditional dresses on special occasions, please share some photos and the country you come from.