Fashion and Textiles Turkmenistan

This website is an ongoing expression of the creative developments of Project Cheper which aims to revive the traditional textiles of Turkmenistan and to preserve their methods and techniques. A series of exchange  projects for Turkmen  women began in 2005 as one aspect of the dialogue fostered by the Cultural Directory of Turkmenistan, see www.turkmen.co.uk.

 

One such exchange in February 2006, sponsored by the British Embassy in Ashgabat, was focused on contemporary fashion design. Knitting machines were introduced in the hope that indigenous high quality, hand-spun fibres can be adapted for machine knitting with the addition of embroidery to decorate and enhance the new knitwear. The Ministry of Textiles’ House of Fashion in Ashgabat shared ideas for designing and making garments that show how traditional embroidery techniques can be reinterpreted in a contemporary manner on 21stC fashion garments. Strong links with the Carpet Museum hold a wealth of inspirational information for designers. Turkmen fashion models are another integral part of this project, since their professional presentation shows the clothes in the best possible light. This will be evident as projects continue.