It created a new wave for us Nepalese and the fashion world when Varsha Thapa flaunted her lacha dhago at Vogue, the popular and best magazine in celebrity style, in 2018. The Vogue article was titled, 'Meet the Nepalese Model Whose Ribbon Braids Are a New York Street Style Phenomenon'. Varsha commonly wears her dhago in her music videos, campaign shoots, and Instagram posts.
"Lacha Dhago" is a hair accessory worn by married women in Nepal. Most mothers and grandmothers in Nepal own this. Dancers and performers also traditionally wear them. Lacha dhago is a tassel made from threads that you can divide and braid. At the end of the tassel are various designs of aligned beads, small circular mirrors patched with different colored threads and patterns. Each lacha dhago is unique in color and design. The commonly seen colors of lachas are black, grey, and green. The most famous and prominent color is red. Red symbolizes womanhood in Nepal. A married woman celebrates and uses the color red in her daily life.
Nowadays, Nepali women spread near and far from borders wear these lachas and flaunt them in the streets and on social media posts. The lacha dhago is eye-catching, vibrant, unique, and a powerful symbol of women in Nepal. It is a celebration of fashion and culture. Braiding home in your hair is a powerful feeling.
Rajasi, who's currently in Seoul, Korea says, "I carried my lacha from Nepal. It reminds me of the women in my country, the strong bold women who make me feel at peace. I've seen my grandmother use lacha dhago every day."
Lacha dhago is found commonly in the shops and local cosmetic stores in Nepal. Companies and brands have started exporting them across borders. Lacha dhago has caught the attention of international magazines and eyes, and has become very influential in the fashion world.
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