color me beautiful

This is potentially a random post, but let me share something that I really enjoy. It is a fabric mecca here. Silks, cottons, chiffons, solids, stripes, anything you could imagine, in incredible abundance, splayed in piles and stacks waiting to be transformed into formalwear, curtains, pillowcases, a handbag, or any number of other things.

I love fabric. I love texture, and colors, and patterns... And really, I love beauty, and creativity, and handiwork in whatever form. I love that the amount of sequins dripping from just a few hangers in one market stall exceeds more than I've ever seen in my life. This is the stuff of beauty pageants and disney movies! 

I also love learning about traditional Khmer outfits. At the Royal Palace there is a room displaying the day-to-day colors that are worn by palace residents and required of all palace workers and tour guides. Starting from the left, see Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday....  It reminds me a bit of those seasonal color swatches that were all the rage in the early 1990s.  I for one am a spring and wouldn't do well on Tuesdays...

Silk weaving is an important tradition in Cambodia and silk made here is prized by collectors the world over. I just sent quite a selection to my cousin in Alaska, for various projects yet to be determined. I can't wait to see what her creative juices produce. Just thinking about all of those colors makes my heart beat a little faster!