The modern Kabyle dress has kept the bright colours, trims and geometric patterns of the traditional dress, and gained cuts closer to an evening gown: a defined waist, fitted sleeves or none at all, varying lengths. It is worn to weddings, henna nights and Yennayer. We do not make it; everything worn with it, however, comes from our Paris atelier. Here is how to accessorise it.
The Kabyle velvet waistcoat
It is the dress’s natural companion: sleeveless, trimmed, worn open. The dress is colourful, so the waistcoat stays understated: midnight blue, grey, taupe, or petrol with pink lining if the dress is light. €59, in our embroidered waistcoat and bolero collection. Our article explains how to wear a Kabyle waistcoat.
Embroidered waistcoats & boleros
Kabyle-inspired velvet waistcoat in midnight blue — multicoloured woven trim, silver-tone brooch
€59.00One of a kind
Embroidered waistcoats & boleros
Kabyle-inspired velvet waistcoat in grey — blue & gold woven trim, brooch
€59.00One of a kind
Embroidered waistcoats & boleros
Kabyle-inspired velvet waistcoat in taupe — multicoloured woven trim, silver-tone brooch
€59.00One of a kind
Embroidered waistcoats & boleros
Kabyle-inspired velvet waistcoat in petrol — pink satin lining, woven trim
€59.00One of a kind
The jewellery
On a patterned dress, the jewellery has to stay easy to read: white beads and gold-tone medallions, which clash with no colour. The cultured pearl and gold-tone medallion set or the white bead set with drop medallions are made for exactly that. If the dress is mostly plain with trims, you can try a coloured stone in one of the trim colours: turquoise, citrine-tone. Those who have the family’s enamelled silver wear it with a fibula on the waistcoat; the two go together, as explained in our article on traditional and modern Kabyle jewellery.
Ceremony jewellery sets
Long cultured pearl necklace with gold-tone links — matching bracelet & earrings
€89.00One of a kind
Ceremony jewellery sets
White bead set with gold-tone drop medallions — necklace, bracelet & earrings
€89.00One of a kind
The belt
Many modern Kabyle dresses are worn with a belt that defines the waist. The ceremony belt in beads, gold-tone medallions and crystal replaces the fabric belt for a wedding; for Yennayer, keep the dress’s own belt.
Ceremony jewellery sets
Beaded ceremony belt — pearlescent beads & gold-tone medallions, for an occasion dress
€75.00One of a kind
The clutch
A colour from the trim or the embroidery, never the colour of the dress: a black, gold-embroidered occasion clutch with most dresses, midnight blue with a red or orange dress.
By occasion
- Wedding : dress, understated waistcoat, bead and medallion set, ceremony belt, embroidered clutch.
- Henna night : dress, petrol or taupe waistcoat, amber-tone set, burgundy clutch. See what to wear to a henna night.
- Yennayer : dress, waistcoat, short necklace. See what to wear for Yennayer.
Caring for the whole outfit
Follow your dressmaker’s instructions for the dress. The velvet waistcoat is not machine washable; store the jewellery flat, away from perfume, and the clutch in its dust bag. Our full guide to North African ceremony outfits covers every combination.
Traditional or modern: what changes for accessories
The traditional Kabyle dress is loose, in cotton or satin, trimmed with coloured ribbons, and worn with a woven belt and a headscarf. It calls for enamelled silver and the fibula. The modern Kabyle dress keeps the trims and colours but nips in the waist, is shorter or lighter, and is worn without a headscarf. It therefore takes gold-tone jewellery, a ceremony belt and an embroidered clutch: in other words, everything we make. In between, semi-modern dresses are worn with a waistcoat and light jewellery.
Three complete outfits, ready to copy
- Wedding, guest : red and gold modern Kabyle dress, midnight blue waistcoat, white bead and gold-tone medallion set, black gold-embroidered clutch.
- Henna night : orange and green modern Kabyle dress, taupe waistcoat, amber-tone set, burgundy and garnet clutch.
- Yennayer : blue and white modern Kabyle dress, grey waistcoat, bead and medallion necklace, light earrings, no clutch.
Frequently asked questions
Do you sell Kabyle dresses?
No. We make the waistcoats, boleros, jewellery sets and clutches worn with them. For the dress, go to a specialist dressmaker.
Which waistcoat colour goes with a red dress?
Midnight blue or grey. With a green dress, taupe or petrol. With a white or cream dress, petrol with pink lining or midnight blue.
Can I order a matching waistcoat and clutch?
Yes: choose the clutch in the colour of the waistcoat’s trim, or send us the waistcoat’s reference for a clutch made on request.
