Trendlet Alert: Wedding Textiles

By Amy Preiser
July 6, 2010

A version of this story also appears on ShelterPop, an AOL site featuring ideas and inspirations for beautiful, livable homes. On alternating Thursdays, The Inside Source and ShelterPop will be teaming up to bring you the latest in shelter trends, so check back often for more fun and easy tips to update your home!

Clockwise from top left: Suzani Flat Woven Wool Rug (Photo courtesy of Cost Plus World Market); Merchant Of Samarkand (Photo by Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky/Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty Images); Applied Arts, Design and Fashion Exhibition Held At Youth Creativity Palace (Photo by Yves Forestier/Getty Images For Style.UZ); Vintage Moroccan wedding blanket 525, for sale by Maryam of Marrakech. (Photo courtesy of MoroccanMaryam); Bedroom by Kishani Perera (Photo by Jean Randazzo); Oscar De La Renta Pre-Fall Show (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Forget white gowns and embroidered napkins—we're talking about traditional ethnic wedding textiles that have made their way into modern decor.

Even if you don't have any weddings on your calendar this summer, they're hard to avoid: couples taking engagement photos in the park, Bridezilla shows taking over the TV—there's even wedding coverage on your favorite sites! So let's take a look at a couple wedding traditions borrowed from other countries: Wedding textiles like Suzanis and Handira.

Its Roots: Believe it or not, the electric colored and patterned Suzanis were not invented by a team of clever designers who knew how much pizazz they'd add to a room. In fact they've been around since the 19th-century originally seen in central Asia, in what is now Uzbekistan. And before they were draped over sofas and repurposed as gorgeous rugs, they were used as wedding night bed sheets. Sure, satin sheets might be romantic, but these are far more gorgeous. We also love this gem of Suzani trivia—each authentic one has an intentional mistake. Those were popped in by the bride-to-be sewing the textile as a reminder of human imperfection.

Meanwhile, the Handira—more commonly known as Moroccan wedding blankets—have a similar lovely story to go along with the their making. Because it took so long to sew together the final product—the sequins! the tassles!—the bride's family worked together on these, and used the time during the meditative process to dispense advice and ideas for a happy marriage. As a bonus, the care that went into weaving it is rumored to lend divine protection to the blanket (and owners!).

Seen Now: In Sex and the City 2, the gals travel to Morocco and indulge in tea on a Handira (wonder what kind of advice Samantha would give, should she find herself sewing one of those!). L'aviva home, the site started by former travel editor Laura Aviva, even has a section devoted to dowry, where you can get gorgeous vintage Suzanis and Handira. And last October Suzanis were even highlighted at a place with the most fantastic name—the "Youth Creativity Palace" in Uzbekistan. Just a couple of months later iconic fashion designer Oscar de la Renta sent his pre-fall 2010 collection down the runway and delicious Suzani prints abounded on capes and skirts.

Loved By: Maryam in Marrakech! If you don't already follow Maryam's dreamy, gorgeous adventures in Marrakech you should log on for her poems, stories and photos of everything from flowers to parties (and oh yeah -- amazing Moroccan design!). She calls Handira "perhaps the world's most beautiful blankets. Really." When it comes to Suzanis, you can also be sure that they're dearly beloved by just about every interior designer in our (stylish) book, but we'll have to throw extra credit to California decorator-turned-Obama White House designer Michael S. Smith, who has been using them as far back as 1998 (here's proof, from ELLE DECOR!) True, it's not the 19th century, but it's solid proof that this trend has serious legs. Lastly, one more humble Suzani lover -- myself! The first piece I bought for my new apartment was a World Market suzani rug.

eBay Picks (Some of the actual textiles…and some pieces inspired by them!)

Roll over items for details

Stunning Uzbek Handmade Embroidery Suzani

(starting bid, $75)

Vintage Huge Embroidery Samarkand Silk Suzani

(starting bid, $290)

2 Uzbek Silk Embroidery Suzani Round Pillow Cases

(buy it now price, $24.99)

Uzbek Handmade Suzani Silk Pillow

(buy it now price, $29.90)

Uzbek Vintage Hippie Boho Embroidered Suzani Dress

(starting bid, $38)

Antique Uzbek Silk Suzani Hand Embroidered-Oy Palyak

(buy it now price, $499)

19th Gorgeous Uzbek Islamic Silk Suzani Table Cloth

(buy it now price, $800)

222 Fifth Happy Suzani Scroll Rustic Dinner Plates

(buy it now price, $46.99)

Vintage Tribal Berber Handira

(buy it now price, $999)

This story is part of a series of shared posts with ShelterPop, an AOL site featuring ideas and inspirations for beautiful, livable homes. Guest writer Amy Preiser is an Associate Editor at ShelterPop and has worked previously at House Beautiful, New York, and Brides Local magazines. Originally from Long Beach, CA, she now decorates her Brooklyn apartment with D.I.Y. reupholstered chairs and designer pillows: perfect for throwing cheap chic dinner parties. She'll decoupage just about anything, and wears at least one bow a day.

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