Tribal Trend Spring 2008

OUT OF AFRICA

If you haven't yet been moved to adopt a baby from Malawi or start a dilettante fair-trade fundraising campaign in Burundi, the fashion zeitgeist of next season just might change your mind.

Designers plundered tribal sources for their spring/summer inspiration, expanding the global community with multiethnic undercurrents in their collections. The newcomers behind Ohne Titel created handwoven suede and raffia accessories reminiscent of traditional African jewelry, while Oscar de la Renta took a slight departure from his classical repertoire with wooden beads, straw hats and bags, and indigenous-inspired prints.

At Ports 1961, designer Tia Cibani topped things off with the West African gele to brilliant effect, while Diane von Furstenberg took tribal to a decidedly sophisticated place. Working the trend might not make you an overnight Bono, but it could certainly inspire a tabloid-worthy humanitarian endeavor.