CultureSeptember 3, 2026

appliqu

AP-li-kay

Definition

A decorative piece of fabric, metal, or other material—often in a specific shape—that is stitched or attached onto a larger garment or base material.

Etymology

The word comes from the French verb 'appliquer,' meaning 'to put or apply.' It entered English in the 19th century to describe the needlework technique of attaching ornamental patterns to fabric.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe a detailed, bedazzled spider design attached to a high-fashion shoe, emphasizing how the styling choices helped Zendaya embody the character MJ.

Straight Off the Runway: What Zendaya & Law Roach Can Teach Us About Dressing for the Moment

Read the full article ↗

Gaye Magazine

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