A North African ceremony outfit comes together in three steps: the dress or caftan, the embroidered waistcoat or bolero, then the jewellery and the clutch. This guide explains how to pair them for a wedding, a henna night, an engagement or Yennayer, using the handmade pieces from our Paris atelier. It is written for brides and guests alike.<\/p>\n
The dress sets the main colour and the neckline. Everything else follows it. Three cases come up again and again:<\/p>\n
This is the piece that says \u201coccasion\u201d. It comes in two versions, both in velvet and both made by hand in our atelier:<\/p>\n
Every style is in our embroidered waistcoat and bolero collection<\/a>.<\/p>\n The jewellery finishes the outfit by catching the light. Three rules are enough:<\/p>\n Our sets are made by hand in Paris from cultured pearls, crystals, enamel, coloured stones and gold-tone metal, from \u20ac59 to \u20ac109: browse our ceremony jewellery sets<\/a>. To understand the gold terms, read vermeil, gold-filled or gilding<\/a>.<\/p>\n The clutch picks up a colour from the embroidery, not from the dress. Burgundy dress, black gold-embroidered clutch; black dress, burgundy and garnet clutch; light dress, midnight blue clutch. Our occasion clutches<\/a> in embroidered velvet are \u20ac39; the bolero and clutch sets save you the search.<\/p>\n For the bride, a traditional outfit calls for the grand set in beads and gold-tone medallions, the ceremony belt and, over a plain dress, the gold-thread embroidered bolero. For guests, a set in coloured stones or crystals, a Kabyle waistcoat and a matching clutch. Avoid copying the bride\u2019s colours exactly.<\/p>\n A henna night loves warm shades: burgundy, amber, orange, caramel. An amber-tone set, or orange stones with cultured pearls, a petrol or taupe Kabyle waistcoat, and a ceremony belt over a flowing dress. The jewellery has to last all evening: our pieces are made light on the ear.<\/p>\n Quieter than the wedding: an embroidered bolero over a plain dress, a medium set (necklace and earrings), an embroidered clutch. It is also the moment to give the set as a gift.<\/p>\n The Amazigh new year, in January, is celebrated with family: a Kabyle waistcoat in trimmed velvet over a modern Kabyle dress or a simple top, beaded earrings, and a necklace of beads and medallions. It is the piece you bring out every year.<\/p>\n Traditional Kabyle jewellery is made of enamelled silver and coral. It is worn with the Kabyle dress and collected; for an antique piece, go to a specialist jeweller. Our sets are a modern take, in gold tones and beads, designed to be worn again and again: at the wedding, then for evenings out, with a Kabyle waistcoat or a cocktail dress. The two are not mutually exclusive: an antique fibula looks beautiful with a modern set.<\/p>\n Pieces in stock leave within 3 working days, with tracked delivery in France at \u20ac4.50, complimentary from \u20ac79. A piece made on request takes longer: tell us the date of the event before you order, and we will confirm. You have 14 days to change your mind.<\/p>\n3. The jewellery: necklace, earrings, bracelet, belt<\/h2>\n
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4. The clutch<\/h2>\n
5. By occasion<\/h2>\n
Wedding<\/h3>\n
Henna night<\/h3>\n
Engagement<\/h3>\n
Yennayer<\/h3>\n
6. Traditional Kabyle jewellery or modern sets?<\/h2>\n
7. Allow enough time<\/h2>\n