The Emir of Katsina, Sir Alhaji Usman Nagogo, holding a morning greeting ceremony, Katsina, Nigeria 1959 By Eliot Elisofon

"The Emir sits in a chair against the wall, with the dark blue turbaned members of his bodyguard at his right, and council and staff members at his left. One of the emir's son, Alhaji Mohamed Kabir, sits at his father's right. The senior member of the Emir's council is at his immediate left, then a secretary, then a scribe." [Eliot Elisofon's personal field note]. 


These photographs were taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959. (More)

The Emir of Katsina's elite bodyguard at the morning greeting ceremony (more)

 "Particular styles of turbans or particular textiles or colors may be reserved for specific occasions or for different segments of the aristocracy or their retainers. In the northern emirates, the turban is a central symbol of political authority. For secular political events, emirs and other elites prefer dark indigo-blue turbans; for example, when receiving official visitors, attending installation ceremonies and for equestrian displays." [Arnoldi M., 1995: Wrapping the Head, Crowning Achievements, UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History].

A traditional Spanish, Portuguese, or Latin American spectacle in found images

I'm automatically repelled and disgusted by the bloodsport of Bull fighting. However, also somehow drawn towards and fascinated with this cruel spectacle's penchant for pompous costume, augmented ideas of masculinity and bravery encrusted in swathes of beaded, fitted, costumes* in orange, turquoise, yellow and crimson fabric.


*Apparently:  'Because of the decorations and elaborateness on the costume, the Spanish call the toreador's outfit as traje de luces, meaning the "suit of lights". Though undoubtedly flamboyant, matador costume structure provides great ease of movement.' - the wikipedia entry on Toreros (Bullfighters)






i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi, vii, viii, ix, x, xi, xii, xiii, xiv, xv, xvi, xvii, xviii xix
All found images gleaned from google image search.




The horses get outfits too:




via

'Bold Constructions' Another Magazine by Viviane Sussen

'Bold Constructions' Another Magazine fall/winter 2009
photographer: Viviane Sassen
stylist: Mattias Karlsson
hair: Taco Stuiver @ house of orange
makeup: Mascha Meier @ house of orange
models: Kinee Douf, Awood










Source: TFS (click for high resolution versions)

La Couture est Dans le Pré

French Vogue Oct 2007
Photographer Patrick Demarchelier
Editor: Carine Roitfeld
Model: Natasha Poly
Hair: Luigi Murenu, Makeup: Tom Pecheux

Source

Like my mother and my Grandpa (a Cattle farmer) before me, I have an enormous admiration for and fascination with cattle. I Especially adore Jersey cows for their rich creamy caramel soft gradient hides, and encircled beautiful eyes and long lashes. Needless to say I really appreciate Demarchelier's propensity to shoot couture editorials with farm animals!