Vintage Hawaiian Barkcloth Dress

1950's vintage bark cloth dress.
Handmade and one-of-a-kind!
 
BRAND: Handmade
CIRCA: 1950's
CATEGORY: Women's
SIZE: Small
DETAILS: Handmade, zipper closure on back
MEASURMENTS: Pit-to-Pit: 17"/Waist: 14"/Length: 47"
RETAIL PRICE: Up to $530
OUR PRICE: $275
 
About barkcloth (aka tapa or kapa) fabric
The creation of Kapa fabric is a labor intensive process. Traditionally made from the bark of a Wauke (Mulberry) tree, it is first stripped of its outer bark and soaked in water for up to ten days. Next, it is beaten and placed in ti or banana leaves in a warm, shady spot to ferment. These fibers require a fermentation stage to allow the fibers to float freely, resulting in a felted, matted, seamless mass. The fermentation process is essential to the quality and texture of the finished cloth.
 
The second stage of processing requires many more hours of beating, shaping, and stretching the fiber pieces – eventually resulting in a breathable, workable fabric.
 
Modern barkcloth is made from 100% cotton, textured with a surface that is reminiscent of cushion covers from the early 1950’s.