Any fashion that is lucky enough to fall under the influence of three civilizations are certain to be an
extraordinary blend of style and chic. Algeria sits at the crossroads of three worlds, Arab, Mediterranean and
African, and Algerian fashion has long been influenced by the fact that its unique location has been a place of
historic meetings and exchanges.
Not surprisingly, Algerian designers have succeeded in combining the culture traditions with the influence
of the environment of the country. These influences have found their way into the fashion industry and have
foreshadowed several changes in the choice of colour, design and pattern.
Women‘s costume in particular, successfully combines flamboyance, utility and elegance. There is a strong
emphasis on intricate decoration and colours. The use of colourful fabrics for clothing stands out against the
predominant surrounding earth tones and the Algerian woman has kept her love for colour
and brightly coloured patterns. Reds, yellows, greens and blues as well as many other colour
combinations are combined and finely embroidered with gold and silver threads.
The Karakou is a typical traditional dress and
incorporates a velvet jacket embroidered in gold and silver worn with the traditional saroual (Arab pants)
and comes from Algiers, the capital of Algeria.
The Blousa from Oran, West Algeria is a fulllength,
straight-cut dress made entirely from lace and
sequined chest.
Chedda of Tlemcen:is a traditional caftan velvet
and golden son, decorated with pearls, necklaces. It is considered in this region, as the most beautiful and the most expensive dress worn by the bride on her wedding day but also the other women at weddings.
The Djeba of Constantine:is the traditional dress
from Constantine in the eastern side of the country. This dress is always made with velvet and embroidered by gold and silver thread. The sleeves can be made of lace. In the central region of Tizi-ouzou, the dress is mainly made from cotton and is completely embroidered at the neck and bodice as well as at the wrists. However, it is at wedding and other special occasions that these traditional dresses do justice to the affair. Distinctive jewelry is also worn.
Chaoui Dress:known in eastern Algeria as „L‘Haf
Chaoui“, is a traditional dress made of black cloth embroidered with multicolored wool threads. This dress can be a one-piece or two-piece dress. Nowadays,
Chaoui Dress is often worn with wide comfortable pants or with traditional pants known as „Serwal“.
Burnous:is an elegant traditional sleeveless and hooded coat worn made of sheep, goat, or camel hair and worn by men and women at special ceremonies, including weddings, when it is used at the start of the wedding procession to cover the bride as she leaves her parents‘ house for her new life in a separate home. Burnous is embroidered and each region of the country offers its own style. There is also a Less
refined and heavier type of Burnous used in mountainous
areas to protect against the elements, which can be
particularly harsh in wintertime. This typical and traditional
garment is also emblematic of local traditions in Algeria. It
can be black in western Algeria, brown in the steppe and
high plateaus region, Djelfa for instance, and white in the
mountains of Kabylia, in north central Algeria.
El Hayek, the Algerian Veil,is emblematic of Algeria‘s
traditional dress heritage. Typically, Algerian and closely
connected to daily life in urban areas, the veil is a traditionally
dress worn by women and a symbol of modesty. Algerian
traditional Hayek comes mostly in white but some regions
of the country offer variants in other colors as well. The
typical „Hayek“ is a large rectangular piece of white cloth
that women use to cover their body and head, holding it
around the waist with a belt and over the shoulders using
fibula or any type of decorative pins or brooches.
Usually of white color in central and western Algeria, a hayek is typically black in the
Constantine region. According to tradition, women started wearing black veils as a way of
mourning the death of a beloved Dey or governor. The name for veil can also vary from one
region to the next, with „hayek“ being typical of central Algeria. In the Constantine region
and most of north eastern Algeria, a veil is known as „M‘laya“.
Veils come in different styles of embroidery and offerings range from plain linen, to fine
wool or silk. They are worn to preserve a woman‘s modesty but also to protect her from the
harsh sun typical of that region of the world. While veils are mostly intended to cover a
woman‘s body, they also help her hide any precious jewelry she may be wearing under it and
protect her from unwanted attention.
In the traditional popular narrative, the veil was always seen as the great equalizer and a
symbol of unity insofar as it helped blur regional and social differences between people.
The fact that these forms of traditional dresses are still used is a tribute to its comfort and
suitability for the climate. It also points to the pride that Algerians take in the tradition of
their ancestors and their identity in the modern world.
"Algeria: a country to discover, opportunities to be seized" is the title of a new Golden Book published by the Algerian Embassy in Washington.Read more...
