GLOBAL STYLE: THE HANDIRA

Hello lovelies! Cristina from FujiFiles here with the next Global Style Bite all the way from Morocco. The traditional Moroccan wedding blanket, or handira, is a beautiful piece of textile woven from sheep's wool and hundreds of mirrored sequins.

In the Berber villages of Morocco, the female members of the bride's family spend months hand sewing each round metal sequin to hand-loomed sheep's wool. Berber brides would then wear the handira as a cape to keep warm on the journey to their new husband's home. 

Of course interior designers have found a new use for these bridal accessories in the home! Hendiras make the most beautiful bedspreads, with just enough sparkle to add luxury to any room, and in a neutral hue for a calming space.

Despite its traditional origins, this hand woven textile fits flawlessly into a modern design aesthetic, as Jonathan Adler demonstrated in his design for the Parker Palm Springs (below). 

Maryam has a beautiful selection for sale over at my marrakesh, and even if you're not in the market for a Moroccan wedding blanket, they make for great eye candy! I imagine draping one over my couch - the whites are refreshing for summer and the sequins are perfectly festive for  the holidays (and without the red & green)! 

*images via: stylecurator, apartmenttherapy, desiretoinspire