May 10, 2022 10:31 (UTC+04:00)
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By Laman Ismayilova
The Stone Chronicle Museum hosted a stunning parade with the motto “Karabakh is Azerbaijan! Shusha – from tradition to future”.
The fascinating fashion show was organized with the support of the House of Traditional Clothes of Baku.
The parade was dedicated to the victory, achieved as a result of the Second Karabakh War and the Year of Shusha in Azerbaijan.
During the fashion show, models presented 40 stunning national costumes related to Karabakh, especially Shusha as well as arakhchin (headgear). The traditional costumes aroused great interest.
Traditional dresses in Azerbaijan are varied and come in many shapes and colors.
National costumes are original and beautiful. They are crisp, comfortable and beautifully designed.
Archaeologists discovered a bronze needle and awl referring to the beginning of the Bronze Age during archaeological excavations in the territory of Azerbaijan.
Silk clothes found in the Mingachevir catacombs are referred to the V-VI centuries AD. All these finds prove that ancient Azerbaijanis could sew on their own.
In the 17th century, Azerbaijan was known as the largest silk-producing country in the Middle East. Shirvan province was the largest sericulture region. Moreover, Shamaxi, Basgal, Ganja, Shaki and Shusha regions were also famous for silk production.
Women’s outfit
The traditional dress is made of delicate embroidery and bright colors, where red dominates.
In the past, brides wore a red wedding dress. In Baku, a bride wears a white dress with a beautiful red silk sash tied around her waist. For Azerbaijanis, the color red is a symbol of well-being and happiness.
Young girls wore bright dresses decorated with various golden patterns. Therefore, a bright color scheme is a distinctive feature of the national costume of Azerbaijani women.
Fabrics, used in traditional costumes, include silk, linen, wool or cotton. The finishing of the garments could make the simplest outfit look expensive and rich in a suit. With the use of lace and gold and silver threads, the craftsmen have created a real work of art. Coins were used from precious metals as ornaments that could be collected by entire generations.
The traditional attire of typical Azerbaijani women consists of underwear and outerwear and clothing for the upper and lower body. A bag-like covering veil was an important part of the costume, which women wore when going out. Women also wore a short jacket called arkhalig with long sleeves, fitted at the back and chest, with a wide opening in the front.
Unmarried girls covered their heads with arakhchin decorated with embroidery. The top of an arakhchin was covered with kelagayi.
Men’s outfit
Men’s suits have always represented the class belonging of its owner. National men’s clothing in the 19th century included underwear and overcoats. Men’s overshirts were of two types: mid-high collar and side collar. Both had small yokes. Men’s shirts were usually made of satin.
Arkhalig was cut at the waist and tight at the body. Gaba was a male humeral overgarment, which was sewn from tirme. Chukha, humeral outerwear, was detachable at the waist, with layers and gathers. It was sewn of fabric, tirme and home-woven textile. The Kurk fur coat was lamb fur, unfastened. Its collar was decorated with embroidery. Papaq or hat was considered a symbol of courage, honor and dignity of men in Azerbaijan.
It was the most popular headdress for men which was usually sewn with lamb fur.
Although in modern times Azerbaijanis do not wear traditional clothes in their daily life, national costumes have inspired many fashion designers.
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Laman Ismayilova is the journalist of AzerNews, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova
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