summer party dresses

Balinese artisan Endah creates this delightful caftan. Crafted from flowing rayon, the caftan is decorated using the batik method; a wax resist is stamped by hand onto the fabric before it is treated with colorful dyes, resulting in lemon yellow leaf motifs against a body of turquoise. A tie cinches this poncho at the waist for a flirty look. This multi-functional piece can be worn as a beach cover-up, a summery short dress or a relaxed top.

Make a big splash with this stylish beaded necklace from Tiraphan Hasub in Thailand. The dramatic cord necklace features myriad turquoise-hued calcite chips knotted together, topped with shiny brass beads for contrast. The necklace fastens with a toggle crafted of cool calcite nuggets.

The 17th-century Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, best known for erecting the Taj Mahal, built Delhi's Red Fort as his capital in 1648. Its intricate architectural details have inspired artists ever since, including the designer of this heavily embroidered all-cotton tunic. The dramatic tunic features ivory soutache embroidery at the neckline, cuffs and hem, as well as glistening white sequins.