Overview
On first encounter, an immediately obvious difference between European and Pacific peoples was their appearance, including their garments. Ideas about clothing were rapidly transferred. Woven into the fabrics in this section is evidence of this exchange – of forms, materials, and technologies.
Some Pacific people began wearing European attire. Into customary forms, they incorporated new symbols, techniques, and textiles, including materials from other Pacific islands. And they used indigenous materials to make introduced accessories and styles of dress. Some new forms, like tīvaevae (quilts), have since become embedded into the cultural fabric of the Pacific.
Europeans took on new forms too. Some donned cloaks, adopted tattoos, or began experimenting with indigenous Pacific motifs and materials. You can see more examples of this artistic exploration in the section called ‘Island flavour’.