Sending a message of peace and prosperity across, she demonstrated how a contrast of different colours radiates when put into harmony. Blending the traditional symbols of peace with modern style, Turkish fashion designer Rabia Yalcin wowed a huge audience at the inauguration of ‘Reflect Your Light with Kutnu’ project in Doha.
Produced in Gaziantep, Turkey since the 16th century, Kutnu was the first fabric to have the art of printing. An important element of the Silk Road and used in the caftans of the Sultans, Kutnu was seen as a symbol of power and nobility and was referred to as the Fabric of the Palace.
A blend of silk and cotton, Kutnu is considered the pinnacle of the art of weaving, and symbolically it has a great history woven into it. ‘Reflect Your Light with Kutnu’ project organised under the patronage of Dr Sare Davutoglu, spouse of Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu, witnessed its world premiere in Doha with a dazzling fashion show at RitzCarlton.
Organised in collaboration with Turkish Exporters Assembly (T?M) and the support of Turkish embassy in Doha, the project showcased the grandeur of the Kutnu fabric, an embodiment of unique values of a powerful history, through the colourful collection by Yalcin.
“The Kutnu is a very traditional Turkish fabric. It is part of history attached with the Silk Road/Route which signifies bringing together peace, stability and the understanding of cultures. We need peace and stability in the world right now,” Ahmet Demirok, Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar, tells Community after the conclusion of the show, attended by a large number of diplomats and fashionistas from Qatar and Turkey.
“This is why we want to use these events because the world at the moment is going through a very difficult time. We need to bring people together. We would like to promote our culture and products as well,” said Demirok, adding that the fashion show was organised first in Qatar and will be taken to other countries as well.
Kutnu, he said, is a product from 16th century from Gaziantep in South Eastern Turkey and is very popular. “We are revitalising and reviving this (traditional) culture. It is very important for us. We would thus like to continue to unearth all such hidden treasures,” said the Turkish ambassador.
He said the Turkish embassy in Doha often organises events to promote their culture. Last month there was a Presidential Symphony Orchestra. They would continue to show different parts of Turkish culture, both traditional and modern, said Demirok.
‘Reflect your light with Kutnu’ is not just a collection. It is the re-introduction of the unique historical fabric Kutnu to the world. It is a call for ‘peaceful coexistence’ to the world through the story of Kutnu.
Dubbed as an intercultural bridge between the past and the future, the collection re-positioned Kutnu as a fabric of all times which passed from Anatolian Seljuks to Ottomans, finding life on the looms of the respectful craftsmen of Gaziantep.
“The whole concept, in fact, is of peace. The theme represents the loneliness of the mothers who have lost their sons. It reminds the world of the importance of peace in the world. Kutnu reminds us of the past where we were all living in unity. Unfortunately mothers have been the worst sufferers (in absence of peace),” Rabia Yalcin, the designer, tells Community.
Talking about the collection, she said she used the rainbow colours in this collection along with some intermediate colours.
“I wanted to use a contrast of colours just to show that there are different colours of people in the world and how they look good together in harmony,” said the designer.
She has used leather, silk and cotton together with Kutnu. Kutnu is still being produced and being sold in Turkey. The production pitch may not be very high because the process involving manufacturing it takes more effort.
Yalcin admits it was difficult putting Kutnu together with other materials and fabrics. “It is as difficult as attaining peace,” she laughs.
The fashion designer said she started designing from a very early age. The talent was always there; it was just a matter of time before it shone through. She was effectively designing from the age of five, initially for herself.
“People on the street would ask me where you got your clothes designed. When I would tell them I did it myself, they would ask me to design for them as well. This talent was God-gifted and I decided to share it with others,” said Yalcin.
She decided to work with Kutnu as she believed it was a “lonely fabric.”
“It had great value but it was abandoned. I wanted to give it a place it deserved,” Yalcin explained.
She designs the whole wardrobe. She has clients who call her and place orders for different dresses and she designs according to their demands which includes ready-to-wear, formal and business dresses, bridal and others.
Rabia Yalç?n’s creations represent the synthesis of regional and universal cultures from the time of the Ottoman Empire to the present. Influenced by her native country’s history, Rabia’s collections are rooted in the opulence of the Ottoman rule, a time in which dress makers dedicated great time and care into creating lavish wardrobes.
Her pieces and handmade accessories reveal intricate embroidery and detail inspired by rich history; these are interwoven with modern fabric, all fit for today’s women.
“I want to give femininity to women. I want them to realise their femininity and feel the power,” said Yalcin. It was her first trip to Doha and she said she liked being here. “I would really want to sell my products here but before that I would want to win the hearts of the Qatari women. We will take this show to some other countries and may be, in future, I might come back here, possibly with some local stores,” said the designer.
Emphasising the importance of peaceful coexistence, the project will be launched in many countries after Qatar, in accordance with ‘Turkey-Discover the Potential’ motto.