Decorative elements in Turkish garment culture from past to future: Art of embroidery

Abstract

Garment used to protect people from climatic influences in ancient times have turned into a phenomenon to decorate outer body of humans with their aesthetical pleasure as well as functionality through historical times. With the influences of covering, protection requirements, environmental factors, internal dynamics which form society (religion, race, language, customs and traditions) personality structures in process of being individual, likes and clothing with the influence in change in life and thinking style clothing takes attraction as being second skin as well as its ornamental factors. Turkish garment culture has been influenced by various factors from past to future, carrying garments embroidered with decorative features thanks to aesthetical pleasure from tradition to future. The purpose of the present study is to examine decorative elements adding an aesthetical value to what is worn as well as to development of Turkish wearing culture through its historical process. The study can describe decorative embroidery aspects applied to garments for embroidery purposes as embroidery art ornamental sewing techniques, those created by various accessories and those produced by dying-printing technique. This research study conducted on embroidery art shows that embroidery art to add aesthetical dimension is of great importance in our materialistic culture creations. Two methods were employed in the study for examining the samples of embroidery arts. The first method consists of literature scanning and the second includes museum and design examinations of designs of fashion designer Bahar Korcan's collections with her permission. Information from literature and works selected from Sadberk Hanim Museum Collection were examined for the examples of embroidery arts used in traditional clothing. Zuhal Yorgancioglu and Bahar Korcan's works were included in the examples where Turkish embroidery arts from past to present day were interpreted by Fashion designers.