Paul Ropp and Fashion of Bali
Bali truly is the destination for Eat. Pray. Love. The island is amazingly carefree and the clothes reflect that lifestyle as well. Liberating. Colorful. Playful. The island is a haven for surfers and beach bums alike, with an abundance of travelers, photographers, soul-searchers flocking to its shores each year.
Ultimately I am a surfer girl at heart, so of course when planning on where to stay, I settled for Padang Padang - right smack in the heart of surf nation and Billabong HQ.
I tend to explore culture through clothes and fashion - after all what you decide to throw on your back reveals a lot about a person! And that is how I absolutely fell in love with the Balinese fashion house of Paul Ropp, a high end designer who found inspiration in the midst of the crazy, unpredictable yet deeply engulfing streets of Asia, India, and Bali in particular. Paul saw the beauty in the people and the music during the 70’s and walked away with a true vision to create clothes that are not only wearable but “magnificent heirloom treasures”.
His clothes exude the feeling of boundless freedom. Sourcing the most luxurious (but still breathable) fabrics from India, Paul’s clothes are meant to be worn. The fabrics move beautifully, and most importantly - it breathes in the tropical humidity that is Bali. I hate impractical designs. What good are pretty clothes if you can’t wear them?!? Paul Ropp’s designs flows and in a word, brings joy. Each garment is unique, intricately stitched with exquisite detailing.
Candy Apple Red Silk Woven Skirt, and Necklace by Paul Ropp. 2018.
Staying true to its inspirations, all fabrics and materials in Paul Ropp’s line are handmade and produced using traditional techniques – most fabrics like natural silks and chiffons are made in India. I’d like to emphasize this detail as it speaks to the quality of this line - the most exquisite silks imaginable. I am very picky with it comes to silk and where it is sourced. Whether its from captive-bred silkworms that produce tough, stiff, less durable silk, or Mulberry silks that have a strict diet and produce the softest finest silks in the world.
Silk chiffon Beach Dress by Paul Ropp. 2018.
From elegant evening resort dresses to flowing beachy kaftans finished in a golden bead-banded waist, Paul Ropp has got every occasion covered. Guys too! Patchwork shirts and flowing lightweight yoga pants to put you in the vacation mood.
Paul created a more sustainable fashion industry model. Not a scrap of fabric goes to waste inside the factory. To that end, scrap fabric gets combined and transformed into unique accessories and necklaces (pictured above), bags, belts, and even earrings. It is truly an honor to be wearing one of his beautiful works of art.
While Bali may seem like a small island, there is a lot to see and a lot of ground to cover! The vibe on the island is very Zen and carefree. Ubud is rich in Balinese cuisine and wildlife. It features expansive jungles and local craft markets - very remote! If you want more of a city feel and less walking about, Seminyak, Canggu, or Uluwatu will all have centralized shopping malls and English speakers everywhere.