Introduction to Ottoman Textiles with Concepts of Luxecycling

Background Information

Laptop cover produced at last
workshop by Nausheen S.

The traditional textiles resonate humility and beauty. The substance of art is beauty and this is a Divine quality. The traditional crafts are derived from the intertwining of wisdom (hikmah) and craftsmanship (fann or sinaah). Luxecycling, the latest way to revamp, is about producing polished, exquisitely made pieces and reworking the vintage.

This course is an introduction to the techniques, symbolism and application of these traditional textiles. Students will be given a basic understanding of textile design created by Geometry and 'Islimi' (also known as the Arabesque), textural qualities and harmony of colours. These techniques will be applied with the concepts of luxecycling to produce a textile piece which combines the old with the new, the traditional with the contemporary.

Students interested further can take up the complete 4-week course for a more in-depth study on the subject.

Expected Outcomes

• Design sketches and colour schemes inspired by traditional textiles

• An understanding of luxecycling and the reworking of the vintage as well as fusion of the traditional in a contemporary style

• Summary of the design process with stages and concepts